The Honourable R. John Harper, a Judge of the Superior
Court of Justice of Ontario (London), is appointed Senior Judge of
the Family Court Branch (Toronto) to replace Madam Justice M.J.
Hatton, who was transferred to Durham effective August 6, 2010.
Mr. Justice Harper was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of
Justice in 2006. He received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Dalhousie
Law School in 1972 and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1974. Prior
to his appointment, he was a senior partner with Harper Jaskot. He
has been a member and vice-chair of the Board of Directors of the Community
Child Abuse Council (2005). He was past chairman of the Development
Committee for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and
past president of the Hamilton Law Association. He was recognized as
a certified specialist in family law by the Law Society of Upper Canada
in 1996. He has been a prolific writer and lecturer on family law matters.
The Honourable M. Gregory Ellies, partner with Lucenti,
Orlando & Ellies Professional Corporation in North Bay, is appointed
a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Sault Ste. Marie
to replace Mr. Justice G. Tranmer, who was transferred to Kingston
effective July 5, 2010.
Mr. Justice Ellies received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1981 and
a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1984 from the University of Western Ontario.
He was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1986.
Mr. Justice Ellies has been a partner with Lucenti, Orlando & Ellies
since 1997. He was also a partner at Donnelly, Birnie (1990-1997),
Birnie & McMillan (1988-1990) and at Ellies & Saltstone (1986-1988).
His main areas of practice were civil litigation and criminal law.
He was recognized as a certified specialist in civil litigation in
2004.
Mr. Justice Ellies was a member of the Ontario Bar Association, the
Advocates’ Society and the Criminal Lawyers Association (1999-2006).
He taught criminal and constitutional law part-time at Nipissing University
(1987-1989) and is a current member of the Board of Governors. He has
been a frequent speaker at schools, Canadore College, Nipissing University
and the Rotary Club.
The Honourable John M. Johnston, a sole practitioner
in Brockville, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice
of Ontario (Brockville) to replace Madam Justice H. Pierce, who was
appointed Regional Senior Judge, Northwest Region, (Thunder Bay) on
July 31, 2009. This vacancy was transferred to Brockville.
Mr. Justice Johnston received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Queen’s
University and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Calgary.
He was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1989.
Mr. Justice Johnston has been a sole practitioner since 1996. He was
a partner at Beale, MacIntosh, Lewis and Johnston (1991-1996) and at
Beale, MacIntosh, Lewis, O’Shaughnessy and Johnston (1989-1991).
His main areas of practice include criminal law, family, litigation,
wills and estates and child welfare.
Mr. Justice Johnston is currently Chair of the Board of Directors
of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Leeds-Grenville Branch and
member since 2001. He was President of the Leeds-Grenville Law Association
(2006-2007) and member of the Legal Aid Committee in Brockville since
2002.
