Robert Hunter was born in Vancouver and grew up attending school on the West Side of the city. He enrolled at the University of British Columbia in the combined Commerce and Law program, graduating with his LL.B. in 1962. He articled in Vancouver with Campney, Owen and Murphy, but shortly after being called moved to Kamloops, where he practiced with Fulton, Rogers and Company for 29 years.
Over time with Fulton and Company his practice evolved from solicitor work to criminal law, and eventually into general litigation. He credits the firm with imparting to him the essential principals of honesty, integrity, and civility in legal practice. Hunter served 6 years during his career as a Bencher of the Law Society, and in 1982 was appointed a Queen's Counsel. His community involvements included sitting on the Board of Directors of the University of Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers University), and as Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of the Cariboo (now Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior).
In 1991, Hunter was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, where he served for 11 years until his retirement in 2002.