John Ratchford is a Partner, General Counsel, and Strategic Communications Practice Lead at Crestview Strategy.
John is a strategic communications expert who offers clients advisory services in crisis and issues management, transaction and litigation communications, and reputation management. He is committed to helping clients respond effectively to complex challenges and advocating on their behalf to resolve their concerns. His previous work at some of the top Canadian public affairs agencies informs his expertise.
John is a practicing lawyer with over two decades of experience providing strategic advice and counsel to senior executives. He has led large corporate transactions, complex legal and regulatory matters, and major public affairs campaigns.
John previously served as Counsel to the Premier of Ontario and practiced law with two of Canada’s leading law firms, Gowlings LLP in Toronto and Stewart McKelvey LLP in Halifax. He has served on several volunteer boards, including the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Arthritis Society, and the United Way of Halifax.
John received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and his LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick. He was called to the bar in Nova Scotia in 1995 (since retired) and to the bar in Ontario in 2000. John is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.