JAMES M. SPENCE

September 7, 1940 – August 10, 2025 The Honourable James MacDonald Spence, K.C., LL.D., passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, at the age of 84 at the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital. He was a respected lawyer, judge, and legal educator. He was devoted husband of Katherine; dear father of Sheila (John), Andrew and Douglas (Sarah); grandfather of Cameron and Timothy; and brother of Heather Mulchey (the late Rev. Ronald Mulchey). Jim was born in Toronto in 1940 to George and Ruth Spence. He was educated at the University of Toronto Schools and earned a BA in Philosophy and History from the University of Toronto in 1962. He received his LL.B. (now J.D.) from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 1966, winning the Butterworth Prize, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1968 after articling with the firm now called Torys LLP. He remained with the firm for over 20 years, becoming a partner in 1976 and practising in corporate and commercial law with a focus on government regulation. During his career at Torys, Jim took leave from the firm to serve as Senior Legal Advisor and General Counsel to the Foreign Investment Review Agency in Ottawa, and later as General Counsel of Torstar Corporation. After returning to Torys, he continued to act in significant corporate matters and was often sought for his skill in mediation and dispute resolution. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983 and in 1990, he was elected Treasurer (executive leader) of the Law Society of Upper Canada (now the Law Society of Ontario), leading the profession in matters of governance, ethics, and education, and serving as a director of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. In 1993, Jim was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where he served until retirement in 2015. He was a leader in judicial education, co-chairing the Court's Education Committee, co-chairing the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, and serving as President of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. His leadership, lectures and writing led him to be invited to speak and teach on these topics internationally, including in Ukraine, Albania, and Malawi. He was co-author or co-editor of three books on foreign investment and numerous articles. For many years, he taught in the Law Society's Bar Admission Course and was a director of the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History. Jim was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2001. Beyond legal and judicial realms, he was named a Senior Fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto in 2006. He also served as Honorary President of the University Club of Toronto and on the Board of the Ontario College of Art. Jim was deeply grateful for the lifelong worship and fellowship of Rosedale Presbyterian Church, which greatly enriched his life. He was an avid abstract painter whose works have been exhibited in Toronto and many friends and colleagues enjoy "JMS originals" at their homes and offices. His inspirations ranged from deKooning, and Matisse to Turkish carpets, stained glass windows and Tiepolo ceilings. He was a discerning reader of biography, history and poetry and keen lover of music from baroque and opera, to chansons française and 90s Afropop. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage, whether it was highland dancing at the St. Andrew's Ball or offering a newly composed toast at Burns Night dinners. Jim enjoyed his more than 65 summers in Southampton, Ontario, delighting in his dips in Lake Huron, afternoons on the beach, and the glorious sunsets. He was proud to share his family history in the town with his children and grandchildren. His family, friends, and colleagues knew him as a man of intellect, curiosity, and principle, with a dry wit, and equal capacity for thoughtful conversation and energetic banter on subjects ranging from legal doctrine to Proust. The family is most appreciative for the care that Jim received over the last year from the staff of Tender Nursing Care and the Bradgate Arms Residence, followed by the medical care at Mount Sinai Hospital. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 6th at 2 p.m. at Rosedale Presbyterian Church (129 Mt. Pleasant Rd.). In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Mount Sinai Hospital (www.sinaihealth.ca) or Rosedale Presbyterian Church (www.rosedalepresbyterianchurch.ca). Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.