ONTARIO JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA , October 12, 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 Gloria J. Epstein, a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario, is appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Madam Justice Epstein will fill the remaining pool position at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

Madam Justice Epstein graduated from the University of Toronto Law School in 1977 and received an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario in 1972. She was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1979, she practiced in the litigation department of Fasken and Calvin (1979-1982) concentrating on general civil litigation. Joined the litigation department of Fraser and Beatty from 1982-1985. Started her own firm, Gloria Epstein and Associates in 1985. Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division) in 1993. Appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario in 1999. Madam Justice Epstein lectured at the University of Toronto, York University, the Advocates’ Society Institute, Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She was National secretary and member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council of Christian and Jews and Honourary member of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation Board. She received the Queen’s University 125 th Anniversary Entrance Scholarship in 1968 and received the School of Business Scholarship in 1969, 1970 and 1971 for academic achievement.

The Honourable John David Watt , a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario, is appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He will replace Madam Justice Karen M. Weiler, in Toronto, who elected supernumerary status on September 1, 2007.

Mr. Justice Watt received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario in 1970. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1972, and he has served as: Counsel, Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions Branch; Ministry of the Attorney General ( Ontario) (1972-1976); Deputy Director (1976-1977), and Senior Crown Counsel (1977-1985). He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1985 and appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario in 1999. He has continually been involved in

education throughout his lengthy career as lecturer, visiting various universities and law societies. He has authored several criminal law publications. Mr. Justice Watt was presented with the Harrison Tweed Award for Special Merit in Continuing Legal Education from ALI-ABA in 1998.

The Honourable Edward F. Then , a judge of the Superior Court of Justice in and for the Province of Ontario is appointed Regional Senior Judge in that Court in the Toronto Region. He will replace Honourable Warren K. Winkler who was appointed Chief Justice of Ontario on June 1, 2007.

Mr. Justice Then received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Toronto in 1970, was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1972 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1982. Mr. Justice Then served as Counsel - Crown Law Office (Criminal), Ministry of the Attorney General – Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions 1972-1982. Was Deputy Director, Crown Law Office as well as Director of Crown Law Office 1982-1989. Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario, Trial Division (High Court) in 1989. Appointed Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division) 1990. Was a faculty Member and Regional Planner – National Criminal Law Program, Federation of Law Societies 1984-2001. Assisted as a team member of the Criminal Long Trials and Homicide from1995 – 2000 and as Team Leader from 1999-2000. Mr. Justice Then was Team Leader and Administrative Judge for the Divisional Court 2000-2004. Was member of Criminal Long Trial from 2004-2007 and Team Leader in 2006.

Special interest areas include Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law and Civil Litigation. He was also Editor of a Divisional Court Handbook distributed to all Superior Court Judges. Mr. Justice Then is author to numerous articles on civil and criminal law topics and panellist in many continuing legal education programs for both lawyers and judges on civil and criminal law topics.

These appointments are effective immediately.

-30-

Ref.:

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