Leslie Walden was the Professional Responsibility Service Legal Counsel for Justice Canada from 2015-2022, and his practice was focused on professionalism and legal ethics issues that involved the Department’s legal community. He also acted as the designated Departmental representative on professionalism matters with the legal profession, and chaired the Department’s Professional Responsibility Study Group. As of February 2022, Leslie has undertaken a new role within Justice Canada as Legal Counsel supporting the R.C.M.P.
Leslie is a graduate of the faculty of Common Law at the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario (2003). Leslie completed his articles with the former Federal Prosecution Service, and has worked in various Departmental Legal Services Units, the Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio and the Professional Development Division, where he led the development and delivery of the first national training initiative on diversity for all Justice Canada employees. He is also past Chair of the Justice Canada Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities and of the Paralegal Working Group.
Leslie is a past member of the Ethics & Professional Responsibility Sub-Committee of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), and is a current member of the Ontario Bar Association, and the Canadian Association for Legal Ethics.
Leslie is the 2022-23 OBA Foundation Chief Justice of Ontario Fellow in Legal Ethics and Professionalism Studies.