The Honourable Howard Alexander Callaghan was born in Ottawa in 1927. He grew up in Ottawa, obtained both an academic and football education at Glebe Collegiate before progressing to Carleton, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1950. He enrolled at UBC and completed an LL.B. in 1953, then articled in Penticton at Day Washington under Harold McInnes. He secured his articles during an interview in Dean Curtis' office at the law school, during which McInnes tersely offered "Come to Penticton and I'll teach you everything I know."
Howard Callaghan build a partnership with Day Washington, until Washington was appointed to the judiciary. Callaghan continued, and while he preferred litigation he was both a barrister and solicitor to meet the needs of the smaller community in which he served. His sound reputation attracted the attention of the Liberal government, who appointed him to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1978 despite his position as then-president of his local Tory riding association. On the bench he became known for his clear, concise, and coherent reasons.
The Honourable Howard Alexander Callaghan passed away in early 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.