Ontario Court of Justice: Crewe, Ramsay, Trbovich Appointed Judges

• Lori Anne Crewe, John Charles Logue Ramsay, and Anna Lorraine Trbovich have been appointed as new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice.
• Their judicial duties commenced on November 19, following an announcement by Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey on November 10.
• Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Judge Crewe to Pembroke, Judge Ramsay to Cornwall, and Judge Trbovich to Toronto.
• The new judges bring extensive backgrounds in criminal and family law, prosecution, and appellate work to their respective courts.
• These appointments are expected to impact legal proceedings in Pembroke, Cornwall, and Toronto, particularly in criminal and family law cases.

These appointments by Attorney General Doug Downey are poised to introduce a wealth of diverse legal experience to the Ontario Court of Justice, potentially influencing courtroom dynamics and judicial approaches in criminal and family law matters across these key regions.

The Ontario Court of Justice has welcomed three new judges: Lori Anne Crewe, John Charles Logue Ramsay, and Anna Lorraine Trbovich. Their official duties on the bench began on November 19, following an announcement made by Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey on Tuesday, November 10. These significant Ontario judicial appointments are set to bolster the court's capacity and expertise across various regions.

Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has made specific assignments for the newly appointed judges. Judge Crewe will preside in Pembroke, Judge Ramsay has been assigned to Cornwall, and Judge Trbovich will serve in Toronto.

Lori Anne Crewe judge brings a wealth of experience from both prosecution and private practice to her new role in Pembroke. Before her appointment, she served as an assistant Crown attorney within the Pembroke Crown Attorney’s Office. Her background also includes significant time as duty counsel for Legal Aid Ontario, where she represented clients in both criminal and family court proceedings.

Crewe's legal journey began with Hustwick Wetsch Moffat McCrae in Alberta, followed by a period at Wheat Law Office. In 2008, she established her own firm, Crewe Law, which specialized in criminal and family law representation. She also contributed to Renfrew County’s Family Responsibility Office in various per diem capacities, including duty counsel, Crown, and general counsel. Her extensive courtroom experience includes appearances before both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Academically, she earned her law degree from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and was called to the Alberta bar in 2003 and the Ontario bar in 2008. Beyond her legal work, she chaired the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club in Renfrew County.

John Charles Logue Ramsay judge joins the Cornwall bench with a distinguished career as a bilingual assistant Crown attorney, having served with the Ottawa Crown Attorney’s Office since 2008. In this role, he prosecuted serious cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, and firearm offences. His courtroom experience is broad, encompassing appearances before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Review Board, the Mental Health Court, and the Drug Treatment Court.

Beyond his prosecutorial duties, Ramsay contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law. Earlier in his career, he practiced privately with May & Konyer. He obtained his law degree from the McGill University Faculty of Law and was called to the Ontario bar in 2008. Ramsay is also actively involved in his community, serving as a director at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa and maintaining his connection to Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.

Anna Lorraine Trbovich judge brings a strong background in appellate and criminal law to her assignment in Toronto. Prior to her judicial appointment, she held the position of deputy executive legal officer at the Ontario Court of Appeal, where she managed policy and operational matters related to criminal cases. Her experience also includes serving as an assistant Crown attorney at the Toronto West Crown Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted various offences before both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice.

Trbovich joined the Ontario Court of Appeal as a staff lawyer in 2018, providing judges with research assistance and offering policy and operational advice on criminal matters. Her career began as a judicial law clerk for both the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Court of Appeal after being called to the Ontario bar in 2005. She played a key role in establishing the Rosenberg Mentorship Moot, an initiative that pairs junior counsel with experienced mentors to argue mock criminal appeals before the Ontario Court of Appeal and guest judges. Her academic credentials include a law degree from the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law and a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School.

The appointments of Lori Anne Crewe, John Charles Logue Ramsay, and Anna Lorraine Trbovich to the Ontario Court of Justice are significant for the provincial justice system. These appointments by Attorney General Doug Downey are poised to introduce a wealth of diverse legal experience to the Ontario Court of Justice, potentially influencing courtroom dynamics and judicial approaches in criminal and family law matters across these key regions.

Lawyers practicing in Pembroke, Cornwall, or Toronto should take note of these new judicial appointments, as the judges will now preside over cases in their assigned regions. The varied backgrounds of Judge Crewe, Judge Ramsay, and Judge Trbovich, encompassing prosecution, private practice, and appellate work, are expected to shape the judicial landscape and case outcomes in their respective courts.

Lawyers practicing in Pembroke, Cornwall, or Toronto should note the new judicial appointments to the Ontario Court of Justice, as these judges will now preside over cases in those regions, potentially influencing courtroom dynamics and judicial approaches in criminal and family law matters.

Source: Original reporting via legal news outlets