Partner Kenneth R. McLeod Appointed As Provincial Court Judge

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It is with great pleasure that Walsh LLP announces that partner Kenneth R. McLeod has been appointed to the bench of the Provincial Court, Criminal Division effective April 10, 2012.

Ken attended law school at the University of Calgary and upon his graduation in 1985 commenced his legal career with Walsh where he was an advocate for clients in the areas of criminal and civil litigation. In 1995, Ken was appointed as the first Manager and Director of the Federal Prosecution Service in the newly opened Calgary Department of Justice Office.

After spending several years with the Department of Justice Ken returned to Walsh in 2002 where he continued to advise clients and First Nations in the areas of civil and aboriginal law. In February of 2008, Ken and his two colleagues, Gary A. Befus and Eugene Creighton, Q.C. (now Judge Creighton of the Provincial Court, Criminal Division) were successful in their appearance before the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of the The Privacy Commissioner of Canada v. Blood Tribe Department of Health.

Throughout his legal career, Ken has instructed law students, law enforcement officials and lawyers on legal issues and advocacy, and was active in both youth sport and community association activities.

Congratulations to Judge Kenneth R. McLeod on his appointment to the Provincial Court bench.

Eugene J. Creighton, Q.C. Appointed To Provincial Court

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It is with great pride that Walsh announces Eugene J. Creighton, Q.C. has been appointed to the Calgary Regional Provincial Court effective April 6, 2009.

Eugene graduated from the University of Alberta law school in 1985. He is a member of the Blood Tribe, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy and acted as in-house Counsel to the Tribe from 1986-1994. In 1994, Eugene joined Walsh Wilkins where he assisted First Nations in negotiating claims and agreements and advised in areas of Aboriginal law. In 1999, he became a partner and in 2002 the firm’s name was changed to Walsh LLP.

At the time of his appointment, he was assisting and advising the Blood Tribe in developing its Tribal Justice system with plans for a provincial court on the Blood Reserve and a peace making system. Eugene has conducted lectures and workshops on Aboriginal issues at the University of Lethbridge and Red Crow Community College. In 1980, Eugene became the first Chairperson of the Blood Tribe Police Commission.

In 2005, Eugene was named the Alberta Aboriginal Role Model in Justice. In February of 2008, Eugene and his two colleagues, Kenneth R. McLeod and Gary A. Befus were successful at the Supreme Court of Canada in defending the case of The Privacy Commissioner of Canada v. Blood Tribe Department of Health. Eugene was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2007.

Sources: Alberta Justice Press Release March 18, 2009

Lethbridge Herald March 18, 2009

Calgary Herald March 19, 2009

Calgary Herald March 20, 2009

Thomas J. Walsh Receives The Alberta Order Of Excellence

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Thomas J. Walsh, Q.C., founder of Walsh LLP, received the Alberta Order of Excellence in a ceremony in Edmonton, Alberta on October 9, 2008. Mr. Walsh joins a group of 93 Honorees since the first Alberta Order of Excellence was handed out to Ernest Manning in 1981.

Tom Walsh graduated from the University of Alberta Law School in Spring of 1953 having been a Flying Officer, RCAF with 418 Squadron, City of Edmonton Reserve from 1950 to 1952.

Tom created our firm on January 1st, 1959.

Mr. Walsh has received numerous awards and recognitions over his lengthy and storied career not limited to being National President of the Canadian Bar Association, the founding Chairman of the Calgary Parks Foundation, a founding member of the Calgary Winter Festival, President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and most recently, Chairman of the Calgary Airport Authority.

Tom has been a Bencher with the Alberta Law Society and is an honorary member of the Bar of Paris, France, the American Bar Association and the Law Society of the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Tom is a member of the Order of Canada and is a life Member of the Calgary Stampede, the highest honour awarded to volunteers in that organization.

On October 16, 2008 his colleagues at the Alberta Bar, friends in the Judiciary and the organizations in which Tom has participated over his many years of volunteer service will gather for a Tribute to Tommy at the Palliser Hotel.