BRITISH COLUMBIA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, May 9, 2008 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Daphne M. Smith, a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver is appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.  Madam Justice Smith is replacing Madam Justice C.A. Ryan (Vancouver) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Smith received a Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Laws in 1975 from the University of British Columbia. She was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1976 and she was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994.   Madam Justice Smith was a partner with Mair Janowsky Blair from 1976 to 1984, an associate lawyer with Smith Hutchinson from 1984 to 1986 and an associate lawyer with Mair Jensen Blair until she was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1996. 

The Honourable Kathryn E. Neilson, a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver is appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.  Madam Justice Neilson is replacing Madam Justice J.E. Prowse (Vancouver) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Neilson received a Master of Arts in 1971 from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 1974 and a Bachelor of Civil Law in 1980 from the University of Oxford.   She was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1975.  Madam Justice Neilson was a senior associate with the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives at the University of Victoria in 1996, a sole practitioner from 1996 to 1997 and an associate counsel with Harper Grey Easton until she was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1999.

The Honourable Harvey Groberman, a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver is appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.  Mr. Justice Groberman is replacing Madam Justice M.A. Rowles (Vancouver) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Groberman received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta in 1979, a Law Degree from the University of Toronto in 1982 and completed a Master of Letters in Law at Oxford University in England in 1984.  He was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1985. 
Mr. Justice Groberman practised as a general civil litigator with the Legal Services Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General of British Columbia from 1985 to 2000 and then joined the Vancouver firm of Davis & Company. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2001. 

The Honourable John E.D. Savage, a lawyer with Crease Harman & Company in Victoria, British Columbia is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.  Mr. Justice Savage is replacing Mr. Justice E.R.A. Edwards (Vancouver) who passed away.

Mr. Justice Savage received a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby British Columbia in 1972 and a Bachelor of Laws from University of British Columbia Law School in 1977.  He was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1978.  Mr. Justice Savage has practised with Crease Harman & Company since 1978.  Mr. Justice Savage’s main practice areas consist of administrative law, charities & societies, real property assessment and he is a leading lawyer in tax assessment.  In addition, he is a member of the Victoria Bar Association, past Director and Member of the Executive.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Darren Eke
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
613-992-4621