Justice
June 13, 2014

New Provincial Court Judge for Labrador

Phyllis Harris Appointed to Happy Valley-Goose Bay

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Justice, and the Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General, are pleased to announce that Phyllis A. Harris has been appointed to the bench as a Provincial Court Judge. Ms. Harris will sit at the court in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, replacing retired Judge William English.

“I congratulate Ms. Harris on her appointment and I am confident that the experience she has gained in private practice and as a Crown Attorney will serve her well as she administers justice in Labrador. She is a great addition to the bench in the province. I also congratulate Judge English for the work he has done on behalf of the justice system and wish him well in retirement.”
- The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Justice

Ms. Harris was called to the bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1993 and worked in private practice until 1999 when she joined the Provincial Government as a Crown Attorney in Clarenville. Beginning in 2005, she served as the Senior Crown in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for four years before continuing her career in St. John’s.

“Having worked in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as a the Senior Crown Attorney for a number years, Ms. Harris has direct experience in dealing with the uniqueness and the challenges associated with the justice system in Labrador. She will be an asset to the judiciary in the province.”
- The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General

Ms. Harris’ biography can be found in the backgrounder below.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information

Phyllis A. Harris completed a Bachelor of Arts at Memorial University in 1989 and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1992. After being called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 1993, she practised with Williams, Harris, Roebothan & McKay until 1996 when she moved to Gittens and Associates as an associate. Ms. Harris started her own private practice (Perry, Harris) in 1999 before joining the Public Prosecutions Office as Crown Attorney in Clarenville. In 2005, Ms. Harris moved to Happy Valley-Goose Bay as the Senior Crown Attorney and stayed there until moving back to St. John’s in 2009 as a Policy Advisor for Public Prosecutions and then again as a Crown Attorney and a Working Group Manager. Outside of the legal profession, Ms. Harris is actively involved in Avalon Equestrian, served as a Bencher with the Law Society and worked with UNICEF at the local, regional and national levels for 10 years.

2014 06 013                                        12:15 p.m.