By Kayla Bruch

Six lawyers join the bar

Dec 12, 2014 | 6:36 PM

A celebratory air filled Courtroom 1 at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Prince Albert on Friday.

It isn’t often that you hear a courtroom erupt with laughter or applause. However, this was the case as six new lawyers were introduced to the bench during the Prince Albert bar induction ceremony.

Each of these inductees took three years of law school, signed the rolls of Saskatchewan, articled for one year and passed the bar admission course.

During the ceremony, the new bar members were encouraged to join the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), as well as the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association (STLA).

Daniel Heffernan with the STLA and Ronald Parchomchuk with the Law Society each shared a few important pointers for lawyers who are new to the bar:

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-Remember to take your files to court;

-Drink the water that’s on the counsel table, but don’t pour it over important documents;

-If you’re travelling to a case outside of Prince Albert, go to the right city;

-Reach out for help;

-Get involved in associations;

-Give back to Prince Albert and the greater community through things like pro bono – that is, legal work generally taken on at no cost to the client.

Justice L. W. Zuk had some simple advice for the lawyers he proudly inducted: there is no substitute for hard work.

The new inductees bring personality to the bar

The six inductees were introduced by John Morrall, Andrew Appolloni and Randi Amot.

Andrew Duncan: Morrall said Duncan loves dogs and is vegan, but the one thing that stands out about this inductee is that his plan is to ‘save the world one incarceration at a time.’

Duncan talked about an experience that stood out for him during his time working for the Crown.

“Getting to fly up in the court plane with defence counsel and the judge in the middle of the winter when it’s freezing cold and you know going to the northern court point, so that’s something that’s definitely unique and something that I will never forget,” said Duncan.

Adam Taylor: Morrall said Taylor’s first dream was to play hockey — until he dislocated his shoulder. He described Taylor as the “happiest guy in prosecution.”

“Criminal law was actually always my favourite area and so this was just a really great opportunity,” said Taylor.

Fatima Sarwar: Appolloni said she is known to always have a smile on her face. He added that professionally, she is “fair, firm and friendly” and always researches every angle of a case.

Estelle Hjertaas: Appolloni said some may call Hjertaas an “environmental freak.” He also said she can really hold a conversation when it comes to topics she is passionate about.

Hjertaas said Prince Albert is rare as far as the number of women who practice law.

“It’s actually interesting in Prince Albert almost all the young lawyers are women,” she said.

Adam Masiowski: Appolloni complimented him on his calm demeanour, but he shared his disappointment that Masiowski “parades” around in his Winnipeg Jets jersey.

“I’m all about trying to give back to the community and help people less fortunate, so I get to represent people who wouldn’t otherwise get good legal counsel, so that’s my motivation,” said Masiowski.

James Milne: Amot said Milne can make sense of a large amount of paperwork and has a talent for developing trusting relationships with clients.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1