Joleen Lesley McCullagh. (Novus Law Group)

By Nigel Maxwell

Outstanding citizens

P.A. lawyer receives Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) designation honours

Dec 23, 2020 | 10:25 AM

A Prince Albert woman is among 15 Saskatchewan lawyers being recognized for contributions to the legal profession and public service with the Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) designation.

Joleen Lesley McCullagh was admitted to the bar in 2002, and is currently with the Novus Law Group. Born and raised in Prince Albert, McCullagh articled in Ontario before returning to P.A.

“I had an opportunity to stay [in Ontario] and continue working,” McCullagh told paNOW. “But I chose to return to my hometown of Prince Albert and practice here to be closer to family and also because I really liked the legal community.”

Queen’s Counsel appointments are based on recommendations from a committee consisting of Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan or the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench and the past presidents of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

Individuals must live in Saskatchewan and must have practiced law for at least 10 years in the superior courts of any province or territory of Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.

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“It’s a tremendous honour to receive this designation,” McCullagh said, noting it was particularly special to receive it this year along with her classmate David Chow from Moose Jaw.

According to the Novus Law Group website, McCullagh has a wide ranging practice with a particular emphasis on family law and has appeared at all levels of court in Saskatchewan. She was awarded the paNOW Best of the Best Award as the community’s Best Family Law Lawyer in 2015.

Presently, McCullagh is also on contract with the Dispute Resolution Office to conduct high conflict family mediations.

“It’s an honour to be a part of people’s personal lives in a sense,” McCullagh said. “And help them through some of the most stressful situations in their lives.”

In addition to family law, her regular practice includes civil litigation, employment law, corporate law, real estate, and wills and estates.

“I’m delighted to recognize these 15 extraordinary individuals,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said in a statement. “They are not just exceptionally talented lawyers, but dedicated and hard-working community members, well-deserving of the Queen’s Counsel designation.”

The other 2020 Queen’s Counsel appointments are:

• Derek Roger Arnold is with Cuelenaere in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1986.
• James Paul Bourassa is with Hill Companies. He was admitted to the bar in 1976.
• Randy Urgel Brunet is with MLT Aikins LLP in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1987.
• David Michael Chow is with Chow McLeod in Moose Jaw. He was admitted to the bar in 2001.
• Katharine Lucille Grier is with public prosecutions, Saskatchewan Justice, in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 1987.
• William Thomas Jennings is with public prosecutions, Saskatchewan Justice in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1981.
• Donald Leslie Mackinnon is with Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission in the Battlefords. He was admitted to the bar in 1983.
• Richard Terrence Molaro is with McKercher LLP in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1981.
• Charmaine DiAnne Panko is with Panko Collaborative Law and Mediation in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 2007.
• Helen Gertrude Semaganis is with Semaganis Worme Lombard in Saskatoon. She was admitted to the bar in 1996.
• Katrina Marie Swan is with the Regina Police Service. She was admitted to the bar in 2002.
• Curtis Wayne Talbot is with Legal Services Division, Saskatchewan Justice. He was admitted to the bar in 1985.
• Christopher Shawn Weitzel is with Saskatchewan Government Insurance in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 2004.
• Jodi Reagan Wildeman is with MLT Aikins LLP in Regina. She was admitted to the bar in 2005.

With files from Alison Sandstrom

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell