Twenty-eight British Columbia lawyers have been appointed Queen’s counsel, Attorney General Shirley Bond announced on Dec. 22.

The Queen’s counsel designation is an honour conferred on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution. Successful candidates demonstrate professional integrity and good character and must be members of the British Columbia bar for at least five years.

Each September, the attorney general calls for Queen’s counsel nominations from the public. The 2011 deadline for submissions was Oct. 14. All applications were reviewed by an advisory committee, which recommended deserving candidates to the attorney general. The appointments are subsequently made by cabinet through an order-in-council.

The advisory committee includes the chief justice of British Columbia, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the chief judge of the Provincial Court, the president of the Law Society of British Columbia, a Law Society member appointed by the benchers (directors) and the deputy attorney general. The committee also seeks the views of the Canadian Bar Association (B.C. branch), explained a Government Communications and Public Engagement and Ministry of Attorney General press release.

Receiving the Queen’s counsel honour from the East Kootenay are Glen Aaron Purdy and John Christopher Zimmer (pictured above).

Purdy operates law practices in Fernie and Sparwood, while still finding time to contribute to the community, most notably through the Elk Valley youth assistance program he co-founded in 1995. The community-based young offenders’ accountability program is an alternative to the traditional court system.

And Zimmer is a partner with Miles, Daroux, Zimmer & Associates in Cranbrook. He was admitted to the Saskatchewan bar in 1980 and the British Columbia bar in 1993. He is an active participant in continuing legal education and a frequent guest presenter. He was also a candidate for the Kootenay-Columbia Riding’s Conservative Party nomination.

Also receiving B.C.’s 2011 Queen’s counsel appointees:

Brian Donald Ross in Kamloops, Robert Blake James Kennedy of West Vancouver, Edward Daniel Fast of Abbotsford, Robert James Herperger of Kelowna, Winston Lim Sayson of New Westminster, Stephen Guy McPhee of Nanaimo;

Peter Andrew Allard, Edward Douglas Bates, Peter Allan Spencer, Sharon Elizabeth White, Miriam Kresivo, Maureen Lois Anne Lundell, Lorne Neil MacLean, Maureen Elizabeth Baird, Eugene Christopher Jamieson, Elizabeth Beatrice Lyall, Rita Carla Andreone, Giuseppe (Joe) Fiorante, Gregory Phillip DelBigio, Delayne Marie Sartison, Christine Lesley Maureen Boyle – all of Vancouver;

Diane Heather Raven, Mary Elizabeth Mouat, Diane Ilona Turner, Eric John (Jack) Woodward and Craig Elton Jones of Victoria.

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