Just before Christmas, 15 Saskatchewan lawyers were recognized for their contributions to the legal profession and public service as they received the Queen’s Counsel designation.  

“I’m delighted to recognize these fifteen extraordinary individuals,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said.  “They are not just exceptionally talented lawyers, but dedicated and hard-working community members, well-deserving of the Queen’s Counsel designation.” 

The appointments to the Queen’s Counsel, which is an honorary designation, are based on recommendations from a committee. Members of the committee include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench, as past presidents of the provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Saskatchewan.  

To be eligible to receive the designation, the recipient must reside in Saskatchewan and have practiced law for at least 10 years in the superior courts of Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.  

The 15 recipients this year are: 

  • Derek Roger Arnold is with Cuelenaere in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1986. 
  • James Paul Bourassa is with Hill Companies. He was admitted to the bar in 1976. 
  • Randy Urgel Brunet is with MLT Aikins LLP in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1987. 
  • David Michael Chow is with Chow McLeod in Moose Jaw. He was admitted to the bar in 2001. 
  • Katharine Lucille Grier is with Public Prosecutions, Saskatchewan Justice, in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 1987. 
  • William Thomas Jennings is with Public Prosecutions, Saskatchewan Justice in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1981. 
  • Donald Leslie Mackinnon is with Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission in the Battlefords. He was admitted to the bar in 1983. 
  • Joleen Lesley McCullagh is with Novus Law Group in Prince Albert.  She was admitted to the bar in 2002.     
  • Richard Terrence Molaro is with McKercher LLP in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1981.     
  • Charmaine DiAnne Panko is with Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 2007.     
  • Helen Gertrude Semaganis is with Semaganis Worme Lombard in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 1996.     
  • Katrina Marie Swan is with the Regina Police Service. She was admitted to the bar in 2002.  
  • Curtis Wayne Talbot is with Legal Services Division, Saskatchewan Justice. He was admitted to the bar in 1985. 
  • Christopher Shawn Weitzel is with Saskatchewan Government Insurance in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 2004. 
  • Jodi Reagan Wildeman is with MLT Aikins LLP in Regina. She was admitted to the bar in 2005