Julian Porter
Encyclopedia
Julian Harris Porter, QC
(born December 4, 1936), is a Canadian lawyer.
The son of Canadian lawyer and former Attorney-General of Ontario Dana Porter
, he is a graduate of the University of Toronto
, and the Osgoode Hall Law School
. He was called to the bar in 1964, and appointed Queen's Counsel
in 1976. Porter was appointed as a Commissioner to the Toronto Transit Commission
in 1977 and elected Chairman by his fellow Commissioners in 1979, following the resignation of G. Gordon Hurlburt
. Porter was Chairman of the TTC until 1987.
Prior to joining the TTC, Porter was President of the Canadian National Exhibition
. He was the youngest person to hold that position to that time. He represented Canada at the UNESCO
World Conference on Copyright in Paris and was a Director of Toronto Life
magazine, the Cancer Research Foundation and Harbourfront Centre in Toronto
.
Subsequent to his tenure on the TTC, Porter has continued practising law, and is recognized by the Law Society of Upper Canada
as a specialist in civil litigation. He has been a sole practitioner since 2000, and has given numerous lectures to the Law Society of Upper Canada
, the Canadian Bar Association
to libel lawyers. He is the co-author of the legal text, Canadian Libel Practice. He has also been a Bencher
of the Law Society of Upper Canada since 1999.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Progressive Conservative
party in the 1985 Ontario
provincial election
. He contested the riding against personal friend Ian Scott who won for the Liberals and was appointed Attorney General in the government of David Peterson
.
Porter has been a Director of the Stratford Festival. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
, and has received an honorary LL.D from Queen's University
.
He is married to the publisher Anna Porter
.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born December 4, 1936), is a Canadian lawyer.
The son of Canadian lawyer and former Attorney-General of Ontario Dana Porter
Dana Porter
Dana Harris Porter was a Canadian politician and jurist.After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1921, Porter went to England to continue his studies at Balliol College, Oxford from which he graduated with a Master's degree in 1923...
, he is a graduate of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and the Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
. He was called to the bar in 1964, and appointed Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1976. Porter was appointed as a Commissioner to the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
in 1977 and elected Chairman by his fellow Commissioners in 1979, following the resignation of G. Gordon Hurlburt
G. Gordon Hurlburt
G. Gordon Hurlburt was a Toronto politician and Toronto Transit Commission Chairman in the 1970s.He was active in the 1960s and 1970s in local politics. He served as Councillor and Controller in the Borough of North York and was a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Council...
. Porter was Chairman of the TTC until 1987.
Prior to joining the TTC, Porter was President of the Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
. He was the youngest person to hold that position to that time. He represented Canada at the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Conference on Copyright in Paris and was a Director of Toronto Life
Toronto Life
Toronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
magazine, the Cancer Research Foundation and Harbourfront Centre in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Subsequent to his tenure on the TTC, Porter has continued practising law, and is recognized by the Law Society of Upper Canada
Law Society of Upper Canada
The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
as a specialist in civil litigation. He has been a sole practitioner since 2000, and has given numerous lectures to the Law Society of Upper Canada
Law Society of Upper Canada
The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
, the Canadian Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
The Canadian Bar Association represents over 37,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada.-History:The Association's first Annual Meeting was held in Montreal in 1896. However, the CBA has been in continuous existence in its present form since 1914...
to libel lawyers. He is the co-author of the legal text, Canadian Libel Practice. He has also been a Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
of the Law Society of Upper Canada since 1999.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
party in the 1985 Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
provincial election
Ontario general election, 1985
The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the 33rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada...
. He contested the riding against personal friend Ian Scott who won for the Liberals and was appointed Attorney General in the government of David Peterson
David Peterson
David Robert Peterson, PC, O.Ont was the 20th Premier of the Province of Ontario, Canada, from June 26, 1985 to October 1, 1990. He was the first Liberal premier of Ontario in 42 years....
.
Porter has been a Director of the Stratford Festival. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
The American College of Trial Lawyers is a professional association of trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession...
, and has received an honorary LL.D from Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
He is married to the publisher Anna Porter
Anna Porter
Anna Maria Porter, OC, O.Ont is a Canadian publisher and novelist.Born Anna Szigethy in Budapest, she emigrated to New Zealand in 1956 to escape the Soviet presence in Hungary. She received a Bachelor degree and Master of Arts degree from the University of Canterbury. She started at McClelland &...
.