Stay up to date on the latest accomplishments of our alumni—King’s Counsel designations, partnership announcements, judicial and government appointments, distinctions and awards!
HON. GEORGE RIDEOUT (LLB) was awarded the Order of Moncton in recognition of his exceptional and long-lasting contributions to the community. Rideout is considered the architect of “The Moncton Miracle,” an economic turnaround and shift in attitude that transformed the city and endures to this day.
CHERRILL EDWINA SHEA (LLB) was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws at UNB’s 43rd Convocation. A trailblazing lawyer and business leader, Cherrill built an impressive career spanning complex business litigation in Canada, the United States, and Europe. She later transitioned into the cellular and mobile data industry, where she was a pioneer in the 1980s and 1990s, leading advancements across North America, Europe, and Australia.
ALEX SCHOLTEN (LLB) was awarded the 2025 YMCA Peace Medallion, an honour recognizing individuals who bring peace to life through participation, empathy, advocacy, community, and empowerment. Alex was recognized for his work as New Maryland Deputy Mayor and Village Councillor, his work at Victory Meat Market, his support for Greener Village, his years of coaching youth soccer, and his commitment to helping newcomers thrive through the Business Immigrant Mentorship Program.
CHERYL HODDER, K.C. (LLB) was appointed to the Medavie Board, a national health solutions partner headquartered in Moncton, NB. Over her 30-year career as a lawyer, executive leader, and governance expert, Hodder has served on more than 30 boards. She has advised CEOs, senior leadership teams, and directors across sectors, including health, business, culture, and public service.
KRISTA J. MACKAY (LLB) was appointed as the new Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island. Chief Judge MacKay practised civil and criminal litigation with Cox & Palmer from 2001 to 2015, becoming a partner in 2008. In 2015, she joined Legal Aid, practising both family and criminal law. Prior to her appointment as a Provincial Court judge in 2020, MacKay served as Prothonotary and Registrar of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island.
HON. DOMINIC LEBLANC, P.C., K.C., M.P. (LLB) was voted Parliamentarian of the Year by fellow MPs. LeBlanc currently serves as Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, and Minister of Internal Trade. Over the past year, Minister LeBlanc has played a central role in Canada’s trade and intergovernmental agenda, including negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump during ongoing trade tensions, convening Canada’s 13 premiers to address internal trade barriers, and advancing major nation-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the national economy.
GEORGE L. COOPER, K.C. (LLB) was appointed the 10th Chancellor of Mount Allison University. Cooper serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Cox & Palmer, where he maintains a commercial litigation and transaction practice. He has contributed extensively to public and community service. He previously served as Chair of Mount Allison’s Board of Regents and Chair of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority.
MICHAEL EWENSON, K.C. (LLB) was appointed a judge of the Alberta Court of Justice, Calgary criminal division. Ewenson previously served as interim CEO of Alberta’s Police Review Commission and, prior to that, as acting and then permanent Executive Director of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team. He also spent more than 15 years with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service as a Crown Prosecutor, conducting complex criminal and homicide prosecutions, and later served as Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor, where he took on major litigation and managerial responsibilities.
MARY ANNE CAMPBELL (LLB) was appointed General Counsel at the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. In this role, she joins the executive team, providing strategic leadership and overseeing the organization’s legal functions, including policy development, internal appeals, and legal matters across the board. Campbell brings extensive experience from her time at the Nova Scotia Health Authority, where she served as Associate General Counsel.
MICHELLE KELLY, K.C. (LLB) was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, sitting in Bridgewater. She is widely respected for her broad and accomplished legal practice, as well as her commitment to advancing women’s rights and public service. Throughout her career, Justice Kelly has been deeply engaged in her community, volunteering with Alice House—an organization supporting women and children fleeing intimate-partner violence—and serving as President of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She has also been a leader within the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, serving as President and contributing to numerous committees, including as co-chair of the Gender Equity Committee.
GARY G. DEMEULENAERE, K.C. (LLB) was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown. Called to the Prince Edward Island bar in 2005, his legal career spans two decades. Justice Demeulenaere has built a broad and impactful litigation practice with a focus on commercial, healthcare, insurance, civil, criminal, and regulatory matters. He has also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service through his work with community organizations and the legal profession, including service on committees of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island and board involvement with the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada.
MORGAN PETERS (LLB) was named the National Executive of the Year for Large Chambers (2024–25) by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada (CCEC). Peters is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, where he has served for more than 13 years. This national recognition highlights his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to building a future-ready business community in Fredericton and beyond.
SARAH MACDONALD (LLB) was appointed Vice President, Construction Contracting and Commercial at Osisko Development. MacDonald has more than 18 years of experience in leadership roles spanning legal, contract, and corporate affairs. She joins from Dumas Contracting Ltd., a STRACON Group company, where she served as General Counsel and oversaw legal matters supporting underground mining operations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with a particular focus on construction contracting and complex commercial arrangements. She also led initiatives related to enterprise risk management, corporate governance, and sustainability reporting, and supported projects and partnerships involving major mining companies, including Torex Gold Resources Inc. and Pan American Silver Corp.
ROSE CAMPBELL (LLB) was appointed Judge of the Provincial Court of New Brunswick, sitting in Woodstock. With 15 years of experience at the Office of the Attorney General of New Brunswick, including recent work in the constitutional law unit, Judge Campbell brings deep experience to the bench and a strong commitment to public service.
MAURYAH MCLAUGHLIN (JD) has joined Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s Calgary office as a Partner in the firm’s Energy Group. McLaughlin’s practice is focused on mergers and acquisitions, with deep experience leading complex, high-value transactions in Canada and internationally. In addition to the energy sector, she leads transactions across health care, real estate and land assets, senior living, technology, and hospitality.
CARLA SAUNDERS (JD) was appointed Lead Counsel at Maximus Canada, where she oversees the firm’s legal and contracts function, providing strategic counsel on governance, compliance, and regulatory matters. Saunders brings over a decade of experience in corporate/commercial law, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and facilitating innovative change.
AMBER CHISHOLM (JD) was appointed chair of the NB Human Rights Commission. Chisholm worked as a lawyer with a private firm until 2018, then joined the Public Legal Education & Information Service of New Brunswick, where she currently serves as associate director. She has worked to ensure access to justice rights for vulnerable groups in New Brunswick and provided support to marginalized people and communities in the areas of family law, tenant rights, access to justice in both official languages, sexual harassment in the workplace, and the rights of LGBTQ2IA+ people.
JUSTIN HEWITT (JD) was appointed to the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador. A Partner at Stewart McKelvey in St. John’s, Hewitt represents businesses, organizations, and individuals in a wide range of corporate, commercial, and real estate matters. His leadership and expertise will be an asset to the YMCA, an organization that has been strengthening communities in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1854 through programs in health and fitness, childcare, employment, and newcomer services.
ALEX PATE (JD) was named Partner at Gorham Vandebeek, Trial and Appeal Lawyers. Pate regularly appears on criminal matters throughout New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. His practice focuses on drinking and driving offences, assault, drug and firearm offences, theft, robbery, and other criminal offences.
