Patricia L. Farnese brings over two decades of diverse legal expertise to her dispute resolution practice, combining rigorous academic analysis with practical commercial and judicial experience to deliver efficient, well-reasoned solutions through arbitration, mediation, and investigations.
Patricia's current appointments reflect her recognized expertise across multiple domains. As Ethics Commissioner for the Cities of Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, she applies her deep understanding of administrative law and governance. Her recent reappointment to a third term on the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal demonstrates her specialized knowledge in agricultural law and regulatory matters. As a Domestic Panel member at VANIAC (Vancouver International Arbitration Centre), she brings her comprehensive dispute resolution experience to commercial arbitration.
Her judicial experience as a Justice of the High Court of Belize (2022-2024) demonstrates her ability to efficiently manage proceedings and deliver well-reasoned decisions across a broad spectrum of civil matters, including commercial disputes, property rights, administrative law, labour, and constitutional issues. Combined with nearly a decade of service on Canadian administrative tribunals, she has authored over 100 decisions, showcasing her exceptional hearing management and decision-writing capabilities.
Patricia's twenty-years as a tenured Law Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, coupled with extensive research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in property, environmental, and agricultural law, enables her to quickly master novel and complex legal issues. Her expertise in comparative law and experience working with Indigenous peoples, NGOs, and governments across multiple legal systems positions her well to navigate complex cross-cultural and inter-state disputes.
Patricia holds a B.A.(hons) from the University of Guelph, and LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan, and a LL.M. in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas. She is also called to the Bar in Saskatchewan, Canada.
