The Ontario government has announced the appointment of four new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective June 13, 2024. The newly appointed judges are Michael David Frank, Joseph Hanna, Courtney Harris, and Liana Marcon.
Justice Michael David Frank
Justice Michael David Frank, who was called to the Ontario bar in 1993, has an extensive background in family and estate law. He established his own practice in 2002, specializing in litigation, mediation, and resolution of family and estate law cases. Since 2000, Justice Frank has also served as a panel lawyer for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, assisting children in child protection and civil family law cases, and providing independent legal advice in adoption matters.
Justice Frank has contributed to the legal community through his involvement with the Essex Law Association and the bench-bar committee. He has also been a presenter for continuing education programs focused on child protection and courtroom civility. His volunteer work includes serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1995 and coaching for the Lasalle Minor Hockey Association.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Frank to Windsor.
Justice Joseph Hanna
Justice Joseph Hanna, called to the Ontario bar in 2007, began his legal career as an articling student before becoming an assistant Crown attorney in the Scarborough Crown Attorney’s Office. His career includes positions at the Crown Law Office Criminal and the Toronto Summary Conviction Appeals and Extraordinary Remedies Office. Justice Hanna has prosecuted a variety of criminal cases in both the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, and has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Justice Hanna has been active in the community, helping students prepare for mock trials, judging moot competitions, and serving as a board member and chair of the Community Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Whitby. He has also volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program and coached youth soccer for the Whitby Football Club.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Hanna to Oshawa.
Justice Courtney Harris
Justice Courtney Harris was called to the Ontario bar in 2003 and started her career in the litigation group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. She later practiced family law and served as Crown counsel at the Ministry of Labour, prosecuting provincial offences. Justice Harris spent a decade as Crown counsel at the Constitutional Law Branch for the Ministry of the Attorney General, litigating before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She also served as counsel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and as a judicial research lawyer for the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
A mental health advocate, Justice Harris co-created the Law Society of Ontario Summit on Mental Health and co-founded Voices for Mental Health. Her contributions have been recognized with the Deputy Attorney General’s Award of Excellence and the Mental Health Champion Award. She has also volunteered as a judge for the Wilson Moot and co-taught a course on constitutional litigation at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. In 2023, she received the Laura Legge Award from the Law Society of Ontario for her leadership in the profession.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Harris to Chatham.
Justice Liana Marcon
Justice Liana Marcon, called to the Ontario bar in 1998, began her legal career as an articling student at Seabrook, Epstein, Ste. Marie and Miller. She then worked as a defence lawyer before becoming an assistant Crown attorney in Brampton, Orangeville, and Milton. In 2015, she became the Crown attorney in Dufferin County, where she managed assistant Crown attorneys and conducted trials.
Justice Marcon has been involved in various volunteer activities, including work at Anova Women’s Shelter, assisting children with special needs at SARI Therapeutic Riding, and volunteering for sports organizations such as Guelph Soccer. She has also been a board member for Active Lives, supporting adults with exceptionalities.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Marcon to Oshawa.
These appointments highlight the diverse experiences and contributions of the new judges, who will now serve in their respective communities across Ontario.
