Revelstoke native Sheila Tucker has been granted the right to use the honourary title Queen’s Counsel by Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton.
She was one of 40 BC lawyers permitted to use the honourific because they have distinguished themselves by their commitments to continuing legal education, community volunteerism and mentorship of new legal professionals.
A statement from the law firm of Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamers said Sheila Tucker’s passion for the law and her community have resulted in her being prominently involved in some of the country’s most important social justice cases.
“The recipients of the honour of the QC designation have enriched the justice system with their contributions to the practice of law,” Anton said in a statement. “They have demonstrated professional integrity and dedication to their profession and have made valuable contributions as volunteers to communities across the province. This is a highly coveted honour, particularly because the recipients are nominated by their peers.”
Sheila Tucker specializes in written and appellate advocacy, and in the research and analysis of complex legal issues. She has appeared as counsel before a wide range of administrative tribunals as well as the British Columbia and Alberta Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Her experience includes acting as counsel for the plaintiffs in the recent physician-assisted dying constitutional challenge and as counsel for the health authority in the litigation that established the right to operate Insite, Canada’s first supervised injection site.
Tucker was awarded the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association’s Liberty Award for Excellence in Legal Advocacy in 2013 and the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch’s Harry Rankin, QC Pro Bono Award in 2016. She was a finalist for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Business & Professions in 2015.
Tucker is also a member of the Honourary Advisory Board for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland (2013-present).
The QC designation is conferred each year on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution. Successful candidates are nominated by their peers and have been members of the BC bar for at least five years. The appointments were made by cabinet through orders-in-council. Details on the QC appointees are located here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/AG-QCappointments.pdf.
Quick Facts:
- The advisory committee for Queen’s counsel appointments includes:
- Currently there are 489 QCs out of 11,245 practising members of the bar.
- Only 7% of practising B.C. lawyers can be awarded the designation of QC.
- There were 179 nominations for this honour this year in BC.
- The first Queen’s Counsel was in 1594 when Queen Elizabeth I reserved Francis Bacon as her legal advisor.
- The Chief Justice of BC;
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of BC;
- The Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of BC;
- The president of the Law Society of BC (LSBC);
- The president of the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch (CBABC);
- A Law Society of BC member appointed by the benchers (directors); and
- BC’s Deputy Attorney General.
