Justice Minister announces appointments to Queen�s Counsel

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tom Marshall announced today eight lawyers have been appointed Queen�s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

"These individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession," said Minister Marshall. "I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to each of them on receiving such a distinguished honour."

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. The 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:

Stephanie Lynn Newell received a bachelor of commerce (honours) from Memorial University in 1984 and graduated from Dalhousie University with a bachelor of laws 1987. She was admitted to the Bar in1988. Ms. Newell is a partner with O� Dea Earle Law Offices and practices in family law, administrative law and employment labour law, including attendances before all levels of court, labour boards, arbitration panels, human rights tribunal�s boards of inquiry and mediators. She is the immediate past president of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and currently the Newfoundland and Labrador representative to the Federation of Law Societies.

Brian V. Murphy received a bachelor of arts with distinction from McGill University and a bachelor of laws from Dalhousie University. Mr. Murphy was admitted to the Bar in 1988 and is a partner with Monaghan, Murphy and Watton in Corner Brook. He is currently a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and is a former member of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association.

Glenda Cynthia Best graduated with a bachelor of arts (honours) from Acadia University in 1982 and received her bachelor of laws from the University of Windsor in 1985. Ms. Best is currently a partner with Roebothan McKay and Marshall and practices principally in the areas of personal injury, family law and civil litigation. Ms. Best has acted as a legal agent for the federal government in areas of Canada Pension disability claims and employment insurance issues. She has served as a director of the St. John�s Board of Trade and Kittiwake Dance Theatre and has served as chair of Family Mediation Newfoundland and Labrador and co-chair of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Subsection. Ms. Best is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Bar Association; and a member of the Atlantic Provinces, the Ontario and the American Trial Lawyers Associations.

Edward Joseph Cardwell received a bachelor of laws from Dalhousie University in 1979 and was admitted to the Bar in 1980. Mr. Cardwell has worked in private practice, as a staff solicitor with the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission and is currently a senior Crown attorney in Gander. He is a member of the Gander Rotary Club, a former member of the Kinsmen Club of Marystown and past chair of the Burin Peninsula Child Protection Team in Marystown.

Stephen D. Marshall graduated from Memorial University with a bachelor of commerce in 1982 and received his bachelor of laws from the University of New Brunswick in 1985. Mr. Marshall was called to the Bar in 1986 and is currently a partner with Roebothan McKay and Marshall. He has been very active in Avalon Peninsula sporting community as a player in the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League and Avalon East Senior Hockey League, president of the St. John�s Caps Hockey Club and general manager of the 1987 Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Winter Games Team He is the past commodore of the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club, is currently a member of the St. John�s Port Authority and was awarded the 2000 Gordon M. Stirling Q.C. award for contributions to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thomas W. Fraize received a bachelor of commerce (honours) from Memorial University in 1977 and graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a bachelor of laws in 1982. He was admitted to the Bar in 1982 and currently practices under the firm name Fraize Law Offices. Mr. Fraize has extensive experience in commercial, contract and property law, as well draft lending documentation. He has been a lecturer at the Cabot Institute, now College of the North Atlantic, since 1983, was a member of the Trust Rules Committee of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and is currently chair of the real estate committee. Mr. Fraize is the honourary solicitor of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Veterans Association and is an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 56.

Thomas E. Williams graduated from Memorial University with a bachelor of arts 1984 and received a bachelor of laws from the University of New Brunswick in 1987. He was admitted to the Bar in 1988. Mr. Williams is currently a partner with O�Dea Earle Law Offices and practices in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation and administrative law. He has served as chair of the St. John�s Local Board of Appeal, City of St. John�s and vice-chair of the City of St. John�s Transportation Commission. He is currently chair of the Stella Burry Foundation and has served as vice-chair of the of the Roman Catholic School Board for St. John�s (Board of Trustees) and chairman of the Special Events Committee for the Grace Hospital Health Foundation. He has also served as chairman of the Advisory Board Committee for YM-YWCA Enterprise Centre, chairman of the University of New Brunswick Provincial Alumni Association Committee and is currently a member of the St. Bonaventure Old Boys Association.

Valerie Lynn Marshall received a bachelor of science (mathematics) Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1986 and graduated from Dalhousie University with masters of business administration and bachelor of laws in 1991. She was called to the Bar in 1992 and is currently a sole practitioner. She mainly practices in the areas of administrative law, employment law, civil litigation, business law, human rights law, wills and estates, property law and personal injury. She has served as vice-chair and is currently chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board and has served as chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Certification Review Panel. She has also worked as a human rights adjudicator with the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission and a sessional lecturer with Memorial University in business law and mathematics. She is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Law Foundation Scholarship Committee.

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

2006 03 16                                              2:40 p.m.