Denis Power Q.C. was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the fourth of ten children. The Power family moved to Ottawa in September of 1950, at which point Denis attended Corpus Christie School for one year. Following that, he attended St. Patrick’s High School at St. Patrick’s College, from which he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He then attended law school at the University of Ottawa and graduated in 1963 with an LL.B.
After completion of his articles and the Bar Admission Course, Denis Power Q.C. was called, with honours, to the Ontario Bar in the spring of 1965. He then began practising law with John P. Nelligan Q.C, who was at that time a sole practitioner. The partnership of Nelligan Power was created in 1969. Denis received his Queen’s Counsel designation in 1980.
Over the course of his legal career, Denis has been involved in many areas of law. His specialities, however, are litigation, labour law, and education law.
As a result of Denis’ involvement with education issues, he also possesses a speciality in the area of education law including denominational education rights.
Denis served for several years as a Trustee and Executive member (including the office of the President) of the local Bar Association – the Carleton County Law Association. In addition, he also served for several years as a director and officer of the Ontario Advocates’ Society. Denis is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. The American College of Trial Lawyers is the premiere litigation lawyers’ association in North America.
Denis has written and lectured extensively on various legal matters and, in particular, on behalf of the Carleton County Law Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Canadian Bar Association.
In November 2000, Denis Power Q.C. was appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ontario.