Queen's Counsel Appointments Announced

The Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, today announced appointments to Queen's counsel by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

"The appointment as Queen's counsel is a prestigious honour which recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated a devotion to the legal profession in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Collins. "Those appointed this year exemplify the qualities of Queen's counsel such as professionalism and dedication and I congratulate them on their appointment."

Queen's counsel comprises senior barristers who have served a minimum of 10 years in the legal profession, have gained the respect of the legal community and who are in good standing with the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Appointments are made on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General after consultation with the Legal Appointments Board as outlined in the Queen's Counsel Act.

Those appointed to Queen's counsel are F. Geoffrey Aylward, Lisa A. Byrne, Michael J. Crosbie, Calvin L. Lake, James E. Maher, Heather L.C. Mills, Robert P. Pittman, Terrance G. Rowe, and Graham A. Wells.

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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Biographies – Queen's Counsel Appointments

F. Geoffrey Aylward has practised law since 1983 and is a partner with the law firm of Aylward, Chislett & Whitten. He graduated from Memorial University in 1979 (joint honours degree, economics and political science; gold medal in economics) and Osgoode Hall Law School in 1983. From 2003 to 2004, he was the chairperson of the National Civil Litigation Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Mr. Aylward founded, and is the publisher of, the Newfoundland and Labrador Case Digest which is in its 18th year. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association and a public representative on the Discipline Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Clubs International and has served as a member of the provincial advisory board for the CNIB.

Lisa Anne Byrne attended Memorial University receiving a bachelor of commerce (honours) in 1981. During her legal education at the University of New Brunswick, she received the Canadian Bar Association New Brunswick Branch scholarship and graduated in 1984. Following her call to the bar in 1985, she commenced private practice and served as Vice-Chair of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Tribunal, until she joined the Civil Division of the Department of Justice in 1987. During her public practice, Ms. Byrne was seconded to the Hibernia Development Project negotiations. In 1993, Ms. Byrne returned to private practice with the firm Benson Myles, before establishing Byrne Law Office in 2002. Her practice areas include corporate, personal injury, employment, estates and family law. Ms. Byrne has volunteered with numerous organizations, including the Girl Guides of Canada, committees of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and has served as vice chair of the Downtown Development Commission. She is a recipient of the Gordon M. Stirling Distinguished Service Award of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Michael J. Crosbie is a partner in the St. John's office of the Atlantic Canadian law firm of McInnes Cooper. He was admitted to the bar in 1983 and is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian Bar Association. His law practice is focused upon property law and related litigation. Mr. Crosbie has been particularly involved in municipal tax assessment, expropriation and property value cases. He has been a Bar Admission Course Instructor in Civil Procedure for over 15 years. Mr. Crosbie is a frequent presenter at Canadian Property Tax Association Conferences and a past president and honourary life member of Personal Credit Counselling Service.

Calvin Lake is a native of Fortune. He was educated at Haddon Academy, Fortune, Memorial University and the University of New Brunswick. He is the holder of the degrees of bachelor of arts and master of arts and the degree of bachelor of law. He was called to the bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in April 1980. He has been employed in the Office of the Legislative Counsel since his call to the bar. In November 1991 he was appointed Chief Legislative Counsel, a position he continues to hold.

James E. Maher graduated from Memorial University in 1981 with a bachelor of arts (political science). He attended the University of Western Ontario in London where he received a bachelor of law in 1984. He was called to the bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1985 and worked as a Crown attorney with the Department of Justice. In that role he conducted an extensive trial practice before the Supreme Court, Trial Division. In 1999 he became Senior Crown Attorney (Eastern) overseeing criminal prosecutions on the Avalon Peninsula. In 2008 he transferred to the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. Since age 15 he has been legally blind. He has been a volunteer with the CNIB for over 25 years and is currently the Chair of the CNIB Board for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Heather L. C. Mills is from Botwood and graduated from Memorial University in 1979 with a bachelor of science and received a bachelor of law from Dalhousie University in 1983. Ms. Mills articled with the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission and has practised with the commission since her call to the bar in 1985. She is a member of the Seaport Figure Skating Club executive and the Botwood Collegiate School Council.

Robert Philip Pittman is the sole practitioner of Robert P. Pittman Law Office in St. John's and has been practising law since 1977. Originally from Lamaline, he graduated from Memorial University with a bachelor of arts and bachelor of education and spent several years teaching high school on the west coast of the province. He received his law degree from the University of New Brunswick in 1977 and practised for many years as partner with the Aylward, Morris and Pittman Law Firm. Mr. Pittman operates a private practice which offers legal services in most disciplines, with particular focus in the areas of municipal law, corporate and commercial, estate planning and real estate law. Mr. Pittman is a past-president of the Canadian Bar Association - Newfoundland and Labrador branch, past national director of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association, and Past-President of the St. John's YM-YWCA. As well, he has been actively involved in numerous professional, community and recreational organizations, holding various executive positions and continues as a Course Lecturer of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Bar Admissions Program. He is currently president of the Rotary Club of St. John's, and chair of the Queen's College Corporation Foundation.

Terry Rowe graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Memorial University in 1978 and a bachelor of law from the University of New Brunswick in 1982. He was called to the bar in 1982 and began practice with the St John's law firm Martin Whalen Hennebury Stamp, where he has been a partner since 1989. His practice focuses primarily on the areas of insurance, construction and civil litigation. Mr. Rowe was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2002 and again in 2006. He has chaired and served on several committees of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Graham A. Wells graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1980 with a bachelor of law. He has worked exclusively in private practice since his call to the bar. He is a director of Wells & Company Plc Inc. Mr. Wells' practice focuses extensively in the areas of residential real estate, wills, probate & administration and elder Law. He has served the public in various capacities – including a career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and as a former chairperson of the Canada Pension Review Tribunal.

2010 02 05                       10:15 a.m.