Minister Announces Judicial Appointments

The Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, today announced the appointment of two individuals to the position of judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pamela J. Goulding, Q.C. has been appointed to Provincial Court in St. John’s effective January 30 and Laura A. Mennie, Q.C. has been appointed to Provincial Court in Stephenville effective January 31.

“Ms. Goulding and Ms. Mennie have a wealth of legal expertise which has made them well-suited to the duties of a Provincial Court judge,” said Minister Collins. “They join the bench with a great deal of legal experience and knowledge. I welcome and congratulate them on their new positions.”

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

Biographical Information

Laura A. Mennie, Q.C. graduated from Memorial University in 1989 with a first class Bachelor of Arts (History and French). In 1989, she received the Lord Beaverbrook Scholarship in Law from the University of New Brunswick. Ms. Mennie graduated from that university with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1992. Upon completing her articles with the law firms of Stewart, McKelvey and Poole, Althouse, Ms. Mennie was called to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador on April 12, 1993. After one year as an associate lawyer with Poole, Althouse, Ms. Mennie joined the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission in June of 1994. From 1994 to 2007, her practice with the commission focused primarily on the areas of family and criminal law litigation. In September 2007, Ms. Mennie accepted a position as solicitor in the Family Litigation Unit and served as legal counsel for the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services in the Western Region. She has appeared before all levels of court in the province. Ms. Mennie was appointed Queen’s Counsel in June 2011. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Laws (LLM degree) at Osgoode Hall Law School specializing in family law. She is expected to complete her degree in June. Ms. Mennie is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pamela J. Goulding, Q.C., born in Grand Falls-Windsor, attended Mount Allison University in New Brunswick where she studied philosophy, and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1985 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She articled with the Crown Attorneys’ office and was called to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1986. Ms. Goulding has held the position of Crown Attorney and in 2001 became the Senior Crown Attorney in charge of the Special Prosecutions Office. That office is responsible for prosecuting complex and sensitive criminal cases, extradition matters and appeals. She conducted an extensive appellate practice which included more than 100 appearances before the Court of Appeal. Ms. Goulding also argued two murder appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada. She was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions in 2006. Ms. Goulding was appointed Queen’s Counsel in October 2008. In that position, she has instituted an extensive rejuvenation of the Public Prosecutions Division following the recommendations of the Lamer Report. Ms. Goulding served as vice-chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association Newfoundland and Labrador Branch. Ms. Goulding is a supporter of a number of local charitable groups and organizations. She holds a black belt in the martial art of Taekwon-Do (ITF).

2012 02 01                              3:50 p.m.