She served as vice-president of regional services at Legal Aid Ontario
The Ontario government has appointed Annik Sonia Wills to the Ontario Court of Justice, with her role becoming effective on September 26.
Justice Wills was called to the Ontario bar in 2005 and is fluent in English and French. She operated a criminal defence practice for a decade, during which she represented clients in both languages before the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Her legal expertise extends to advocating for clients from a wide range of backgrounds.
In 2015, Justice Wills transitioned to Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), where she took on the role of senior counsel, focusing on representing vulnerable Ontarians. Her career progressed within LAO, where she became the director general of the eastern district.
In 2022, she advanced to the position of vice-president of operations, where she worked on expanding LAO’s intake services and further improving access to justice for clients across the province. Most recently, in 2024, she was appointed vice-president of regional services, where she oversaw LAO’s legal service delivery across Ontario.
In addition to her professional work, Justice Wills has been involved in legal education since 2013. She has taught courses on evidence and criminal law at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Common Law. She has also served as review counsel at the University’s community legal clinic and as commission counsel on a federal commission of inquiry on issues of national security.
Her community involvement has included sitting on the board of directors of the Amethyst Women’s Addiction Center and volunteering with the Action Ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes, a Francophone organization dedicated to combatting violence against women.
Justice Wills has also mentored students for mock trials and Ontario’s bar admission exam. Additionally, she has coached young athletes as part of the Nakkertok Nordic cross-country ski club.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Wills to serve in Ottawa.
