Sopinka was born in Broderick, Saskatchewan, and lived there until his Ukrainian Canadian family moved to Hamilton, Ontario.

[4] He was called to the bar of Ontario in 1960 and practiced law at Fasken & Calven before becoming a senior partner at Stikeman Elliott.

[7] He also served as counsel to the William Parker Inquiry that looked into the conduct of former cabinet minister Sinclair Stevens.

At the time it was highly unusual for a Supreme Court of Canada appointee to have had no prior judicial experience.

The John Sopinka Courthouse has 18 courtrooms, accommodating Hamilton's civil, criminal, and small claims courts.