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Cranbrook lawyer appointed to Queen’s counsel
Thirty lawyers have been appointed the honorary title of Cranbrook lawyer appointed to Queen’s counsel, including one based in Cranbrook, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond announced Dec. 11.
The Queen’s counsel designation is an honour conferred annually on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution.
The successful candidates demonstrate professional integrity and good character and have been a member of the British Columbia bar for at least five years.
Appointed from the region is Donald Noriyuki Kawano, who currently practices at Rella & Paolini law firm in Cranbrook. He has been a distinguished member of the Law Society of B.C. for the past 34 years, serves as director and facilitator of the Cranbrook & District Restorative Justice Society, and is the East Kootenay representative of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC).
A distinguishing feature of Kawano’s legal practice is his involvement in the development of alternative legal tools, such as mediation, collaboration and restorative justice.
A call for Queen’s counsel nominations from the public was made in August. All applications were reviewed by an advisory committee, which sought the views of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association and recommended deserving candidates to the Attorney General. The appointments were subsequently made by Cabinet through order-in-council.
“All Queen’s counsel appointees have demonstrated commitment and leadership in the legal profession. I’m confident that this year’s recipients will continue to be leaders in their fields and will build on their significant contributions to B.C.’s justice system,” stated Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond.
“My congratulations to all appointees of this distinguished designation. The work you have done and continue to do is of great value to our province, our justice system, and for British Columbians.”
The advisory committee for Queen’s counsel appointments includes
– The chief justice of British Columbia.
– The chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
– The chief judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia.
– The president of the Law Society of British Columbia.
– A Law Society of British Columbia member appointed by the benchers (directors).
– B.C.’s deputy attorney general.
Of practicing B.C. lawyers, only up to seven per cent overall can be designated Queen’s counsel.
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