Professor Richard H. McLaren, O.C.

Richard McLaren is an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian distinctions. It recognizes exceptional achievement, service and contribution to the country and the international community. He is Counsel to McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP and a Professor of Law at Western University in London, Ontario. An internationally recognized expert in sports law and arbitration, Professor McLaren is involved in the adjudication of sports-related disputes at both the amateur and professional level.

He participated in five Olympic Games during which he resolved disputes pertaining to anti-doping, athlete eligibility and intellectual property rights. McLaren has conducted major independent investigations for the USOPC, WADA and IWF. He was a consultant in the investigation into the illegal use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs by players in Major League Baseball.

McLaren has examined systemic doping and corruption in Russian athletics; lead the investigation into allegations of sample tampering at the Sochi Games and investigated financial fraud and doping irregularities within the International Weightlifting Federation. He led the team that drafted the comprehensive analyses of the Canadian safe sport landscape with its report and recommendations for implementing the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. Most recently, the International Boxing Association retained him to investigate refereeing and judging, governance, and financial irregularities.

McLaren holds the position of Integrity Officer for FIBA and IBA and is the Chief Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer for professional tennis around the world.