A man with Sudbury roots has recently been appointed a judge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa.
Calum MacLeod is the son of former long-time school board trustee and talented pottery artist Muiriel Checkeris (formerly MacLeod) and retired psychiatrist Dr. Eric MacLeod.
The family emigrated from Scotland to Sudbury in 1964, and MacLeod attended Alexander Public School, Wembley Public School and Lockerby Composite School.
MacLeod earned a BA from Queen's University in 1977, his law degree from Queen's in 1980, and was called to the bar in 1983 after articling at the Ombudsman's office in Toronto.
He practised law in Toronto and then Barrie. In 1998, he was appointed a court master in Toronto, and transferred to Ottawa seven years ago, where he filled the same role.
A master takes care of procedural matters in the court system such as conducting case conferences and preparing settlements. MacLeod said he mostly worked in civil and family law as a master.
He said he's looking forward to working as a judge, as he'll be dealing with all aspects of the court system, including criminal law.
“I was telling someone the other day, it's a bit like a software upgrade,” said MacLeod.
“I sort of know how to use the basic software, but there are these advanced features. I have the advantage of working in the court for the last several years. I kind of know my way around, but obviously as a judge, I'll do more trial work.”
People expect the court system to be fair and efficient, he said. “The challenge is always the balance of making sure that everyone gets heard with getting the work done, because there's an endless supply of it, as you might imagine.”
Although he lives in Ottawa, MacLeod said he makes it back to Sudbury often to visit family. He's been married to wife Janice for 35 years, with whom he has three grown (or nearly-grown) children, Erin, Iain and Colin.
