The Hon. Romain Pitt

Mr. Justice Romain Pitt’s oral history traces his remarkable journey from orphaned immigrant to distinguished Canadian jurist. Born in Grenada in 1935 and arriving in Canada at age 19 in 1954, Pitt was sponsored by his uncle B.J. Spencer Pitt, a prominent Toronto lawyer known as “the Joe Louis of the Bar.” He completed his undergraduate studies in Political Science and Economics at the University of Toronto before earning his law degree in 1963. His career demonstrates the changing landscape of legal practice in mid-20th century Canada.

Pitt practiced law for 29 years before his appointment to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 1994. Along with Eric Lindsay, he established the first Black law partnership in Ontario in 1967, maintaining a thriving general practice that served diverse clients including West Indian immigrants, professionals, and entrepreneurs. As a founding member of Caribana, he played a pivotal role in establishing Toronto’s Caribbean cultural festival. His practice included significant immigration law work, appearing before the Immigration Appeal Board during crucial reforms under Pierre Trudeau.

As a federal judge from 1994 to 2010, Justice Pitt presided over hundreds of cases spanning commercial litigation, wrongful dismissal, insurance claims, and civil rights matters. His notable cases included the Jockey Club precedent, Artie Shaw litigation, and human rights decisions including Smith v. Mr. Lube. His judicial philosophy emphasized relevance, conciseness, and careful preparation. Beyond the bench, he served on numerous boards including Toronto General Hospital and the Art Gallery of Ontario, while maintaining strong community ties and mentoring young professionals.

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