First Fil-Canadian judge will receive honorary degree

Ontario Court of Appeals Justice Steve Anthony Coroza is the first Filipino to be appointed to a judiciary in Canada | Photo courtesy of Law Society of Ontario

The first Filipino to be appointed to the judiciary in Canada is being honored by his peers with an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LLD).

Justice Steve Anthony Coroza of the Ontario Court of Appeals will be conferred the honorary degree at the Mar. 6, 2023 Call to the Bar ceremony in Toronto, the Law Society announced in a release.

“Justice Steve Anthony Coroza has helped shape Canadian law—as both a lawyer and a judge—as he sought to find a delicate balance between the rights of individuals and the administration of justice. His career exemplifies a dedication to the law, the profession and to public service,” the Law Society noted in its release.

The Law Society awards honorary doctorates each year to distinguished individuals in recognition of outstanding achievements in the legal profession, the rule of law, or the cause of justice.

Justice Coroza’s career has been marked by commitment to public service. After his call to the Bar in 1997, he practiced criminal law as duty counsel for Legal Aid Ontario, to represent the interests of those most marginalized.

From 1998 to 2009 he served as a Federal Prosecutor with the Department of Justice and Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

In 2009, Coroza was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice and became the first Filipino Canadian to be appointed to the Canadian judiciary.

In 2013, he was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice followed by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2020. Remarkably, he is one of five appellate court judges in Ontario to have served on both trial courts in Ontario.

“His remarkable career demonstrates a personal commitment to education and advancing the important goals of diversity and inclusion. He has continued his tireless volunteerism and leadership through his work with various judicial and legal organizations and through his teaching and mentoring of countless students and new lawyers,” the Law Society stated.

“He is committed to the highest standards of the judiciary and is respected by court staff, counsel, and the judiciary. He is known for his great civility, deep passion for the law, and compassion for all.”