A Red Deer lawyer specializing in family law has been made a provincial court judge.
Monica Brown was among three new judges announced by the province on Thursday and will handle cases in central region for Alberta Court of Justice.
Brown graduated from University of Calgary's law school in 1997. Most recently, she was a principal mediator and arbitrator at Brown Resolutions in Red Deer, where she specialized in family law.
Before that, she worked at three other Red Deer law firms, where she focused on family law, but also had experience in civil law, real estate law, and wills and estates. Her judge appointment is effective as of Friday.
Kanwarinder (Sony) Singh Ahluwalia, KC and William Hendsbee, KC, were appointed to Edmonton region courts.
“I welcome these three outstanding individuals to the Court of Justice," said Alberta Court of Justice Chief Justice Jim Hunter. "I know them to be
hard-working and well qualified and know they will help make their divisions and the court stronger.
"I thank the minister for his continued efforts in filling vacancies and his commitment to our court.”
Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery said the appointments "reflect Alberta’s government commitment to providing Albertans with an accessible, efficient and effective justice system.
Alberta’s government created four new judicial positions for the Alberta Court of Justice in 2022 and added three more positions in 2023 for a total of 143 justice positions. Alberta’s government continues to prioritize filling judicial vacancies as they arise.
Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice. Applications are first considered by the Alberta Judicial Council, which makes recommendations to the Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee.
The committee makes recommendations to the minister of justice, who then makes recommendations to cabinet.