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January 2, 1998
(Justice)

Queen's Counsel Appointments

Chris Decker, Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has appointed seven lawyers as Queen's Counsel.

The new Queen's Counsel are: John Cummings, William (Bill) Finn, John (Jack) Harris, Elizabeth (Beth) Heneghan, Rhodie Mercer, Claude Sheppard and Wayne Thistle.

John Cummings studied at the Arts Faculty of Memorial University from 1970 to 1973 as a History major with a Political Science minor. He received a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie in 1976, and was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar in the same year. Mr. Cummings is currently Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council and Assistant Secretary to Cabinet with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

William (Bill) Finn received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary's University in 1972, and received his Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University Law School in 1975. He was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar later that year. Mr. Finn was a partner with Moores and Finn Law Office in Harbour Grace from 1976 to 1985. In 1986, he opened his own law practice, William Finn Law Office, in Carbonear.

John (Jack) Harris graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1971. In 1979, he received a Bachelor of Laws from Alberta Law School, and in 1981 received a Masters degree in law from the London School of Economics. He was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar in 1980, when he commenced practising with Williams, Harris law firm. Mr. Harris currently practices law on his own in St. John's.

Elizabeth (Beth) Heneghan graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 1977, and she received her Bachelor of Laws in 1980. She was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar in 1980, and has sat on the board of several volunteer organizations during the past number of years. Ms. Heneghan currently has her own private practice in St. John's.

Rhodie Mercer received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University in the late 1960s. In 1971, he graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar in 1971. Mr. Mercer currently practices law with Mercer, MacNab, Vavasour & Fagan in St. John's.

Wayne Thistle graduated from Memorial University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education. In 1971, he received a Masters of Arts from Memorial, and in 1973, received a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie. Mr. Thistle was called to the Newfoundland Bar in 1974, articled with Robert M. Hall, and is currently working at Memorial University.

Claude Sheppard graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1971 with a Bachelor of Laws, and was called to the Newfoundland Bar later the same year. He started practising law with Lewis, Aylward, Crosbie, Day & Sparkes. Mr. Sheppard has been in private practice since 1985.

The appointees will receive their commissions as Queen's Counsel from Hon. A.M. House, Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland, at a date to be announced later.

Contact: Karen McCarthy, Director of Communications, (709)729-0110.

1998 01 02 10:10 a.m.