Frank has had a distinguished career in private practice, academia, government and the judiciary. He began his career in 1964 as a lawyer at Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer & Wood in New York, where he practised corporate and securities law. In 1967, he joined the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, and was a professor of law there until 1985. He also served as Vice-President, Internal Affairs at the University of Toronto from 1975 to 1979 and Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1979 to 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he was Vice-President and Provost of the University. In 1985, Frank was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General for Canada; in 1988, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada; and in 1991, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Upon his retirement from the Supreme Court in 2004, he served as Interim President of the University of Toronto.

During his academic career, Frank was also a Commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission from 1982 to 1985, and Counsel to the Estey Commission in 1974.

He has also conducted numerous arbitrations and mediations and lectures and presentations. He has authored or edited many books, and written numerous articles and commentaries on various subjects.

Achievements

Frank has received numerous awards, honours and other recognitions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Frank has been awarded honorary degrees from University of Ontario Institute of Technology (2018), Ryerson University (2017), Cape Breton University (2016), Victoria University in the University of Toronto (2015), Lakehead University (2014), University of Western Ontario (2009), McMaster University (2008), University of Trinity College at the University of Toronto (2005), York University (2005), Queen’s University (2005), University of Waterloo (2003), Università della Calabria (Cosenza, Italy) (2003), McGill University (2003), Law Society of Upper Canada (2000), University of Victoria (1996), University of Ottawa (1995), University of British Columbia (1989) and University of Toronto (1989).

Frank is also a recipient of the Law Society Medal of Ontario and is an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of St. John’s College, Cambridge.

On October 2, 2009, Frank was awarded the Justice Medal for lifetime achievement from the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. He was appointed an Honorary Witness by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in April, 2014.

He was also appointed a Companion in the Order of Canada in July 2007. In 2010 he was inducted into the Italian Walk of Fame and in 2012 awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award.

Directorships

Frank has held many advisory roles and directorships over his career, including:

• Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, 2006–2012
• Advisory Board, General Motors of Canada, 2006–present
• Tim Hortons, 2006–2014 (Lead Director)
• Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, 2005–2018 (Conduct Review Advisor)
• Member, Ontario Law Commission, 2006–2012
• Member, Board of Directors, COSTI Immigration Services, 2009–2021
• Torstar, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2004–2009
• Trudeau Foundation Mentor, 2006–2007
• International Center for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, 1993–2004 (Director)
• Cambridge Canadian Trust, 1984–1991 (Director)
• Multicultural History Society of Ontario, 1976–1988 (Director)
• National Congress of Italian Canadians (Vice President, 1980–1983; Director, Toronto District, 1979–1983)
• Advisory Board, Institute of Canadian Studies, University of Ottawa, 1998–2004
• Dean's Advisory Committee, Faculty of Law, McGill University, 1996–2004
• Advisory Council, International Center for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, 1991–1993
• Canadian Judicial Centre/National Judicial Institute, 1989–2004 (Governor)
• Board of Governors, Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, 1991–1998 and 1981–1985 (Vice President and member)
• Canadian Judicial Council and Education Committee, 1988–1991 (member); 1990–1991, (Executive Committee)
• Member of the Board of Directors, Canadians for a New Partnership, 2014–2017
• Chairman, Supreme Court Advocacy Institute