Here’s what some of our alumni have been up to since our last issue

Stay up-to-date on the accomplishments of our alumni—Queen’s Counsel announcements, government appointments, distinctions, awards, and career updates.

2022 Queen’s Counsel Appointments

Congratulations to the five UNB Law Alumni, who received the Queen’s Counsel designation in recognition of their high level of personal and professional integrity, and for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession.

Nova Scotia

• Melanie S. Comstock, QC (LLB ’98)
• Kevin A. Kindred, QC (LLB ’01)

Newfoundland & Labrador

• Renee L. Appleby, QC (LLB ’07)
• Michael Ladha, QC (LLB ’09)
• Carey S. Majid, QC (LLB ’99)

‘70

LAWSON A.W. HUNTER, QC (LLB, LLD ‘11) was appointed to the Order of Canada. He was recognized for his distinguished career in government, business and private practice as one of the country’s leading competition and antitrust lawyers. Lawson has worked with the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, as Commissioner of the Competition Bureau, Executive Vice-President and Chief Corporate Officer of Bell Canada and BCE Inc, and Senior Counsel with Stikeman Elliott.

‘81

THE HON. WADE MacLAUCHLAN, CM, OPEI (LLB) was appointed Chair and member of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments. The group will work throughout the spring and summer to identify potential candidates  to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Michael J. Moldaver.

‘83

DONALD A. MacLEOD, QC (LLB) was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Shipowners Protection and Indemnity Association. He has served on the board for twenty years, previously as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Finance Committee. MacLeod is Counsel at McInnes Cooper in Halifax, NS, supporting ocean and marine related initiatives.

‘91

LYDIA BUGDEN, QC (LLB) was named an Atlantic Business 2022 Top 50 CEO Award winner. CEO & Managing Partner at Stewart McKelvey in Halifax, NS, she is a five-time winner of the award and is now a member of their Hall of Fame.

‘93

DENNIS N. CLARKE (LLB) was re-appointed to the Board Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre. Clarke is a partner at Goodland Buckingham Barristers and Solicitors in St. John’s. He is Chair of the Board of C-Core and is a board member of Aurion Resources Ltd, Swilers RFC and Rainbow Riders.

KEVIN J. KILEY (LLB) was named an Atlantic Business 2022 Top 50 CEO Award Winner. Kiley is Managing Partner at McInnes Cooper, where he specializes in corporate and commercial litigation, banking and finance law, insolvency and financial restructuring law, and construction law.

 

 

‘94

SUSAN E. GUNTER (LLB) was awarded the Ontario Bar Association’s Joel Kuchar Award for Professionalism and Civility. Susan is a partner at Dutton Brock LLP, where her litigation practice focuses on insurance, professional and general liability and casualty claims in defence of domestic and international corporations and insurers.

‘95

THE HON. BRIAN C. McLEAN (LLB) was appointed Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of New Brunswick. Judge McLean served on the Provincial Court since 2014. Prior to his time on the bench, he practised law for almost two decades in Carleton County.

‘97

GREG FRENCH, QC (LLB) was named Chair of the Newfoundland & Labrador Labour Relations Board. French began his legal career with Curtis Dawe before serving as in-house counsel at Memorial University. Currently, he leads French Law Offices, a firm specializing in personal injury, employment, labour, insurance, construction, contract, administrative, wills, and malpractice law.

‘01

NICOLE ANN ROVERS (LLB) was appointed Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. Prior to this appointment, Judge Rovers was a lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid, where she focused on family, criminal and appeal work. She has been President of the Antigonish Bar Association since 2017 and co-Chair of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Mass Casualty Commission Working Group.

MATTHEW STANLEY (LLB) was appointed Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice. Judge Stanley began his legal career at Moon Heath Barristers and Solicitors in Guelph, Ontario before co-founding Stanley, Brown Barristers and Solicitors. Prior to this appointment, he worked as a sole practitioner, focusing his work on criminal defence, as well as real estate, wills, and corporate matters.

‘03

THE HON. SCOTT A. BRITTAIN (LLB) was appointed Judge of the Provincial court of New Brunswick. Judge Brittain is a long-time supporter of UNB Law and a part-time instructor teaching Municipal & Community Planning Law. Prior to this appointment, he served as a solicitor for the City of Saint John and as a Senior Solicitor for NB Power.

‘04

JULIA CLARK (LLB) was appointed to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. Clark is a lawyer with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice. Prior to joining the DOJ, she worked for Global Affairs Canada as Legal Specialist – Economic Sanctions - United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division.

‘08

ERIN BEST (LLB) was appointed to The Rooms Board of Directors for a three-year term. Best is a Partner and Trademark Agent with Stewart McKelvey in St. John’s. She is a past chair of the CBA’s National Intellectual Property Section, and founder and president, The Kitchen Party Newfoundland and Labrador Music Industry Think Tank.

COLIN SULLIVAN (LLB) was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre. Sullivan is a lawyer and CPA with Sullivan Law and Tax in St. John’s. He is on the board of directors for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland and Labrador Rugby Union.