Mr. Robert McGee

Robert Bruce McGee, Q.C., provides a comprehensive account of his legal career spanning from 1967 to 2007, beginning as an Assistant Crown Attorney under the legendary Henry Bull and later becoming a prominent criminal defence lawyer. McGee graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1964 and articled in Hanover, Ontario before joining the Crown Attorney’s office in Toronto in 1967. His interview reveals the culture and practices of the Toronto legal community during a transformative period in Canadian criminal law.

As a Crown Attorney for sixteen years, McGee prosecuted numerous high-profile cases including murders, bank robberies, and the Susan Nelles case. He worked alongside notable figures like Lloyd Graburn and Jim Crossland, appearing frequently before colourful judges such as Walter Martin and Edson Haines. McGee’s accounts illuminate the pre-Charter era of criminal prosecution, including the absence of disclosure requirements and the use of Grand Juries. He also describes the significant changes brought by Legal Aid and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In 1983, McGee transitioned to criminal defence practice, initially sharing office space with the legendary Dave Humphrey on Sultan Street. His defence work included representing clients in the Ernst Zundel Holocaust denial trials and various criminal matters throughout Ontario. The interview provides valuable insights into the evolution of criminal law practice, the culture of the legal profession, and notable cases that shaped Canadian jurisprudence during the latter half of the 20th century.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.