NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, March 2, 2007 -- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Michael F. Harrington, Q.C., a senior partner with the law firm of Stewart McKelvey in St. John's is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division. He replaces Mr. Justice Raymond J. Halley (St. John's) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Michael Harrington r eceived a Bachelor of Laws in 1972 from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts (History/Political Science) in 1969 from Memorial University and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1972. Mr. Justice Harrington practised with Stirling Ryan in St. John's (1972-1990) which merged to become Stewart McKelvey in 1990. His practice expertise is in the area of litigation, administrative law and oil and gas law. He was named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was a Direct or, Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation. He has acted as a Member of the Board of Directors of St. Patrick's Mercy Home and of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

The Honourable Gillian D. Butler, Q.C., a sole practitioner with the office of Gillian D. Butler, Q.C., PLC Inc. in St. John's is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division. She replaces Madam Justice M.E. Noonan ( St. John's) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Gillian Butler received a Bachelor of Laws in 1980 from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in 1977 from Memorial University and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1980. She practised with White Ottenheimer and Baker in St. John's (1980-2001) and was awarded Certificates in Basic and Advanced Mediation from the University of Windsor in 1994 and 1996 before opening her own l itigation and mediation office in 2001 . Madam Justice Butler's practice expertise is in the area of civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. She has acted as an a djudicator for the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and as Chair of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador. Madam Justice Butler is married to David D. McKay and is the mother of Heather and Ian.

The Honourable William Herbert Goodridge, Q.C., a lawyer with the law firm of Stewart McKelvey in St. John's is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division. He replaces Mr. Justice R. Fowler (Happy Valley/Goose Bay) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice William Goodridge received a Bachelor of Laws in 1982 from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in 1979 from Memorial University and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1982. He practised with the law firm of Stirling Ryan in St. John's (1982-1990) which merged to become Stewart McKelvey in 1990. Mr. Justice Goodridge's practice expertise is in the area of civil litigation. He has acted as President and Bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and as President and Vice-President of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. In the community, Mr. Justice Goodridge has also acted as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Basilica Foundation and of Crime Stoppers of Newfoundland.These appointments are effective immediately.

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Geneviève Breton
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
613-992-4621