The Hon. Eleanor Schnall

This extensive oral history chronicles the remarkable legal career of Eleanor Mary Schnall, who immigrated to Canada from Poland as a seven-year-old in 1953 and rose to become a distinguished judge on the Ontario Court of Justice. Born into a family where her father had to restart his legal career after fleeing Communist Poland, Schnall’s path to law was unconventional – she first pursued physical education at the University of Toronto, taught high school, and completed graduate studies before entering Western Law School in 1972.

Schnall’s legal practice in London, Ontario was distinguished by her pioneering work in family law and her groundbreaking advocacy for abused women. She co-founded the Women’s Community House, London’s first women’s shelter, and established the London Battered Women’s Advocacy Centre. Her practice served a diverse clientele, including a significant Polish-speaking community, and she became known for her expertise in family and criminal law. Her commitment to social justice extended beyond her practice through extensive volunteer work and community involvement.

Appointed to the bench in 1991 as one of the Askov judges, Schnall became a respected “two-hatter” handling both family and criminal cases across southwestern Ontario. Her judicial career was marked by significant decisions, including the high-profile Church of God child protection case that attracted national media attention and established important precedents regarding publication bans and Charter rights. She also rendered groundbreaking decisions on sibling rights in adoption cases and was known for her thoughtful approach to sentencing, particularly in cases involving internet crimes and domestic violence. Throughout her career, she maintained her commitment to advancing women’s rights and improving access to justice, serving on numerous committees and continuing her advocacy work even while on the bench.

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