“We’re always pleased to welcome strong, new, and experienced legal minds to the Nova Scotia bench. The fact that several of these new judges come from diverse backgrounds is a bonus, because as we all know, a well-rounded judiciary that reflects the society and the people it serves goes a long way to increasing people’s confidence in the legal system.

 

It’s also exciting to see more women breaking into what traditionally has been a very male-dominated profession. It’s important that practising female lawyers and young women aspiring to be in the legal profession see themselves reflected at the highest levels of the justice system.”

- Chief Judge Pamela Williams

 

  

Judge Rickcola Brinton

Judge Brinton of Dartmouth, N.S., is a managing lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid’s Youth Office in Halifax. She has served in the profession for more than 15 years.

An African Nova Scotian woman and an active volunteer, Judge Brinton is viewed by many as a leader in her community. She is active in her local church, including taking mission-related trips to Plymouth, England, Botswana, Sweden, Ukraine, South Africa, and Zambia. Judge Brinton has also served as a board member of Coverdale and Open Door Women’s Centre.

A robing ceremony for Judge Brinton is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, May 12, at Provincial Court in Halifax, 5250 Spring Garden Rd.

 

 

Judge Samuel Moreau

Judge Moreau of Antigonish, N.S., is a managing lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid in Port Hawkesbury, where he chaired a committee on child welfare. He has practiced law for 18 years.

Judge Moreau is a volunteer coach with St. Francis Xavier University’s football team and sits on the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Hearing Committee. An African Nova Scotian, he has also sat on the board of the Council on African Canadian Education.

A robing ceremony for Judge Moreau is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at Provincial Court in Halifax, 5250 Spring Garden Rd.

 

  
   
 

Judge Amy Sakalauskas

Judge Sakalauskas is originally from North Sydney and now lives in Dartmouth, N.S. She is a lawyer with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, practicing most recently in child protection.

n her 13 years as a lawyer, she has also served in private practice in the Annapolis Valley and Bedford.

Judge Sakalauskas is past president of the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch, a former member of the boards of directors of Halifax and Region Family Resource Centre and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kings and Annapolis counties. She has also worked nationally on issues of importance to the LGBTQ community.

A robing ceremony for Judge Sakalauskas is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at Provincial Court in Halifax, 5250 Spring Garden Rd.

 

Judge Rosalind Michie

Judge Michie of Digby, N.S. has been with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service for 16 years, five of those as a senior Crown attorney. She was admitted to the Bar almost 20 years ago, and has been an active presenter for the Canadian Bar Association, RCMP and other organizations, largely on criminal justice topics.

Her volunteer work includes service with the Digby Area Learning Association and Digby Elementary School. Judge Michie is also bilingual, increasing the number of Provincial and Family Court judges available to hear cases in French.

A robing ceremony for Judge Michie is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, June 9, at Provincial Court in Digby, 119 Queen St.