BRITISH COLUMBIA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, October 11, 2002 -- The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments.:

John D. Truscott, Q.C. of Vancouver, is appointed a judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court. He replaces Mr. Justice T.M. Singh who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Truscott received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 1970, and was admitted to the Law Society of British Columbia in 1972.  At the time of his appointment, he was a partner with the Vancouver firm of Guild, Yule and Company specializing in civil and commercial litigation.  Mr. Justice Truscott was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1998.

Laura B. Gerow of Vancouver, is appointed a judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court. She replaces Mr. Justice D. Vickers who was transferred to Victoria to replace

Mr. Justice F.A. Melvin who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Gerow received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1981, and was admitted to the Law Society of British Columbia in 1982.  At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with the Vancouver firm of Harper Gray Easton specializing in civil litigation and alternate dispute resolution.  Active in the management of Harper Gray Easton, Madam Justice Gerow has served in various capacities on many firm committees including as Head of the Insurance Law Practice Group and as Chair of the Compensation Committee.Madam Justice Gerow has been an Instructor in Insurance Law and Mediation for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia and the Pacific Business & Law Institute.  She has also been a member of the “Law Week” Committee of the British Columbia Branch of Canadian Bar Association.

James W. Williams of Vancouver, is appointed a judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court.  He replaces Mr. Justice D.L. Clancy who resigned.

Mr. Justice Williams received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1984, and was admitted to the Law Society of British Columbia in 1985.  In 1990, he became a partner with the Vancouver firm of Smart & Williams practicing primarily in criminal defence litigation and prosecution.  Mr. Justice Williams has appeared before both the trial and appellate courts in British Columbia as well as before various administrative tribunals.

Mr. Justice Williams has been an Instructor-Panelist for various legal courses for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Trial Lawyers’ Association of British Columbia.  He served as a Volunteer Coach for the Peter Burns Moot Team at the University of British Columbia and is a former Board Member of the Lawyers’ Assistance Program.

David M. Masuhara of Vancouver, is appointed a judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court.  He replaces Mr. Justice D.W. Shaw who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Masuhara obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1982, and was admitted to the Law Society of British Columbia in 1983. He began as corporate counsel with BC Gas Utility Company where, at the time of his appointment, he was Vice-President (Legal, Regulatory & Logistics) and Corporate Secretary.

Throughout his career, Mr. Justice Masuhara has been active with various legal and professional organizations.  He is a former Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and, prior to his appointment, was serving as a Member of the Special Compensation Fund of the Law Society of British Columbia.  He has been a presenter at numerous professional and academic conferences in the field of energy and regulatory matters.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.: Irène Arseneau
Minister’s Office
(613) 992-4621