OTTAWA, April 11, 2003 -- The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Monique Métivier of the Superior Court of Justice is appointed Regional Senior Judge for the East Region. She replaces Mr. Justice J.D. Cunningham who was appointed Associate Chief Justice of the same court.

Madam Justice Métivier received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa in 1977, and was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1979. Following her call to the Bar, she practised law with the firm of Solloway Wright and Associates, and then as a sole practitioner before founding the firm of Steinberg Métivier Allard. She has served as a judge of the Superior Court since 1995 when she was first appointed. Madam Justice Métivier becomes the first woman to be appointed to the position of Regional Senior Judge, East region.

Fletcher Dawson of London is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to Brampton. He replaces Mr. Justice B.T. Granger who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Dawson received a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University in 1975, and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1986. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1977. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner with Cohen Highley LLP in London, Ontario, and practised primarily in criminal law, as well as in administrative law matters. He has appeared before both the trial and appellate courts and various administrative tribunals. Mr. Justice Dawson has served as Vice-President of the Criminal Lawyers' Association of Ontario and as Director of the Criminal Lawyers' Association of London. He is a Founding Director of the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers.

Randall S. Echlin of Toronto is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to Toronto. He replaces Mr. Justice G.F. Day who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Echlin received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto in 1975, and was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1977. At the time of his appointment, he was a partner with the Toronto firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP where he practised primarily in employment law and participated in alternate dispute resolution mediations and arbitrations. He has published many articles and books in his area of expertise. He is a past Chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Branch and is a certified specialist in civil litigation. He has taught Employment Law at the University of Toronto, and has been an Instructor of the Bar Admission Course.

Giovanna Roccamo (née Toscano) of Ottawa is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to Ottawa. She replaces Madam Justice Monique Métivier, appointed as Regional Senior Judge for the East Region.

Madam Justice Roccamo received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa in 1983, and was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1985. Prior to her appointment, she was a partner with Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP, practising primarily in civil litigation, with emphasis on insurance and personal injury matters. Previous to that, she was a partner with the firm Brennan Tunney Niebergall Emond. She has experience before the trial and appellate courts, as well as various administrative tribunals. She has been a frequent panellist and has published several articles and books in her area of expertise. She has served as an Instructor of the Bar Admission Course, as President and Trustee of the County of Carleton Law Association, and as a member of the American Trial Lawyers' Association.

These appointments come into effect immediately.

Helen A. Rady of London is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice and will be assigned by the Chief Justice to London. She will replace Mr. Justice E.R. Browne who will become supernumerary judge in May of this year.

Madam Justice Rady received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario in 1981. She was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1983. At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with the London firm of Harrison Pensa and practised primarily in civil litigation, including professional liability matters, medical malpractice and commercial litigation. She has appeared before the trial and appellate courts, as well as various administrative tribunals. She has been an Instructor of the Bar Admission Course.

This appointment comes into effect May 19, 2003.

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Ref.:

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