Jamal, Mahmud (1967-…), became a puisne << PYOO nee >> (associate) judge of the Supreme Court of Canada in 2021. He was the first person of color ever appointed to Canada’s top court. Prior to his appointment, Jamal served on the Court of Appeal for Ontario—Ontario’s highest court of law. He also worked for many years at a private law firm. During his career, Jamal has shown a commitment to pro bono (free of charge) work. He has a multicultural background and is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages—English and French.
Jamal was born on July 20, 1967, in Nairobi, Kenya, to a Muslim family originally from India. In 1969, Jamal’s family moved to the United Kingdom, where he attended Anglican schools. In 1981, the family relocated to Edmonton, Alberta, where Jamal completed high school in 1984. Jamal received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1989. He received Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from McGill University in 1993. In 1994, Jamal received a Master of Laws degree from Yale University, which he attended on a Fulbright scholarship. During the early 1990’s, Jamal also worked as a law clerk for judges on the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Jamal eventually settled in Ontario. In 1996, he was admitted to the Ontario bar—that is, the body of lawyers licensed to practice law in the province. From 1996 to 2019, Jamal worked for the business law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, first as a litigation associate, and then as a litigation partner. From 2007 to 2019, he chaired the firm’s National Pro Bono Committee. During his time in private practice, Jamal also served as pro bono counsel (a lawyer or advisor) for the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History, and other organizations and individuals. He served on the board of directors of the Advocates’ Society, the CCLA, and the Osgoode Society. While a practicing lawyer, Jamal appeared in 35 appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada. Jamal also has taught law at McGill University, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, and other universities.
Jamal was appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2019. He was appointed to the Supreme Court on July 1, 2021, after being nominated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
