He served as associate chief judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, announced the appointment of Justice D. Shane Russell to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney.
Justice Russell was born and raised in North Sydney. He graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Major Psychology. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall Law School in 2003. He was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 2004 and built his career as a Crown Attorney with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service, where he served for 17 years.
During his time as a Crown Attorney, Justice Russell was involved in several complex and high-profile cases, focusing on prosecutions related to intimate partner violence, sexual violence, home invasions, and homicides. He also served as co-counsel for the Desmond Fatality Inquiry, which examined systemic issues surrounding the deaths of an Afghanistan war veteran and his family.
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In 2021, Justice Russell was appointed to the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney and was later elevated to Associate Chief Judge in February 2024. His leadership roles extended to serving as the past president of the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society and the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys’ Association. Additionally, he was active within the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, contributing to bar council and committees focused on gender equity and court liaison.
Justice Russell’s appointment follows the elevation of Justice R. Gogan to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, effective February 19.
Minister Virani expressed confidence in Justice Russell’s ability to serve the people of Nova Scotia in his new capacity. “I wish Justice Russell every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Nova Scotia well as a member of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia,” Minister Virani stated.