Two new judges, Christopher Chorney and Christa Reccord, have been appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective Oct. 24.
Justice Chorney was called to the Ontario bar in 1996 and began his career practising criminal law as a sole practitioner in Toronto. From 1999 to 2004, he served as an assistant Crown attorney in York Region. His career includes roles in Criminal Law Policy at the Ministry of the Attorney General, counsel at the Office of the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, legal counsel at the Court of Appeal, and Crown counsel at the Crown Law Office–Criminal. Since 2017, he has been an assistant Crown attorney at the Toronto West Crown Attorney’s Office, involved in all aspects of criminal prosecution.
Justice Chorney has volunteered as a mentor with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, counselling legal professionals who have recently immigrated to Canada. He was an adjunct professor of criminology at Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, and has presented at continuing legal education programs for the Ontario Bar Association, Law Society of Ontario, Osgoode Professional Development, and the National Judicial Institute. He also developed an interactive introduction to criminal justice program with the Ontario Justice Education Network. Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Chorney to Walkerton.
Justice Reccord was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador bar in 2003 and to the Ontario bar in 2011. She has spent most of her career as counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, most recently serving as acting deputy chief federal prosecutor, managing the day-to-day operations of the National Capital Regional Office.
Justice Reccord has volunteered as president of the Rotary Club of Ottawa Metro, assisting with the sponsorship of youth exchange students and other youth programs, and participating in fundraising and service activities. She has also volunteered with Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, which provides respite and end-of-life care to families of children with life-limiting illnesses, and has been a member of Barristers for a Better Bytown. Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Reccord to Pembroke.
