OTTAWA, September 17, 2003 -- The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

Kendra D. Coats of Hamilton is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice, and will be assigned to Milton by the Chief Justice.

Madam Justice Coats received a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1984, and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986.

Prior to her appointment, Madam Justice Coats was a partner with Ross & McBridde LLP in Hamilton. She practised primarily in family law and acted as the firm's Vice-chairperson. In the past, she has been President and Trustee of the Hamilton Law Association, a member of the Ontario Family Law Rules Committee, as well as a member of the Community Liaison Committee for Ontario Court (General Division). She is a frequent lecturer on family law matters.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Catherine Gagnaire
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621