Peter J. Cullen
Counsel
Contact
TEL 514 373-4952
Peter joined the firm as counsel in March 2023 after a long and successful career at a leading national business law firm, where he was a partner, chaired the National Risk Management Committee and served on the National Professional Ethics Committee.
He represents leading maritime transportation companies in Canada and internationally in complex commercial transactions, including vessel construction and major conversion projects, purchases and sales, contracts of carriage and other matters, as well as in dispute resolution. He also advises financial institutions, P&I clubs and Canadian and foreign marine insurers, including members of Lloyd’s and London, European and Asian markets.
His practice also includes general commercial insurance, energy insurance involving construction, exploration and development, and coverage and liability matters.
He appears before the Federal Court, the courts of Quebec and Ontario, and arbitral tribunals. He occasionally acts as an arbitrator.
Education
Bar admission: Quebec Bar, 1981
Law Society of Ontario, 1990
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, Diploma in International Arbitration, 2017
McGill University, JD/LL.B., 1980
McGill University, B.C.L., 1979
University of New Brunswick, B.A., 1975
Professional involvement
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, FCIArb, Peter also served on the Council of the Canadian Bar Association, including as Chair of the National Sections Council and the National Maritime Law Section, and was an active member of the International Bar Association as North American Regional Officer of the Transport Law Committee.
He is listed as an arbitrator with the International Arbitration Group of the Canadian Council for International Business, affiliated with ICC Paris, is an arbitrator member and director of the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, and is a member of the Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
President from 2003 to 2005 and an honorary life member of the Canadian Maritime Law Association, he is also a member of the Comité Maritime International. Active in the community, he served as a Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation and chaired the board of Dans la Rue for several years.
Recognitions
Chambers Canada 2027, Senior Statesperson in Transportation: Shipping
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2026, leading practitioner in transportation and maritime law
The Legal 500 Canada 2026, leading practitioner in shipping
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022, alternative dispute resolution, insurance law, international arbitration and maritime law
Languages
French, English
Other interests
Peter enjoys many outdoor activities and is an avid reader, particularly of history and current affairs.