New Judge hired in Manitoba

July 22, 2014

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGE

Attorney General Andrew Swan today announced the appointment of a new judge to the provincial court.  Catherine Hembroff of The Pas has been appointed to the court in Thompson.

“Judge Hembroff has been living in northern Manitoba for almost two decades, practising criminal law as a Crown attorney and taking part in a number of community activities,” said Minister Swan.  “Her extensive experience and expertise will be a valuable asset in her new role.”

After receiving her law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1994, Hembroff began working as a provincial Crown attorney in 1995, serving in The Pas and other northern communities.  In 2008, she became the supervising senior Crown attorney in The Pas.  She has made regular presentations at legal conferences and has worked with justice committees, elders and others to make improvements to the court system in the region.

Hembroff is involved in her community as a board member of a local preschool and has volunteered with a number of local organizations including Girl Guides of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, and local museums and festivals.  In 2006, she received a commendation from the Governor General of Canada and in 2004 she received a rescue commendation from the Lifesaving Society.

Hembroff was selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee, chaired by Chief Judge Ken Champagne.  This committee also included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association and a provincial court judge.  The appointment is effective immediately.

An official swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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February 27, 2013

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW JUDGE TO PROVINCIAL COURT IN BRANDON

Attorney General Andrew Swan today announced the appointment of Donovan Dvorak to the bench of the provincial court in Manitoba.
“Donovan Dvorak has dedicated his legal career to criminal law and I am pleased to welcome him to his new position as a judge,” said Swan.  “His extensive experience as a Crown attorney and the expertise he has developed will help him serve Manitobans well.”
Dvorak received his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1994.  He began his career with the Manitoba Prosecution Service as an articling student and a Crown attorney in the Brandon office.  He relocated to Dauphin in 1996 and most recently held the position of supervising senior Crown attorney, handling complex and serious cases.
Over the years, Dvorak has assisted with training police and support agencies in the area of child witnesses.  He also provided learning opportunities for students and police agencies through presentations and mock trials.  He has been involved in various community organizations and activities including the Dauphin and District Food Bank and is currently the president of the Dauphin– Swan River Bar Association.
The new judge was selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee.  The committee was chaired by Ken Champagne, the chief judge of the provincial court of Manitoba and included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and a provincial court judge.
The appointment iseffective immediately and an official swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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December 12, 2012

NEW JUDGE APPOINTED TO PROVINCIAL COURT IN WINNIPEG

Attorney General Andrew Swan today announced the appointment of Margaret Wiebe to the provincial court of Manitoba.
“Margaret Wiebe brings years of experience, dedication and skill to her new position,” said Swan.   “I’m confident the qualities that made her an exceptional lawyer will help her become a judge who will use her skills to continue making a positive contribution to society and serve all Manitobans well.”
Wiebe received her law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1990 and holds a masters in business administration from Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C.  She has practised law in Winnipeg and Brandon and for the past decade has worked for the Canadian Wheat Board, most recently serving as its director of strategic planning.
Over the years, Wiebe has demonstrated a commitment to community service through various roles on the boards of directors of Special Olympics Manitoba and Special Olympics Canada, said Swan.
The new judge was selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee.  The committee was chaired by Ken Champagne, the chief judge of the provincial court of Manitoba and included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and a provincial court judge.
The appointment is effective immediately and an official swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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September 4, 2009

NEW JUDGE APPOINTED TO PROVINCIAL COURT


Attorney General Dave Chomiak today announced the appointment of Robert Heinrichs to the provincial court of Manitoba.

“The dedication of Robert Heinrichs to the profession of law and his deep commitment to community have been made evident in the 24 years he has been practising law in this province,” said Chomiak. “He will serve the people of Manitoba well in this new position.”

Until his appointment, Heinrichs was a senior attorney with the legal aid office in Brandon. Much of his practice has been in the areas of criminal law and child protection. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and received his law degree in 1982.

In addition to being a foster parent for the past 12 years, Heinrichs has been the registrar for the Brandon Diocese Anglican Church and served as the president of the Brandon Community Options board, which provides residential and day programming for mentally disabled adults.

Heinrichs will sit in Winnipeg. His appointment will assist the provincial court to offset demands on the judiciary stemming from some unusually lengthy and complex matters scheduled for the coming year.

The new judge was selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee. The committee was chaired by then chief judge of the provincial court of Raymond E. Wyant and included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and a provincial court judge.

The appointment is effective immediately. A swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.