Behind the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench judges are lawyers newly called to the bar in Prince Albert. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

New lawyers

Lawyers from far and wide called to the bar in Prince Albert

Dec 12, 2022 | 2:54 PM

The legal community in Prince Albert officially grew by a dozen people on Friday, all with varied backgrounds, with some coming from as far as Ukraine and South Africa for their new position.

Robyn Ermine, a new Crown prosecutor, comes from Sturgeon Lake and is one of 12 new lawyers working in the city.

“I enjoy it. I really do. It’s challenging. It’s something new every day,” Ermine said of her job. “I really enjoy it there. I enjoy practicing criminal law. I enjoy being in our First Nation’s communities, being from Prince Albert and area. Being able to relate to people in our communities is a big part of what I do.”

Despite being new to the practice of law, Ermine is very familiar with other parts of the criminal justice system.

She worked for years as an Aboriginal Court Worker, then on to the alternative measures program and completed her articles with the public prosecution office before she was called to the bar.

Federal Politics

Liberal government to table federal budget this fall, PM Carney says

26m ago

Wildfires

Candle Lake residents remain on edge as wildfire burns out of control to the east

18h ago

New beginnings

'Beyond the crash': TV series on paralyzed Humboldt Bronco player set to air

22h ago

As a Cree speaker, Ermine is also part of the Cree Court, a circuit court based out of Prince Albert and area but with sitting points in Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, Whitefish and Ahtahkakoop First Nations.

Having a Cree court (which includes the judge, clerks and lawyers) allows an accused person to speak in Cree or English.

According to the Saskatchewan Courts website, the sentencing judge will often issue his or her decisions in Cree and can emphasize Cree values such as respect for family and community.

“Anybody involved in the Court whose second language is English, that is an opportunity for them to have it conducted in their own language,” she said. “I think it’s important in terms of creating a relationship and accommodation. People feel a lot more comfortable when they have a Cree judge and a Cree prosecutor.”

The bar induction was led by the Honourable Chief Justice of King’s Bench Court, M.D. Popescul.

Each new lawyer was introduced by a practicing member of their office.

The new lawyers include:

-Dallas Charles of Prince Albert (duty counsel with Legal Aid)

-Kristen Clark of Saskatoon (with Arnot Heffernan Slobodian Law)

-Douglas Howell of Nova Scotia/Newfoundland (Crown Prosecutor)

-Cian-James Hoey of Prince Albert (Novus Law)

-Roman Iatsenko of Ukraine (Kirkby Fourie Law)

-Natasha Maclean of South Africa (Crown Prosecutor)

-Manmeet Rai of India (Crown Prosecutor)

-Margaret Sproule of Sherwood Park, Alta. (Lavoie Stonechild)

-Frances Stoneham of Saskatoon (Legal Aid)

-Alexandria Studer of Chelsey, Ontario (Crown Prosecutor)

-ShayAnne Surtees of Saskatoon (Crown Prosecutor)

This year’s induction group included lawyers who started practicing since the start of the pandemic and was larger than normal as a result.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com