About the Lawyers of Harbic Law in Ottawa
JAMES HARBIC B.A., J.D., C.S., Barrister and Solicitor/Notary Public
Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Criminal Law
Education
• Studied at Universities of Ottawa, Saskatchewan, and Dalhousie
• Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (1972), Juris Doctor (1976), Barrister at Law Degree (1978)
• Academic Honours: include “Deans Honour List” and “Cum Laude”
Publications
• Whitehorse Daily Star, Parliamentary Correspondent (1964-1968) (Weekly columns)
• "Defending Human Rights & Civil Liberties", Algonquin Press, (1983) (Booklet)
• "Profiles in Nobility", Kendall Publishing, (1992) (Book)
• "Atticus Flinch" In Defence of Counsel, Ottawa Citizen, February 17th, 2000 (article)
Practice
James Harbic is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Criminal Law. The Senior partner with Harbic Law, he was called to the Bar of Ontario on April 19th, 1978 representing more than 10,500 clients facing criminal charges in courts at all levels all across Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut. He has appeared as lead counsel in 102 jury trials, as well as 33 homicide files.
Lecturer
• Sessional Lecturer Algonquin College in "Criminal Law Procedure" and "Droit Penal"
(1980-1983)
• Sessional Lecturer Carleton University in "Criminal Law & Anti-Social Behaviour" (1983-1984)
• Sessional Lecturer Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa in "Substantive Criminal Law" (1984‑1985)
• Chairperson, Department of Law Forum "Sentencing" Carleton University (1987)
• Guest Speaker, Ottawa Public Library, Human Rights & Civil Rights (1988)
• Panelist University of Ottawa Symposium "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms" (1990)
• Guest Speaker, Boy Scouts of Canada "Role of Defence Lawyers" (1991)
• Special Lecturer Ottawa Police Cadets, on "Criminal Law Evidence Issues" (1992)
• Sessional Lecturer L.S.U.C. Bar Admission Course on "Criminal Law & Ethics" (1993-1995)
• Guest Speaker, Algonquin College in "Defending Accused Persons" (2004)
• Guest Lecturer Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, "Admissibility of Confessions" (2006)
Professional Associations
• Member, Law Society of Upper Canada
• Member, Amnesty International
• Member, Canadian Human Rights & Civil Liberties Association
• Member, Ottawa Defence Counsel Associations
• Member, Carleton Law Associations
• Member of the Original Panel of Lawyers Appointed by the Official Guardian to Protect Children Rights
• Former member, House of Hope Board of Directors
• Former Governor, University of Ottawa Board of Governors
• Former President Long Lake Property Association
• Former Executive Member, University of Ottawa Senate
• Founding President, Leblanc Hall Daycare Centre
• Acting President, University of Ottawa Student Federation
• Commissioner of Service, University of Ottawa Student Federation
ROBERT HARBIC B.A.(Hons), B.Soc.Sc., LL.B.
Robert was born and raised in Ottawa, attending St. Patrick's High School where he was elected president of the student council. Robert was an offensive and defensive starter on the varsity football team, participated in the Drama Club, and the Concert Band. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Education
Robert completed an undergraduate degree in Social Science, with a concentration in Political Science from the University of Ottawa in 2005. In 2006, he also received a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in History from the University of Ottawa. In 2011, Robert graduated from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia with a law degree (LL.B.). Throughout his tenure as a law student, Robert was pro-active in pursuing his interests in criminal law, specializing in criminal law courses, as well as participating in advocacy competitions.
While at La Trobe University, Robert was actively involved in the La Trobe Law Students' Association, holding the position of Competitions Officer, as well as advocating for the rights of international students, which ultimately led to the creation of a designated role on the LSA.
Robert also volunteered as a Law Clerk with the Darebin Community Legal Clinic, and was selected to participate in the Crockett Chambers Court Experience Program, both in Melbourne, Australia.
Robert began working at Harbic Law in March 2012, while completing his Certificate of Qualification with the Nationals Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Ontario and the Court of Appeal of Ontario dealing in such charges as fraud, assault, human trafficking, forcible confinement, theft, money laundering, proceeds of crime, sexual assault, impaired driving, as well as sentencing.
Robert is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario Bar Association, and Ottawa Defence Counsel Association.
