WHAT WAS YOUR PATH INTO LAW AND ONTO THE BENCH?

I am not someone who grew up knowing I wanted to be a lawyer. My passions have always been music and theater in that order. As a young adult, I aspired to be a mid-wife. However, I am a Guyanese born, first born, first generation, Canadian child of immigrant parents. How I ended up in law is informed by my parent’s drive and their ambition for their children.

After graduating from university, I decided to pursue what really interested me at the time. I was passionate about French culture, so I enrolled in an intensive French immersion course at McGill and moved to Montreal. My dad loved it; he heard “French”, and he heard “McGill University.” My intention was to remain in Montreal, but the job market and my French speaking abilities, which were good but not great, thwarted that idea. I returned to Toronto and began working full time as a welfare worker. During this employment, I came to two realizations: the job at welfare was not for me as a long-term career, and a law degree could open doors. It could be a means to an end. I could marry a law degree with my passion for the arts (entertainment law). I learned of a service called the Artists Legal Advice Service that provided summary advice to artists of all disciplines. I did volunteer reception work with this organization and decided to apply to law school.

My interest in entertainment law waned when I started law school primarily because I learned that it was specialized contract law. When I left law school, I articled in civil law because it offered me the most diverse articling experience. It was during my articles and my experience with quasi-criminal matters that I saw the allure of criminal law.

You have asked about my path to the bench. After about 10 or 11 years as a lawyer, I was encouraged by a few judges to apply to the bench. I was flattered as I had never considered it and did not personally know anyone who was a judge, and I thought I could contribute by serving the public in this regard. I applied a few times over the course of a few years, was interviewed almost every time, but was never selected for appointment. I was discouraged. The application process is a difficult one. There is no feedback when you are not the successful candidate, and you only know you have not been successful when you hear that someone else has been appointed. I stopped applying for a few years and after some time, again with encouragement, I decided to give the Ontario Court of Justice (“OCJ”) application process another shot. I am forever grateful to Justice Larry Feldman and Justice Tim Lipson for their encouragement and constant support throughout this process. I was working on a secondment opportunity from my job as a Deputy Crown Attorney, as the acting Director to the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, when I was appointed. At the time of my appointment, I had been a lawyer for 18 years.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR COUNSEL WHO APPEAR BEFORE YOU?

It has been my observation that the most persuasive, effective advocates are those who are prepared, polite, civil, and respectful. It is important that you listen to the court, your client, the witness, the opposing counsel, and ask questions or make submissions that respond to what is being said. The ability to adapt and pivot in my view are characteristics of a superior advocate.  It is important that you are prepared to assist the court. Assistance can take the form of your submissions on substantive legal issues, but it can also take the form of making sure that the materials you provide to the court are organized and easily accessible.