He has worked as a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer at Fasken
Richard Wagner, Canada’s chief justice, has announced the appointment of Daniel Byma – whose practice has focused on complex commercial disputes and public law litigation – as executive legal officer of the Supreme Court of Canada for a two-year term.
Byma replaces Stéphanie Bachand, who began serving in the role in October 2022, according to a news release from Canada’s highest court.
“I am grateful to Me Bachand for her outstanding support in my many responsibilities as Chief Justice, including her notable contributions to the Court, the Canadian Judicial Council, the National Judicial Institute, and the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations,” Wagner said in the news release.
“Her dedication and professionalism have been instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives that strengthen public confidence in the justice system and protect judicial independence,” Wagner added.
Bachand has started serving as director and general counsel at the Canadian Judicial Council this month after a brief transition period at the court.
“I am confident that she will continue to uphold these principles with the same rigor and commitment in her new role at the Council,” Wagner said in the news release.
As executive legal officer, Byma serves as the chief justice’s principal advisor, supports him in his duties concerning the court’s administration, holds responsibilities relating to the court’s international relations and media relations, and performs other duties assigned by Wagner.
Byma also assists the chief justice as head of the federal judiciary and as president of the Canadian Judicial Council, the board of governors of the National Judicial Institute, and the Order of Canada’s advisory council.
Byma’s LinkedIn page provides more information about his educational and professional background. He worked as a law clerk for Justice Wagner at the Supreme Court of Canada from August 2012 to August 2013.
“Mr. Byma is an exceptional jurist, with significant experience in private practice,” Wagner said in the court’s news release. “I am delighted he has agreed to come back to the Court to serve in this key role.”
Byma was a student-at-law at Tapper Cuddy LLP from May to August 2010 and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP from May to August 2011. He earned his JD from the University of Manitoba and his BComm in marketing from the University of Calgary. He joined the BC bar in 2013.
He worked as a lawyer focusing on litigation and dispute resolution in Fasken’s Vancouver office from October 2013 to May 2025. As a private practitioner, he dealt with contract cases, breach of trust and fiduciary duty claims, oppression claims, shareholder disputes, fraud matters, and constitutional cases. He has appeared before all court levels in the country.
Byma taught civil procedure as an adjunct professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law of the University of British Columbia from September 2023 to May 2024.
