New judges appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta

Alberta courtrooms have gained some new faces behind the bench. Edmonton Criminal Division, Edmonton Rural Division, Calgary Family and Youth Division and Calgary Criminal Division all had new judges sworn in during the months of January and February.

Harry A. Bridges, Q.C. (Edmonton Criminal Division)
Judge Bridges obtained his law degree in 1972 from the University of Alberta. His practice included civil litigation and criminal defence work, and he served as the chairman of the civil litigation section of the Canadian Bar Association. He is a former teacher and is also a retired officer of the Canadian Naval Reserve.
 
Gordon J. Burrell (Calgary Family and Youth Division)
During the last 29 years, Judge Burrell practised in several areas of law, including criminal, Native, civil, family, wills and estates and real estate law. He was a part of the Law Society Mentor Program and has volunteered for Calgary Legal Referral Services. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association. He has also taught law classes for adult students. He obtained his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1972.
 
Daniel R. Pahl, Q.C. (Edmonton Rural Division)
Judge Pahl was a senior partner in the firm of Cleall Pahl. He practised civil, criminal, commercial and family law, as well as acted as a special prosecutor for the federal Justice department. He is director of the YMCA of Edmonton and Alberta Chairman for the Nunavut Review Board. He is also vice-chairman of the Alberta Review Board. A native of Hanna, Alberta, Judge Pahl obtained his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1971 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988.
 
Terence C. Semenuk, Q.C. (Calgary Criminal Division)
Judge Semenuk received his law degree from McGill University
in 1973. He has extensive experience in the field of criminal and constitutional law, including appellate work. As a lawyer, he handled more than 30 cases in the Supreme Court of Canada and appeared in the Federal Court of Canada. He has taught Bar Admission courses and has given seminars involving the proper interpretation and application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
 
Marilyn M. White (Edmonton Rural Division)
Judge White obtained her law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1977. She began her career in private practice before becoming a Crown prosecutor in 1983, a position she held until her appointment to the bench. During her time with the Crown, she worked on family and youth cases (including Child Welfare and Young Offender cases) and in criminal prosecutions. In 1991, she was seconded to Justice Canada to work as a consultant on the Young Offenders Act. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Fry Society and was a nominee for the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.
 

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