The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is deeply saddened by the passing of the Honourable John J.L. Hunter, K.C., who served as President of the Federation from 2011 to 2012. Mr. Hunter was a highly respected figure in the Canadian legal community, known for his exceptional legal mind, principled leadership, and steadfast commitment to the independence of the legal profession and the Rule of Law. 

Throughout a distinguished 40-year career, Mr. Hunter appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada in numerous precedent-setting cases and earned international recognition as a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers. In 2017, he was appointed directly from practice to the British Columbia Court of Appeal, where he served with distinction until 2024. Following his judicial tenure, he returned to Hunter Litigation Chambers, the firm he co-founded. He was a role model for giving back to the legal profession. He served as President of the Law Society of British Columbia and, in recognition of his exceptional service, he was awarded the Law Society’s Begbie Award in 2014. 

Mr. Hunter’s legacy at the Federation is significant. He chaired the ground-breaking Task Force on the Canadian Common Law Degree (2007–2009), which led to the first national academic requirements for entry into bar admission programs, setting the standards for legal education across Canada and mandating legal ethics as a core subject in all law school programs in common law jurisdictions. During his time as President, the Federation completed the Model Code of Professional Conduct and launched the National Admission Standards and National Discipline Standards projects, all with a view to fostering a more consistent and coherent approach to legal regulation nationwide. 

Mr. Hunter’s contributions to the Federation and Canada’s legal community were transformative and are still felt today. In every role, he was an exemplar of integrity and civility, and he will be remembered as among the finest the legal profession has to offer.   

The Federation extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Hunter’s family, colleagues, and friends.  

The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is the national association of the 14 law societies mandated by the provinces and territories to regulate Canada’s legal profession in the public interest. It is the body through which Canada’s law societies collaborate at the national level, share information on trends and issues affecting the legal profession, and engage in collective action and decision making. 

The Federation is also the law societies’ national and international voice on important issues related to the regulation and core values of the legal profession. For more information on the Federation, please visit our web site at www.flsc.bcdn.ca. 

For more information about this release, please contact: 

Giulia Doyle 
Director of Communications 
Federation of Law Societies of Canada 
gdoyle@flsc.ca