Me Fernando Belton holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the Université du Québec à Montréal, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Criminal Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Harvard Business School. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Saint-Michel Legal Clinic, established in 2019. A member of the Bar since 2015, he practices criminal law, pleading cases before all levels of court in Quebec, including numerous appeals before the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He has also pleaded before the Supreme Court of Canada in the landmark case AGQ v. Luamba.

He is a member of the Steering Group for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, a national body responsible for advising the federal government on building a more equitable justice system.

Me Belton has taught the law of racial profiling at every university in Quebec, as well as at the University of Ottawa. He also serves as a trainer for major institutions such as the Barreau du Québec, the Quebec Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Commission des droits de la personne (Human Rights Commission), and the Observatoire des profilages. He has authored several doctrinal articles on this issue that have been cited in various legal precedents.

In parallel with his practice, Me Belton is actively involved in community and institutional sectors. He serves as a volunteer on the Board of Directors of Justice Pro Bono.

His commitment has been recognized by numerous distinctions:

• Lawyer of the Year – Social Involvement (Jeune Barreau de Montréal, 2021)

• Prix de la relève (UQAM Department of Legal Sciences, 2021)

• Finalist – Gala Arista (Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal, “Quebec Young Executive” category)

• Nominee for the Prix de la justice, Quebec’s highest legal distinction

• Medal of the Member for Bourassa (2024)

• Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec (2024)

• Black History Month Laureate (2025)

• Prix Excellence – AQAAD for his work in Leclair v. City of Montreal and AGQ v. Luamba

• Prix Gabriel Lapointe – AADM for his legal and social impact during his first 10 years of practice.