It was a week of celebration in Alberta’s legal community.
On February 15 in Edmonton, and February 17 in Calgary, more than one hundred lawyers were honoured with a QC designation for their experience, expertise and contribution to the legal community.
Alberta is one of the few provinces to maintain the tradition – a practice that dates back to 1604, when Sir Francis Bacon was named by King James I as “One of Our Counsel Learned in the Law.” This terminology continues today in Letters Patent appointing Queen’s Counsel in Alberta.
The designation is an undeniable honour, and since the first appointments in 1907, only 2003 lawyers have been awarded the distinction in Alberta, which is roughly 12 per cent of all lawyers admitted to the bar.
LESA’s own Paul Wood was incredibly moved to have received the designation. “I think, for me, the most impactful moment of the ceremony comes at the end when the Chief Justice notes that applause is permitted on the adjournment,” he says. “When she adjourned, the courtroom just erupted in sustained applause. Sitting there with my fellow appointees, listening to the court, family and friends applauding – well, it is a remarkable moment I will not soon forget.”
Appointee Christine Enns, a Constitutional Law solicitor with Alberta Justice and the Attorney General was similarly moved, and recognized that despite the individual designation, the achievement is one to be shared amongst one’s supporters. “This isn’t possible without the support of family and colleagues,” she says. “This honour isn’t just about the individual, it’s about the spirit of collaboration and the energy around working together as a team. That’s what makes me especially proud.”
Averie McNary, an appointee also with Alberta Justice, noted that the celebration of achievement is one that really focuses on the collegiality of the Alberta legal community. “The experience of practicing law is often fraught with contention and conflict,” she says. “But it’s at times like these that we all come together to celebrate as a group – that’s when we realize our strength and our common ties. I think that’s what makes honours like these important.”
Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General, Ray Bodnarek, is particularly impressed with this year’s appointees. “I’m really proud of these people,” he says. “They are proof that we have an incredibly strong, solid profession in this province, filled with people who are in it for the right reasons.”
