Outstanding Lawyers Honoured with King’s Counsel Designation
The Minister of Justice has released the 2024 list of King’s Counsel appointees. The individuals are a diverse group that includes both public and private sector lawyers from communities across the province.
The Law Society congratulates all the appointees on this significant honour. Please find the full release from Alberta’s Ministry of Justice below.
Please note that in accordance with s. 1 of the King’s Counsel Act, a person is not allowed to use the King’s Counsel (KC) designation until the Letters Patent have been signed by the Lieutenant Governor and have been issued to the recipients.
Honouring exceptional Alberta lawyers
One hundred and three Alberta lawyers have received the honourary title of King’s Counsel (KC) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the legal community.
The tradition of appointing lawyers to be King’s Counsel dates to 16th-century England. In Canada, the practice predates Confederation, with the first King’s Counsel appointees admitted in Upper Canada in 1841.
Individuals honoured with the title include both public and private sector lawyers from communities across the province. Not only does this designation celebrate their achievements, but it also encourages them to maintain the highest standards in their interactions with the courts and the public.
“The King’s Counsel designation is a prized distinction within the Canadian justice system. By making positive contributions to the profession, these honourees represent the legal profession at its best,” says Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
In Alberta, King’s Counsel applications are reviewed by a committee that includes representatives from all three levels of the court system, as well as members of the Law Society of Alberta and the Alberta branch of the Canadian Bar Association. In accordance with the King’s Counsel Act, the Minister of Justice has discretion to identify additional names for appointment, which has happened historically, and again this year. The final list is then submitted to cabinet for consideration and approval.