Judicial appointments announced in Federal Court of Appeal, Federal Court, Supreme Court of B.C.
David Lametti, federal justice minister and attorney general, has announced the appointments of René LeBlanc as a judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, Andrew Little as a judge of the Federal Court and Sandra Wilkinson as judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
René LeBlanc appointed a judge of the Federal Court in 2014
LeBlanc, appointed to the Federal Court of Appeal, has replaced Justice Johanne Gauthier, who elected to become a supernumerary judge, effective Apr. 29, 2019.
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Admitted to the Quebec bar in 1980, LeBlanc worked at the firm of Lazaroth Cannon Lemelin Rourke in Quebec City and in the legal services department of the Secretary of State of Canada. At the Department of Justice Canada, LeBlanc served as senior general counsel and as a member of the national committee tasked with reviewing all aspects of litigation before the Supreme Court of Canada.
LeBlanc focused his practice on civil litigation and constitutional law.
Andrew Little was named a partner at Bennett Jones LLP in Toronto in 2008
Little, appointed to the Federal Court, has filled one of three new positions created in accordance with the Budget Implementation Act, 2019.
Called to the Ontario bar in 1993 and to the Alberta bar in 1998, he has worked at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Calgary, as a law clerk for Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé at the Supreme Court of Canada and as general counsel at Canada’s Competition Bureau.
Little has advised clients on a broad array of litigation and regulatory matters, including consumer protection and domestic and international arbitrations. He has taught at the University of Calgary and at the University of Toronto, and has spoken, written and presented administrative law and competition or antitrust law.
Sandra Wilkinson was senior legal counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General of B.C. in Vancouver
Wilkinson, appointed to the B.C. Supreme Court, has filled the vacancy in Vancouver caused by the transfer of Justice Catherine Murray to the vacancy created by the election of Justice Brian MacKenzie as a supernumerary judge, effective Oct. 22, 2019.
Admitted to the B.C. bar in 1993 and to the California bar in 1999, she initially practised as a civil and family law litigator in Vancouver with a focus on serving LGBTQ+ communities, then as a tax and trusts lawyer in California. She then returned to Vancouver, where she has served as legal counsel for the Attorney General of British Columbia since 2004.
Wilkinson has held leadership roles at the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. and at the B.C. Government Lawyers Association. She has also presented at many continuing legal education events.