Speaker

Jim Lawson,
Woodbine Entertainment Group

Mr. Lawson is Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group, Canada’s largest racetrack operator. Mr. Lawson is active in the Canadian Horse Racing Industry as a breeder and owner and his father is in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Mr. Lawson recently stepped down as Chairman of the Jockey Club of Canada after holding that position for five years and remains on the Board of Stewards of the JCC.

Mr. Lawson is currently the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Football League, a professional sports league located in Canada. Mr. Lawson has also served recently as the Commissioner of the CFL.

Mr. Lawson also served over the course of his career as a Partner at Torys LLP and at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP and as the Senior Vice President of XO Communications Canada. Mr. Lawson was Co-Chair of the Finance and Real Estate Group at Torys LLP from 2001 – 2004. He has served on a number of public (Toronto Stock Exchange) boards including Algoma Steel Inc., Zargon Energy Trust and Countryside Power Income Fund.

Mr. Lawson is a graduate of Brown University, (A.B. Economics, magna cum laude) and University of Western Ontario (LLB). Following undergraduate studies, Mr. Lawson signed a professional hockey contract with Montreal Canadiens and spent most of his professional career with Montreal’s A.H.L. affiliate Nova Scotia Voyageurs.

Mr. Lawson resides in Oakville, Ontario with his wife Sue and 3 children. Mr. Lawson is active in youth amateur sports, community and charitable activities.