Justice and Public Safety
July 4, 2017
New Director of Public Prosecutions Appointed
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, welcomed today the appointment of Jennifer Mercer, QC, as acting Director of Public Prosecutions, effective immediately. Ms. Mercer replaces Justice Francis Knickle, who was appointed to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in May.
In early 2017, Ms. Mercer moved to the Northeast Avalon from Labrador, where she was Senior Crown Attorney, to serve as Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (Acting). She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in March 2017.
Quotes
“Ms. Mercer brings extensive expertise to her new role as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. Throughout her career as a Crown Prosecutor, Ms. Mercer has always shown a high level of professionalism, compassion and fairness toward those involved in prosecutions. I am confident she will continue to make a tremendous contribution to the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Amy Stoodley
Justice and Public Safety
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BACKGROUNDER
Biography
Jennifer L. Mercer, QC attended Université Ste-Anne, where she completed intensive French Immersion and her Bachelier dès Arts (français). Her studies continued at Dalhousie Law School from where she graduated in 1997.
Jennifer articled with Miller & Hearn in Labrador City and was admitted to the Bar in 1998, winning both the Hunt and Penny Awards. She worked as a lawyer in general practice with Miller & Hearn until 2007 when she joined the Department of Justice and Public Safety as a Crown Attorney in Wabush, subsequently becoming Senior Crown Attorney (Labrador) in 2015.
In early 2017, Jennifer moved to the Northeast Avalon to assume the position of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (Acting). She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in March 2017.
She has enjoyed offering her time to volunteer with, among others, NLOWE, the Rotary Club, Polaris Figure Skating Club Board of Directors, and most recently Team Genesis Synchronized Skating.
2017 07 04 3:15 p.m.