Ontario Attorney General: Appoints 5 New Davidson Decker Jacula Midwood Nadler Ontario Judges

• Five new judges, Brent Ian Davidson, Vanessa Elizabeth Decker, Mark Andrew Jacula, Andrew David Midwood, and Cindy Nadler, have been appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice.
• These judicial appointments, announced by Attorney General Doug Downey, became effective on August 27.
• Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas assigned the new judges to Kenora-Fort Frances, London, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Hamilton.
• The appointees bring diverse legal backgrounds, including extensive experience as Crown attorneys, defense counsel, and specialists in areas such as organized crime, intimate partner violence, and firearms prosecutions.
• The appointments aim to bolster the provincial court's capacity and expertise across various jurisdictions in Ontario.

Lawyers practicing criminal law in these specific areas—Kenora-Fort Frances, London, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Hamilton—should familiarize themselves with the backgrounds and previous experience of these new judges, as their unique professional histories may influence judicial approaches and court proceedings in their respective jurisdictions.

The Ontario Court of Justice has expanded its bench with the appointment of five new judges: Brent Ian Davidson, Vanessa Elizabeth Decker, Mark Andrew Jacula, Andrew David Midwood, and Cindy Nadler. These Davidson Decker Jacula Midwood Nadler Ontario judges officially commenced their new roles on August 27, following an announcement by Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey last week. Their appointments underscore a commitment to bolstering judicial capacity across the province.

Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned these new judicial appointments Ontario to specific jurisdictions. Justice Davidson will preside in Kenora-Fort Frances, while Justice Decker has been assigned to London. Justice Jacula will serve in Oshawa, Justice Midwood in Peterborough, and Justice Nadler in Hamilton. These strategic placements aim to address the judicial needs of these regions, bringing experienced legal professionals to local courts.

The newly appointed judges bring a wealth of diverse legal experience to the Ontario Court of Justice. Brent Ian Davidson judge, called to the Manitoba bar in 1999, spent a significant portion of his career with the Manitoba Prosecution Service. He began as a Crown attorney in the criminal organization unit, later transitioning to youth prosecutions before returning to organized crime in 2008 as a senior Crown, focusing on firearms and illicit drugs. By 2016, he was named the MPS's general counsel, having appeared before the Manitoba Provincial Court and the Manitoba Court of King's Bench.

Vanessa Elizabeth Decker judge, an alumna of York University's Osgoode Hall Law School and called to the Ontario bar in 2013, served for 11 years as an assistant Crown attorney in London, specializing in intimate partner violence, Gladue matters, and internet child exploitation. She was promoted to deputy Crown attorney in 2024 and has appeared before both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Her community involvement includes volunteering with the London Food Bank and the Child Abuse Prevention Council of London & Middlesex, as well as serving on the board of London Bridge Child Care Services.

Mark Andrew Jacula judge, called to the Ontario bar in 2005, brings experience from both prosecution and defense. He chaired the Durham Region Law Association from 2018 to 2024 and worked as defense counsel with Kelly Greenway Bruce. Earlier in his career, he conducted drug prosecutions for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada before establishing Jacula Law in 2008, where he specialized in criminal law. He has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice.

Andrew David Midwood, who became a provincial prosecutor after his 2010 call to the Ontario bar, later served as an assistant Crown attorney in Durham, Scarborough, and Bracebridge. He moved to Peterborough in 2013, becoming acting Crown attorney in 2021, and rejoined the Durham Crown Attorney's Office as an assistant Crown in 2022. He has appeared before both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice and has coached local high school mock trial competitions. Cindy Nadler, called to the Ontario bar in 2009, was a founding member of the Intensive Firearm Bail program at the Peel Crown Attorney's Office, where she handled intimate partner violence cases. She transitioned to the guns and gangs unit in 2023, focusing on firearms trafficking and wiretap prosecutions, and was appointed acting deputy Crown attorney in Peel last year. She has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice and has served as a judge for the Peel Justice Education Network's annual mock trial tournament.

The strategic assignment of these new judges to specific regions by Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas will have a direct impact on the local justice systems. Justice Davidson's extensive background in organized crime and youth prosecutions in Manitoba will now be applied to cases in Kenora-Fort Frances. Justice Decker's specialization in intimate partner violence and internet child exploitation will be invaluable in London, a significant urban center.

Justice Jacula's blend of defense and prosecution experience, including drug prosecutions, will serve the Oshawa court, while Justice Midwood's long tenure as a Crown attorney will benefit Peterborough. Finally, Justice Nadler's expertise in firearms trafficking and wiretap prosecutions, developed in Peel, will now be brought to the Hamilton jurisdiction. Lawyers practicing criminal law in these specific areas—Kenora-Fort Frances, London, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Hamilton—should familiarize themselves with the backgrounds and previous experience of these new judges, as their unique professional histories may influence judicial approaches and court proceedings in their respective jurisdictions.

The addition of these new judges Ontario Court of Justice represents a significant enhancement to the province's judicial resources. Each appointee brings specialized knowledge and extensive courtroom experience, which will contribute to the efficient and effective administration of justice. These appointments reflect an ongoing effort to ensure that the Ontario Court of Justice is well-equipped to handle the diverse and complex legal challenges facing communities across the province.

Lawyers practicing criminal law in Ontario, particularly in Kenora-Fort Frances, London, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Hamilton, should familiarize themselves with the backgrounds and previous experience of these new judges, as it may influence court proceedings and judicial approaches in their respective jurisdictions.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Lawyer