Judge Sutherland graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 1989 and called to the bar of British Columbia in 1990.
Prior to his appointment to the Provincial Court of British Columbia in 2012, Judge Sutherland practiced primarily criminal law. He spent 5 years with the B.C. Crown Counsel office before moving to a defence practice. He practiced with Richard T.Israels Law Corporation and the firm Gordon & Sutherland for 12 years before forming Sutherland Jette, Barristers in 2010. He remained with Sutherland Jette until his appointment to the Provincial Court.
As counsel, Judge Sutherland appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada, and all levels of court in B.C. and Saskatchewan. He also appeared in courts in Alberta and the Yukon Territories.
Judge Sutherland is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law where he has taught Trial Advocacy since 2003 and was awarded the Adjunct Professor Outstanding Service Award. He has also served as faculty for BC Continuing Legal Education programs, and a lecturer at Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch, Criminal Law Subsection meetings, the UBC Advanced Trial Advocacy program, the Law Society of British Columbia Professional Legal Training Course and to various schools and community groups in the Lower Mainland of BC.
Judge Sutherland has always been involved in the community coaching minor sports and has been the recipient of various coaching awards.