They are appointed in London, Hamilton, and Kitchener
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, announced the appointment of three new judges to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.
Barbara A. MacFarlane, a partner at MD Lawyers in London, has been appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in London. Colleen Yamashita, a partner at Scarfone Hawkins LLP in Hamilton, has been appointed in Milton. S. James Mountford, counsel at Scarfone Hawkins LLP in Hamilton, has been appointed in Kitchener.
Barbara A. MacFarlane graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998 and was called to the Bar in 1999. She co-founded MD Lawyers in London, focusing on medical negligence cases. Before relocating to London in 2018, she worked at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto, progressing from law clerk to partner over 30 years.
MacFarlane has mentored young lawyers, especially women, revitalizing a mentorship program for female members of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). She actively participated in the Law Society's Judicia Project. She also served on the board of directors for the OBA-Health Law Section and held various positions in OTLA.
Colleen Yamashita grew up in Hamilton. She graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in 2001 and an LLB from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law in 2004. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2005, she began her legal career at Scarfone Hawkins LLP, becoming a partner in 2017. Yamashita's practice focused on commercial litigation and bankruptcy.
She served as a trustee of the Hamilton Law Association and held various leadership roles. Yamashita also served on the board of directors for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation in Hamilton and led numerous fundraising initiatives.
S. James Mountford graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and earned a Law degree from Queen's University in 1986. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1988, he has practised family law for 36 years. He worked as in-house counsel for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton and returned to private practice in 2014, most recently with Scarfone Hawkins LLP.
Mountford served with various community organizations and contributed to the Hamilton Law Association. He received the Justice Patricia Wallace Community Service Award in 2023.
“I wish Justices MacFarlane, Yamashita, and Mountford every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve Ontarians well as members of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario,” said Minister Virani.
