Newly appointed judges
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Vancouver, B.C.
Two newly appointed judges will be honoured by their peers with an online celebration tomorrow (Monday) June 2 at 3:30 PM (PDT) and 6:30 PM (EDT).
To celebrate Filipino Heritage Month, the Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network (FCLN-RAPC) salutes the two judges with the virtual webinar, says a release.
During the webinar, welcome remarks will be given by Filipino Canadian Justice Steve A. Coroza (ON Court of Appeal), Justice Bernette Ho (AB Court of Appeal), Justice Gail L. Gatchalian (NS Supreme Court), and Justice Aubrey Hilliard (ON Superior Court).
Register here:
https://lnkd.in/gKQVG6DP
Justice Edlyn Laurie
Before her appointment on May 27, 2024, Justice Edlyn Laurie was General Counsel at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Vancouver, practicing criminal and constitutional law. Justice Laurie served on several committees within the Public Prosecution Service and was involved with the School for Prosecutors as a vice principal and faculty member. She also served as a council member for Health Quality B.C. Justice Laurie is the first Filipino Canadian appointed to the BC Supreme Court.
Judge Mylene de Guzman
Judge Mylene de Guzman was appointed a Judge of the Provincial Court of BC on March 3, 2025. The Philippine-born De Guzman attended
the University of Windsor (Ontario) and obtained her law degree in 1995.
“Articling at Greig, Skagen & Kennedy, she has worked as a family law lawyer in New Westminster and the Fraser Valley for most of her career. She obtained her accreditation as a family law mediator and arbitrator in 2015. She has worked as a volunteer in the legal community, taking on executive roles, including president of the New West Bar Association in 2022. She is the first vice-president of the Canadian Bar Association,” the Government of BC said in a media release.
De Guzman, it added, devotes 20% of her practice to alternative dispute resolutions and is on the roster of Access Pro Bono lawyers, participating in legal clinics and conducting mediations.
She is also a member of Amici Curiae Friendship Society, participating as a guest speaker and lecturer for legal clinics.
“On behalf of all British Columbians, the Amici Curiae Friendship Society, sends its warm congratulations to Judge Mylene de Guzman on her appointment as Provincial Court Judge!,” wrote Dom Bautista, the executive director of AC Friends of Court, in a Linkedin post.
Bautista said de Guzman is the first Filipino lawyer to be appointed as Provincial Court judge.
According to the Government of BC, the judicial appointments are made by considering various factors, such as the court’s requirements, the diversity of the judiciary and the candidates’ areas of expertise. The appointments show the Province’s continued dedication to ensuring fair access to justice for everyone in British Columbia, it added.