NEIL obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1989 from the University of Toronto, his law degree from UBC in 1992, and his MBA from the University of Toronto in 2001. Neil was called to the bar in 1994 and has been a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada since that time.

As a practicing lawyer, Neil's practice has focused exclusively on insurance defence and commercial litigation, where he has handled a broad range of matters before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. He has developed specific expertise in the resolution of partnership disputes, as well as priority disputes between insurers and management of accident benefits claims. In addition to practicing law, Neil spent two years in the securities industry working in corporate finance for an investment management/merchant banking firm. In that role, he dealt extensively with the community of investment advisors and financial planners and was involved in issues relating to corporate governance in publicly listed companies.

Neil lives in Toronto with his wife and daughters. In his spare time, he plays guitar, golfs, skis, and is a self-confessed newspaper junkie.