R. John Harper graduated from Dalhousie University Law School in 1972. He was called to the Ontario Bar in March 1974. He was a sole practitioner from 1974 until 1997, when he formed the family law partnership of Harper Jaskot. He was certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in family law until his appointment to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in September of 2006. Justice Harper was a part-time associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at McMaster University. He was the legal advisor to the Child Advocacy and Assessment Program at McMaster University Hospital. He is a past vice-chair of the Community Child Abuse Council. Justice Harper is a frequent presenter at continuing education programs, both national and international. He is a member of the board of directors of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. In September 2010, he was appointed the senior judge for family law of the Superior Court of Ontario.