Justice Minister announces Queen�s Counsel appointments

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tom Marshall announced today Brigadier General Kenneth Watkin and Geoffrey E. J. Brown have been appointed Queen�s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

"Both of these lawyers have impeccable reputations amongst their colleagues and their contributions to the practice of law are worthy of such a distinguished honour," said Minister Marshall. "These appointments are in addition to the eight previously announced this past March and I would like once again to extend my sincere congratulations to each of them."

Queen�s Counsel comprises senior barristers who have served a minimum of 10 years in the legal profession, who have gained the respect of their clients and peers and are in good standing with the Bar. Queen�s Counsel appointments are made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General after consultation with the Legal Appointments Board established under the Queen�s Counsel Act.

Those appointed to Queen�s Counsel are as follows:

Geoffrey Edmund James Brown received a bachelor of arts in political science from Memorial University in 1975 and an LLB from the University of British Columbia 1978. Called to the Bar in 1979, he is a partner with Stewart McKelvy Sterling Scales and his practice includes commercial real estate development, construction law, insurance law and securities. Since 1997 he has served as honourary counsel to the Corporation of Queens College, is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and has lectured for both continuing legal education programs and the Law Society of Bar Admissions Course.

Brigadier General Kenneth Watkin has recently been appointed judge advocate general of the Canadian Armed Forces. A member of the Canadian Forces Legal Branch for over 24 years, he has served as the deputy judge advocate operations at the time of 911 campaign against terrorism; trial counsel at court martial and appellate counsel before the court martial appeal courts; legal advisor of Canadian Armed Forces Base Petawawa; and as the assistant judge advocates general Atlantic Region where he received the Maritime Commanders Commendation. In 2002 he was appointed to the Order of Military Merit by the Governor General of Canada. He was a legal advisor to an inquiry into activities of the Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group in Somalia, as well as investigations arising from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and legal advisor to the Canadian Navy in Bosnia. Brigadier General Watkin has a bachelor of arts from the Royal Military College as well a bachelor and master of laws from Queen�s University and has been a visiting fellow at the Human Rights Program, Harvard Law School. He has been a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1981.

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2006 05 15                      2:25 p.m.