Department of Justice

MANITOBA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, October 7, 1998 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments.

The Honourable Mr. Justice John A. Menzies, a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba (Family Division) in Brandon, is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba in Brandon. He replaces Mr. Justice V. Simonsen, who resigned.

Mr. Justice Menzies graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1980 and was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1981. Before his appointment to the Court of Queen's Bench (Family Division) in 1996, Mr. Justice Menzies practised law with the firm of Johnson & Company.

Morris Kaufman of Winnipeg is appointed a judge of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench in Winnipeg. He replaces the Honourable W.R. DeGraves, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Kaufman graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1967 and was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1968. Mr. Justice Kaufman first practised law with the firm of Yanofsky & Pollock and then as a senior attorney with Legal Aid. From 1976 to 1978, he practised in partnership with K. Arenson and from 1978 to 1987 was a sole practitioner in Winnipeg. He has since founded and practised with the firm of Kaufman, Cassidy, Ramsay. Mr. Justice Kaufman has practised mainly civil litigation, native law and criminal law.

Laurie Patricia Allen, Q.C. of Winnipeg is appointed a judge of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench (Family Division) in Winnipeg. She replaces Mr. Justice J.A. Menzies who was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench.

Madame Justice Allen graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1975 and was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1976. Madam Justice Allen first practised law with the firm of McCaffrey, Akman, Carr, Starr and Prober. She had a general practice in Winnipeg as a sole practitioner from 1981 to 1985 and then joined the firm of Cherniack, Allen of which she is a partner. Madam Justice Allen has practised civil litigation, family law, child protection law, real estate, and estate law.

Madam Justice Allen has been a Bencher of the Law Society since 1990 and Chair of the LEAF Endowment Fund Campaign. From 1985 to 1988, she was a Member and Chairperson of the Manitoba Police Commission.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Douglas Dale Yard of Winnipeg is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba (Family Division) in Winnipeg. He replaces Madam Justice C.M. Bowman, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Yard graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1974 and was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1975. Mr. Justice Yard has been practising law with the firm of Levine, Levene, Tadman and has practised mainly civil and criminal litigation with emphasis on family and child protection litigation. Mr. Justice Yard was counsel to The Children's Aid Society.

Mr. Justice Yard has been a Bencher of the Law Society since 1992 and has lectured extensively on various subjects related to child protection.

This appointment is effective October 13, 1998.

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Ref. :       Johanne Senécal
             Minister's Office
             (613) 992-4621