OTTAWA, October 30, 2003 - The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Martin Cauchon, today announced the following appointments:

J.C. Marc Richard, Q.C., of Saint John, is appointed a judge of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. He replaces Mr. Justice Ernest Drapeau, who was appointed Chief Justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal.

Mr. Justice Richard graduated in law from Moncton University in 1983, and obtained an LL.M. from the London School of Economics in 1984. He was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 1985.

Since 1993, Mr. Justice Richard was a partner in the law firm Barry Spalding Richard where he practised civil litigation, administrative law and insurance law. Previously, he also served as Crown counsel.

During his career, Mr. Justice Richard served as President of the Law Society of New Brunswick, as well as Vice-President and Treasurer. He is also past president of the Canadian Bar Association - New Brunswick Branch, and vice-president of the Supreme Court of Canada Liaison Committee. He was a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Saint John Law Society, and the Association des juristes d'expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick.

Mr. Justice Richard taught New Brunswick bar admission courses and is the author of various legal articles.

William T. Grant, Q.C., of Saint John, is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench and will be assigned to Saint John by the Chief Justice. He replaces Mr. Justice R.J. Guerette, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Grant graduated in law from the University of New Brunswick in 1978, and was called to the New Brunswick Bar the same year. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1996.

At the time of his appointment, Mr. Justice Grant was a partner in the law firm Gorman, Nason and was practising principally in the fields of litigation, estate law, employment law and administrative law.

Mr. Justice Grant was a member of the Saint John Law Society and the Law Society of New Brunswick Council. He also taught law at the University of New Brunswick.

Stephen J. McNally of Moncton, is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick and will be assigned to Moncton-Miramichi by the Chief Justice. He replaces Mr. Justice P.S. Creaghan, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice McNally graduated in law from the University of New Brunswick in 1984, and was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 1985.

Since 1998, he has been a partner in the law firm Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales where he practised civil litigation, mainly in the fields of insurance law, health law and employment law. Previously, he also practised law with the firm Drapeau, Robichaud & McNally.

During his career, Mr. Justice McNally was a member of the Canadian Bar Association and of the Moncton Area Lawyers Association and regularly served as a lecturer.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Catherine Gagnaire
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621