Douglas Judson

Douglas W. Judson (he/him/his) practices law with Judson Howie LLP, a firm based in Northwestern Ontario that works with clients across the province. He currently serves as chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations.

Doug began his practice with a leading Canadian law firm. He has worked with the in-house legal teams of two financial institutions, has held posts in the federal public service in Ottawa, has served as a contract Crown Attorney, and has worked in economic development, health, and justice programming for Treaty #3 First Nations. Doug started his professional career on Parliament Hill, as an aide to two former MPs, and has since been involved with federal, provincial, and municipal election campaigns. From 2018-2022, he served on the council of the Town of Fort Frances.

Doug maintains a busy volunteer presence in the community. He currently serves on the boards of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, the Northwest Community Legal Clinic, and the Federation of Ontario Law Associations. He is also currently the President of the Rainy River District Law Association and Co-Chair of the Borderland Pride festival. He has previously served on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association's sexual orientation and gender identity section, on the Law Society of Ontario’s Equity Advisory Group, as President of the Law Students’ Society of Ontario, and on the board of Start Proud, a non-profit serving LGBTQ2 students and young professionals.

Doug is a graduate of the JD/MBA program at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business, and holds degrees in political science (BSocSc) and commerce (Hon. BCom) from the University of Ottawa. He has also studied at Lakehead University, the London School of Economics, Monash University (at Prato, Italy), and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Doug was recognized as a 2014 “Newsmaker” by The Law Times. He has received the Canadian Bar Association’s Edward K. Rowan-Legg Award (2015), the Osgoode Dean’s Gold Key Award (2015), and the Borden Ladner Gervais Professional Excellence Award (2012). Doug was an Action Canada fellow in 2020/21, and in 2023, his work was recognized by the Ontario Historical Society's Russell K. Cooper Public Programming Award. Doug's writing has appeared in legal industry and other publications.

Doug lives in Fort Frances with his partner, Peter Howie, who practices criminal and family law.