They bring extensive legal experience, particularly in working with Indigenous communities
The Government of British Columbia has recently announced the appointment of two new judges to the Provincial Court.
Mandy Klein and Sabena Thompson's appointments will take effect on April 29 and April 15, respectively. According to the province, both Klein and Thompson bring extensive legal experience and a deep commitment to community involvement, particularly in working with Indigenous communities.
Mandy Klein, who will start her tenure at the end of April, has been a practicing lawyer for over 16 years. Her career began in Manitoba, where she handled various cases ranging from family to poverty law as an articling student for Legal Aid. After being called to the bar in 2007, Klein served as a criminal defence counsel and later joined the Manitoba Prosecution Service. Her move to British Columbia in 2017 saw her take on roles with the B.C. Prosecution Service in Cranbrook, where she collaborated with Indigenous leadership to incorporate the community’s perspective more effectively into the court process.
Sabena Thompson, whose appointment begins in mid-April, has over 20 years of legal practice. Starting her career in a private law firm in 100 Mile House, Thompson has a broad background that includes civil litigation, criminal defence, and family law. She joined the B.C. Prosecution Service in 2005, where she took on significant responsibilities in Williams Lake and later in the northern region of B.C. According to the province, her work has been particularly influential in fostering the development of Indigenous sentencing courts, helping to bridge community traditions with the Canadian legal framework.
These appointment decisions considered multiple factors, including the court's needs, the bench's diversity and the candidates’ areas of expertise. The appointment process involved a review of candidates by the Judicial Council of B.C., which includes judges, lawyers, and members outside the legal profession. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Attorney General, with final appointments made through a cabinet order-in-council.
