Released on December 22, 2011
Today, sixteen Saskatchewan lawyers were honoured with Queen's Counsel (Q.C.) appointments.
"These exceptional recipients being honoured with a Queen's Counsel designation have a range of experience and represent the very best of our legal community," Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. "In recent years, there has been a desire to expand the Q.C. honours, which have traditionally focused on barristers, to recognize solicitors, corporate counsel and those who have contributed to the legal profession in the courtroom."
A selection committee of Saskatchewan's Justice Minister and Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan or the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench (on an alternating basis), and past presidents of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Saskatchewan makes these recommendations. Individuals must meet the following criteria: they must live in Saskatchewan and must have practiced law for at least 10 years in the superior courts of any province or territory of Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.
The first Queen's Counsel appointment in British North America was in 1815; however, the practice dates back to 1594 when Queen Elizabeth I appointed Sir Francis Bacon as her exclusive legal advisor and roving representative of the Crown.
The 2011 Queen's Counsel appointments are:
- Dr. Sanjeev Anand, Dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. He was admitted to the bar in 1994.
- Ronald Balacko, a lawyer with Rusnak Balacko Kachur & Rusnak law firm in Yorkton. He was admitted to the bar in 1976.
- Alain Gaucher, a lawyer with MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman law firm in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1980.
- Melvin Gerspacher, a lawyer with Robertson Stromberg law firm in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1979.
- John Gormley, in-house counsel for Rawlco Radio Ltd. He was admitted to the bar in 1993.
- Robert Kirkpatrick, Associate General Counsel at Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan. He was admitted to the bar in 1988.
- Robert Lane, Regional Crown Prosecutor, La Ronge Prosecutions, Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. He was admitted to the bar in 1980.
- Timothy MacLeod, General Counsel for Saskatchewan Government Insurance. He was admitted to the bar in 1983.
- Mitch McAdam, Director of the Aboriginal Law Branch, Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1985.
- Rosanne Newman, Legal Director for the Meadow Lake area office, Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission. She was admitted to the bar in 1994.
- Rodney Rath, a lawyer with Gerrand Rath Johnson law firm in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1972.
- Donna Sigmeth, Deputy Director of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. She was admitted to the bar in 1994.
- David Thera, a lawyer with McKercher law firm in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1987. He is the President of the Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch.
- Barry Wilcox, a lawyer with Wilcox Zuk Chovin law firm in Prince Albert. He was admitted to the bar in 1981.
- Gregory Willows, a lawyer with Willows Tulloch law firm in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1974.
- Craig Zawada, a lawyer with Wallace Meschishnick Clackson Zawada law firm in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1987.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Linsay Rabyj
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0775
Email: linsay.rabyj@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-540-4945