OTTAWA, April 10, 2003 - The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

Stephen D. Hillier, Q.C. of Edmonton is appointed a judge of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to Edmonton.

Mr. Justice Hillier received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1973, and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 1974. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner with the Edmonton firm of Field Atkinson Perraton LLP, and practiced primarily in the areas of labour, employment and administrative law. He is a Chartered Arbitrator.

Throughout his career, Mr. Justice Hillier has been a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta, Chair of the Labour Section of the Canadian Bar Association, and member of the Law Society of Alberta Professional Responsibility Committee. He has taught Professional Responsibility at the University of Alberta Law School, and has been an instructor of the Bar Admission Course. He is also the author of various publications in his area of expertise. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1992.

Julianna Topolniski, Q.C. of Edmonton is appointed a judge of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to Edmonton.

Madam Justice Topolniski received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1983, and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 1984. At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with Bishop & McKenzie where she practiced primarily in the areas of insolvency and commercial litigation.

She was also a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta where she served as Chair and member of several committees, such as the Finance Committee, the Civil Practice Advisory Committee, and the Credentials and Education Committee. Madam Justice Topolniski has been an instructor of the Bar Admission Course. In the past, she has also served as President of the Edmonton Bar Association, and has been a frequent presenter before various associations, including the Canadian Bar Association. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2000.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.: Mike Murphy
Special Assistant - Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621