On December 13, 2016, the governments of Alberta and British Columbia announced appointments to their respective provincial courts. Three of the appointees are UAlberta Law alumni. Please see below for short biographies. More information on the appointments can be found on the Alberta and British Columbia government websites.
"The appointment of two new judges to Alberta Provincial Court - in addition to earlier judicial appointments to Provincial Court and to the Court of Appeal of Alberta and the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta - is more good news for Albertans," said Dean Paul Paton. "These appointments help to address the challenges facing those engaged in criminal, civil, and family cases in the province, thereby increasing access to justice for Albertans. On behalf of UAlberta Law, congratulations and best wishes to the two new appointees in Alberta - Judge Lloyd has served the Faculty as a sessional instructor and a guest lecturer on issues of diversity - and to Judge Doerksen in BC. We are tremendously proud when our alumni are elevated to the bench. These appointments further illustrate UAlberta Law's longstanding commitment to public service."
Julie Lloyd, Q.C. (LLB '91) has been appointed to Edmonton Provincial Court, Family and Youth. Since being admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1992, Judge Lloyd has focused mainly on family law, human rights law, and advancing legal rights for members of Alberta's LGBTQ+ community. Most recently, she was legal counsel at Legal Aid Alberta's Legal Services Centre in Edmonton. Other notable accomplishments include serving as a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and being elected a bencher of the Law Society of Alberta. Judge Lloyd has also served as a sessional instructor and guest lecturer at UAlberta Law.
Michèle Collinson (LLB '89) has been appointed to Provincial Court, Edmonton Region. Judge Collinson was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1990. Most recently, she served as the coordinator of the High Risk Offenders Unit in Specialized Prosecutions. She has also served as an assistant chief Crown prosecutor in the Edmonton office, and as lead counsel for the Criminal Justice Division of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, where she provided legal advice and support for legislation, division policy, and operational plans. Judge Collinson is active in the community, including volunteering for animal rescues and collecting food for local food banks.
Lynal Doerksen (LLB '89) has been appointed to Provincial Court in BC by the Government of British Columbia, effective January 30, 2017. Judge Doerksen has practiced in many areas of litigation, including family, employment, commercial, personal injury and criminal, and has appeared before all levels of court in BC and Alberta. Judge Doerksen previously served as Crown counsel in Alberta, before taking on the role of administrative Crown counsel in Cranbrook, BC in 2005.