A Legacy of Service: Celebrating Richard Ashok Coutinho, King Charles III Coronation Medal Honouree
With an impressive legal career dedicated to public service and advocacy, Richard Ashok Coutinho is being honoured with the King Charles III Recognition for his remarkable contributions to the legal profession and his tireless efforts to support vulnerable communities. As Senior Counsel with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee of Ontario, Richard has demonstrated unwavering dedication to protecting the rights of mentally incapable Ontarians, elderly individuals, and unhoused populations. His extensive experience in estates litigation and mental health law, combined with his commitment to social justice, have earned him widespread respect in the legal community.
A Scholar of Law, Theology, and Spirituality
Richard’s distinguished academic background has played a vital role in shaping his legal perspective. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Comparative Religion from McGill University, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and he earned a J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He also served as a Junior Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality at Regis College, University of Toronto. Richard has discovered that combining the study of Religion and Law has enriched his perspective of justice and meaning, and serving others. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2001, Richard has built a successful and impactful career across key roles in the Ministry of the Attorney General, including the Crown Law Office – Civil, the Constitutional Law Branch, and as the Manager of the Law Society of Ontario’s Compensation Fund.
Advocacy Rooted in Empathy and Experience
Throughout his career, Richard has made significant contributions that extend far beyond the courtroom. His advocacy work has had a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in Ontario, particularly those with mental health challenges or limited access to resources. Drawing from his early experiences supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and his family’s history as refugees following the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, Richard has consistently demonstrated empathy and dedication in his legal practice. His impactful work has included representing clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and volunteering in leadership roles to promote equity, youth mental health, and employment rights.
Leadership and Mentorship Within the Legal Community
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Richard actively contributes to the legal community and broader society. He is a frequent speaker on estates law topics and serves on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Elder Law Section and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section. Richard also mentors aspiring lawyers through Toronto Metropolitan University’s Law Practice Program. He currently serves on the boards of Central Toronto Youth Services and Harvard University’s Gender and Sexuality Caucus and has previously held leadership roles with the Association of Law Officers of the Crown and the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention.
A Well-Deserved Honour for a Life of Service
Richard’s recognition with the King Charles III Coronation Medal holds special significance, as he previously had the honour of meeting His Royal Highness in 2006 while serving as a Canadian Commonwealth Scholar at Cambridge. Reflecting on this memorable encounter, Richard fondly recalls, “I will never forget the experience of meeting Prince Charles. There were about thirty of us, and His Royal Highness took considerable time speaking to each and every one of us. He even laughed at a joke I made and told my friends I had a great sense of humour.”
His dedication to justice, mentorship, and community service makes Richard Ashok Coutinho a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished honour. His career reflects the values of compassion, inclusion, and excellence—hallmarks of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
A Scholar of Law, Theology, and Spirituality
Richard’s distinguished academic background has played a vital role in shaping his legal perspective. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Comparative Religion from McGill University, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and he earned a J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He also served as a Junior Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality at Regis College, University of Toronto. Richard has discovered that combining the study of Religion and Law has enriched his perspective of justice and meaning, and serving others. Called to the Ontario Bar in 2001, Richard has built a successful and impactful career across key roles in the Ministry of the Attorney General, including the Crown Law Office – Civil, the Constitutional Law Branch, and as the Manager of the Law Society of Ontario’s Compensation Fund.
Advocacy Rooted in Empathy and Experience
Throughout his career, Richard has made significant contributions that extend far beyond the courtroom. His advocacy work has had a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in Ontario, particularly those with mental health challenges or limited access to resources. Drawing from his early experiences supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and his family’s history as refugees following the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, Richard has consistently demonstrated empathy and dedication in his legal practice. His impactful work has included representing clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and volunteering in leadership roles to promote equity, youth mental health, and employment rights.
Leadership and Mentorship Within the Legal Community
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Richard actively contributes to the legal community and broader society. He is a frequent speaker on estates law topics and serves on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Elder Law Section and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section. Richard also mentors aspiring lawyers through Toronto Metropolitan University’s Law Practice Program. He currently serves on the boards of Central Toronto Youth Services and Harvard University’s Gender and Sexuality Caucus and has previously held leadership roles with the Association of Law Officers of the Crown and the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention.
A Well-Deserved Honour for a Life of Service
Richard’s recognition with the King Charles III Coronation Medal holds special significance, as he previously had the honour of meeting His Royal Highness in 2006 while serving as a Canadian Commonwealth Scholar at Cambridge. Reflecting on this memorable encounter, Richard fondly recalls, “I will never forget the experience of meeting Prince Charles. There were about thirty of us, and His Royal Highness took considerable time speaking to each and every one of us. He even laughed at a joke I made and told my friends I had a great sense of humour.”
His dedication to justice, mentorship, and community service makes Richard Ashok Coutinho a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished honour. His career reflects the values of compassion, inclusion, and excellence—hallmarks of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.