A local lawyer will be the Saskatchewan Provincial Court鈥檚 newest judge.
Donna Taylor, an associate at the Yorkton firm Leland Campbell, was appointed to the bench last week.
Taylor declined an interview with Yorkton This Week, which is not unusual for sitting judges, but Tom Campbell, one of her firm鈥檚 senior partners, was quick to sing her praises.
鈥淭he firm is very proud that she鈥檚 been appointed, and very happy for her,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a very intelligent and very competent lawyer and well-respected by her peers and by the judiciary. I am certain she will make a very competent judge.鈥�
Taylor will replace Judge Patrick Reis on the Yorkton circuit, which includes Broadview, Canora, Esterhazy, Kamsack, Melville and Moosomin. Reis is moving to the provincial bench in Regina.
Taylor was born and raised in Saskatoon and moved to Yorkton in 1984 after completing her law degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1982 and articling at the Prince Albert firm Eggum Abrametz Mills and Zuk. 聽
At Leland Campbell, Taylor specialized in wills and estates, real estate and corporate law.聽 She also represented the Ministry of Social Services in child protection cases for the Yorkton region.
During the past 30-plus years she has served on the boards numerous organizations including the Yorkton Arts Council, Yorkton Women in Need, the Parkland Society for Aid to the Mentally Handicapped, and the local, provincial and national boards of the Canadian Cancer Society. 聽
Currently she represents the Law Society of Saskatchewan on the University of Saskatchewan Senate and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Yorkton.
鈥淛udge Taylor is an exceptional appointment to the bench,鈥� said Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan鈥檚 justice minister and attorney general. 鈥淪he has made valuable contributions to the legal community in Yorkton and across the province for more than 30 years. Her experience and knowledge will certainly enhance the judicial system in our province.鈥�
