New Superior Court Appointments in March 2025
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has announced the appointment of several distinguished members to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and its Family Court.
These appointments, made under the judicial appointments process of the Government of Canada, reflect the continued commitment to ensuring a judiciary that is both representative and exemplary in its service to justice.
Minister Virani expressed his confidence in the new appointees, stating, 'I wish Justices Brochu, Derstine, Spurgeon, Mathai, Lepere, Bateman, and Naik every success as they take on their new roles, serving their communities and upholding the administration of justice in Ontario.'
Justice Chantal M. Brochu
Apoointed as judge of the superior court of justice in Thunder Bay. Brochu is replacing Justice Bonnie Warkentin who resigned September 2024.
Brochu previously served as a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ) in Thunder Bay. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Université de Moncton in 1999 and was admitted to the Law Society of Ontario in 2001. Appointed to the OCJ in 2017, Justice Brochu served as a local administrative judge in Thunder Bay starting in 2021, where she presided over numerous family and criminal matters in both English and French. Prior to her judicial appointment, she practiced as a partner at Buset & Partners LLP, focusing on civil litigation and insurance law.
Justice Andrew J. Spurgeon
Appointed as a judge of the Superior Court of Justice in Brantford. Spurgeon acquired a law degree at Osgoode Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1995. Spurgeon held various leadership roles within the legal community and served as counsel at Ross & McBridge LLP where he practiced civil litigation.
Previously, Spurgeon acted as president of the Hamilton Law Association, served as a deputy judge of small claims court, as well as a professor at the University of Western Ontario. He has also served as an LSO bencher.
Sunil S. Mathai
Named Superior Court judge in Oshawa. He replaced Justice Hugh K. O'Connel in Durham who resigned in September 2024. Mathai was general counsel at the Minister of the Attorney General of Ontario in Toronto.
Mathai obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa and was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2004. His legal career has encompassed complex civil litigation, administrative law, and Crown liability. He has also handled criminal appeals at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and served as counsel at both Falconers LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon.
Michael P.D. Derstine
Succeeding Justice Ivan Bloom of the Superior Court of Justice in Brampton is Justice Michael P.D. Derstine
Justice Derstine holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, obtained in 1992, and was called to the Ontario bar in 1993. A co-founder of Derstine Penman (now Derstine Bariteau) in 1999, Justice Derstine has practiced as a criminal trial lawyer for over three decades, conducting numerous jury trials in both official languages, including over 100 homicide trials. His practice has been distinguished by his dedication to the defense of serious indictable offenses.
Robin A. Lepere
Appointed as a judge of the Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay, succeeding Justice Robbie D. Gordon, who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective June 30. Justice Lepere earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario in 2005 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2006. Her diverse practice has encompassed estate litigation, construction litigation, and corporate/commercial litigation. Justice Lepere has served as President of the Thunder Bay Law Association and as a director on the board of the Advocates' Society.
Paula L Bateman
Appointed as judge of the Superior Court's Family Court in Newmarket.
Bateman graduated from Osgoode Hall in 1989 and was called to the Ontario bar in 1991. A dedicated practitioner of family law, she has specialized in high-conflict parenting and complex property disputes throughout her career. Justice Bateman has also served as a dispute resolution officer and held leadership positions within the legal community.
Vasundhara Naik
Appointed as a judge of the Superior Court's Family Court in Ottawa.
Naik holds a bachelor of arts and bachelor of laws from the National Law School of India University. She also has a Master of Laws in human rights and intellectual property law from Lund, Sweden.
Admitted to the bar in New Delhi in 1998 and the Ontario bar in 2010, she has practiced primarily in family, child protection, and adoption law. Justice Naik has also taught advocacy at the University of Ottawa and served on the board of the Community Legal Services Ottawa Clinic.