Congratulations to Boris Bytensky: Thank You, Boris!
There are very few moments in a law firm’s history that feel both celebratory and bittersweet; Boris Bytensky’s appointment to the bench is one of them. While we are incredibly proud to see him begin this next chapter of public service, his departure from private practice marks the end of an extraordinary era for our firm and the many clients and colleagues whose lives he has touched.
For me, this moment is also deeply personal.
Many years ago, while I was a student in criminal court, a Russian interpreter told me, “You should work for Boris Bytensky. He’s the best.you should try to get an interview” At the time I had no idea what an Honour it would be.
I was lucky, Boris had an opening, and despite my less than exemplary school attendance he took me on.
It was one of the luckiest moments of my life.
Boris was unique, he possessed the most vital qualities in a lawyer are often the ones invisible to the public.
One of the first things Boris taught me was that criminal defence is one of the easiest jobs to do poorly and one of the hardest jobs to do well.
The real work happens late at night when no one is watching, reviewing every page of disclosure, questioning every assumption, and refusing to take shortcuts. Boris held himself to that standard every day. His commitment to excellence shaped not only his practice but also the lawyers around him. It certainly shaped me. Once again, I was lucky.
Another lesson that has stayed with me involves how we approach injustice. My instinct is often to pick up a pitchfork; Boris approached things differently. When Boris saw a problem, he would sit quietly and think. Then he would reach for the Criminal Code, the Charter, and Supreme Court decisions. Somehow, he would find a way to create meaningful change through disciplined judgment rather than noise.
He fought hard for his clients because justice demanded it, and he did so with integrity and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. The legal profession is stronger because of his contributions, as are the many people who had the privilege of working alongside him.
While his role is changing, the values he brought to this firm remain: intellectual discipline, courage, and the understanding that meaningful change is achieved through persistence and preparation.
On behalf of the firm, and personally, I want to thank Boris for his mentorship, leadership, and friendship. We congratulate him on this well-deserved appointment. The courts are gaining an exceptional judge.
We will miss him as a colleague, but we could not be happier for his success.
Congratulations, Boris, and thank you for everything!
