Mike Madden is a PhD in Law candidate at the University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society, under the supervision of Prof. Elizabeth Judge.
Mike Madden’s research focuses on the use of computer-based Natural Language Processing techniques, together with elements of applied linguistics theory, as a means of assessing the readability and comprehensibility of various sources of law and legal information.
Mike Madden completed both his LLM and MA in English at Dalhousie University. He has published widely in law journals from around the world, primarily on topics relating to criminal law and procedure, international law, evidence law, military law, and judicial/appellate review. His publications have been cited by all levels of court in Canada, including two articles cited by the Supreme Court of Canada (in 2016 and 2019).
Prior to commencing his PhD, Mike Madden spent 25 years in the Canadian Forces where he first served as an Artillery Officer, then as a Naval Operations Officer, and finally as a Legal Officer within the Office of the Judge Advocate General. In this last capacity, he was frequently the lead instructing counsel and policy architect for Bills proposing legislative amendments to the National Defence Act, such as Bill C-77, an Act that fundamentally transforms the Canadian Forces’ summary trial system into a non-criminal, non-penal forum for maintaining military discipline. His last posting was as the Director of Military Personnel Law, where he was the senior legal advisor to the Canadian Forces’ Chief of Military Personnel (essentially the Chief Military Human Resources Officer), providing legal advice and support in respect of diverse military administrative, employment, and human rights law questions.