KING’S COUNSEL (KC)
The honourary title "K.C." (King's Counsel) is conferred upon experienced lawyers in recognition of their commitment to the principles of the legal profession and contributions to their communities. The criteria for these appointments are:
a) he or she must be learned in the law;
b) he or she must have consistently exhibited a high standard of professional integrity;
c) he or she must be of very good character.
In addition to these three overriding criteria, appropriate candidates must qualify with respect to one of the following six criteria:
a) he or she must have a reputation for excellence in the practice of law;
b) he or she must be recognized as a leading counsel;
c) he or she must have great expertise and an outstanding reputation;
d) he or she must have exhibited exceptional qualities of leadership in the legal profession;
e) he or she must have performed outstanding work in the fields of legal education or legal scholarship; or
f) he or she must have made a great contribution to community affairs or public service.
Generally, all appointments should be lawyers who have a minimum of 10 years at the Bar.
Appointments are recommended each fall by a committee consisting of the President of the Law Society, a member appointed by Council, one person appointed by the Attorney General, a justice of the Supreme Court, and a judge of the Provincial Court. This designation has a long and historic tradition on Prince Edward Island. Appointments are made by the provincial government in December each year.
KING’S COUNSEL RECENT APPOINTMENTS
2023
Paul Kiley
Karen Rose
Gary Scales
2022
Andrew D. Campbell
Kevin J. Kiley
Perlene J. Morrison
2021
Ruth M. DeMone
D. Shannon Farrell
2020
Gary Demeulenaere
Sophie MacDonald
2019
Jonathan M. Coady
2018
Janice L. MacCallum
Donald K. MacKenzie
Ronald J. Keefe
2017
Thomas P. Laughlin
John W. Maynard
P. Alanna Taylor
2016
Catherine Chaisson
Lisa Goulden
2015
Krista J. MacKay
Patsy G. MacLean
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
In early 2007, Derek D. Key, K.C. & Nancy L. Key, K.C. (now Madam Justice Key) established the “Distinguished Community Service Award” to honour, recognize and celebrate the valuable contribution members have made to various community organizations at the local, provincial or national level, as well as to showcase the vast spectrum of voluntary services that members provide to the community at large.
Eligibility:
The award is open to any member in good standing with the Law Society of Prince Edward Island.
Criteria:
The qualifications to receive the “Distinguished Community Service Award” include, but are not restricted to:
- Active and sustained participation in a charitable or non-profit organization;
- Contributions as a volunteer through education or promotion of volunteerism by way of ideas, practices or publications;
- Continued performance and effort over a period of time in a variety of volunteer activities which has resulted in the enhancement and improvement of the organization, activity or community;
- Implementation of special events or programs including assisting such organizations through periods of difficulty, change or restructuring.
Presentation:
The Award will be presented in June at the Law Society’s annual formal dinner in conjunction with the AGM. In addition, Mr. & Mrs. Key will donate $2500 to the award recipient’s charity of choice.
Nomination Procedure:
A
Nomination Form, accompanied by a letter of support stating the reasons for the candidate’s nomination must be submitted to the Selection Committee, normally by May 31.
Selection Process:
The Award is administered by a Selection Committee, an ad hoc committee appointed annually by the Law Society of Prince Edward Island.
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECENT RECIPIENTS
J. Kenneth Clark, K.C
Barbara Smith, K.C.
Matthew MacFarlane
Daphne E. Dumont, K.C.
John R. Diamond, K.C.
Ronald J. Profit, K.C.
Catherine Chaisson
E. W. Scott Dickieson, K.C.
Brenda Picard, K.C.
Linda Gaudet
James Travers, K.C.
Derek Key, K.C.
Gordon MacKay, K.C.
Brian McKenna, K.C.
John Carr, K.C.
James Macnutt, K.C.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year the Law Society and Law Foundation jointly give three $3,000 scholarships to law students.
The Scholarship Committee of the Law Society reviews submissions and selects recipients based on established criteria.
RECENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
2023
Abigail Craswell
Hillary Story
Bailey Thibodeau
2022
Atosa Asadi
Megan Butler
Zachary Pierce
2021
Avery Judson
Julia O'Hanley
David Chukwuka
2020
David C. Chukwuka
Julia O'Hanley
Sabryna Shaw
2019
Caitlin Gallant
Sydney Gallant
Cullen Mullally
2018
Maggie Grimmer
Gregory Landry
Lucas MacArthur
2017
Maggie Grimmer
Gregory Landry
Iain McCarvill
