Terry M. Beitner is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, specializing in international criminal law. He holds a B.Sc. in Criminology (Montreal), an LL.L. (Ottawa), and an LL.B. (Ottawa). He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario (since 1991) and previously a member of the Quebec Bar (1989-2024).
Professor Beitner has extensive experience in international criminal law, having served as counsel at the Department of Justice Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Section before becoming Director and General Counsel in 2000, a role he held until 2024. As director, he managed a multidisciplinary team involved in investigations and prosecutions of alleged war criminals in Canada and collaborated with various states, international organizations, tribunals, and mechanisms involved in the investigation of core international crimes (crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide).
In addition to his legal practice, Professor Beitner delivered lectures at law schools across Canada and was an annual lecturer at the International Humanitarian Law Summer Course sponsored by the Canadian Red Cross and the Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa.
Professor Beitner is interested in the development of artificial intelligence tools and the practice of law generally, and the potential use of these tools in the investigation of core international crimes.