After graduating from Upper Canada College in 1912, he enrolled at Osgoode Hall Law School and began his articles with Smith, Rae & Greer.

[citation needed] He interrupted his studies in 1914 to serve overseas with the armed forces during the First World War.

He was called to the bar in 1920, then joined the firm of Smith, Rae & Greer in Toronto.

[citation needed] He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on December 22, 1949 and became its chief justice on September 1, 1967.

The following year, he accepted a position with the law firm Gowling and Henderson as counsel.