The Ontario government has announced the appointment of Justice David Isbester to the Ontario Court of Justice, with the new role set to take effect on October 12, 2023.
Justice Isbester was initially called to the Ontario bar in 2008 and began his legal career as an assistant Crown attorney in Kingston and Peterborough. He subsequently moved into criminal defence, practicing between 2009 and 2019 in Napanee, Kingston, Belleville, and Picton, and making appearances in both the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice.
In 2019, he transitioned back to prosecution, joining the Cornwall Crown Attorney’s Office as an assistant Crown attorney. He held that position until late 2020 when he moved to the Belleville Crown Attorney’s Office. While in Belleville, Isbester specialized as the designated intimate partner violence prosecutor. His legal experience spans a range of complex and serious cases, including those involving fraud, murder, and sexual violence.
Outside the courtroom, Justice Isbester has been committed to community service. Since 2020, he has been a board member of Morningstar Mission, an organization that aids community members in need of essential services like shelter, clothing, food, and mental health care. He has also worked extensively with children in the foster care system and taught criminal law to high school students. Additionally, he has mentored a number of young lawyers and law students during his career.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Isbester to serve in Thunder Bay. The appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster the bench with seasoned legal professionals.
