BRITISH COLUMBIA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA , April 15, 2005 – Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Elizabeth A. Arnold-Bailey of Vancouver is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She replaces Mr. Justice R.R. Holmes who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Arnold-Bailey received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1978, and was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1979.

She was first appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia in 1990. Prior to her appointment, she served as General Counsel to the Legal Services Society of British Columbia, General Counsel to the Ombudsman of British Columbia and Director of the Vancouver Ombudsman Office. In addition, she has been a professor at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law.

J. Miriam Gropper of Vancouver is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She replaces Mr. Justice D.H. Vickers who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Gropper received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Victoria and was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1981.

Prior to her appointment, Madam Justice Gropper was a partner with the firm Black, Gropper and Company and practised primarily in the areas of civil litigation and labour law.

In the past, she has been a member of the Ministry of Labour’s Labour Relations Code Review Committee. She is a former member of the Board of Directors for the B.C. Courthouse Library Society, past Vice-Chair and Member of the Liquor Appeals Board and past member of the Commercial Appeals Commission.

Loryl D. Russell of Vancouver is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She replaces Mr. Justice G.P. Fraser who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Russell received a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1980 from the University of British Columbia . She was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1981.

Prior to her appointment, Madam Justice Russell was a sole practitioner. In the past, she has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association civil litigation and labour subsections and a frequent instructor at the Continuing Legal Education Society.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Denise Rudnicki
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621