In a move emphasizing transparency, merit, and diversity, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Hon. Arif Virani, announced the appointment of Leanne M. O’Leary as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, General Division. O’Leary, formerly the Managing Partner at Cox & Palmer in St. John’s, fills the vacancy left by Justice K.J. O’Brien, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal last October.
“I wish Justice O’Leary every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador well as a member of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Virani.
O’Leary will be stationed in Gander, as the Chief Justice has moved Justice P.W. Osborne to fill the vacancy.
A Career Focused on Excellence
Raised in Portugal Cove South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Justice O’Leary’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Co-operative from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1992 and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University in 1995. She was admitted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in April 1996.
Her legal career has been primarily with Cox & Palmer and its predecessor firms, concentrating on civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, and insurance law. O’Leary has been recognized as a leading practitioner in these areas by both Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. She became a partner with the firm in 2001 and has been the Managing Partner of its St. John’s office since November 2017. In February 2023, she received the honor of being appointed King’s Counsel.
Commitment to Legal Education and Community
Justice O’Leary has been active in legal education and community service. She served two terms as an Elected Bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador from 2012 to 2020, and she has been a Member and former Chair of the Law Society’s Education Committee. O’Leary has also been a regular instructor of Civil Procedure at the Law Society’s Bar Admission Course.
Her contributions extend beyond the legal sphere, including former Board positions with the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the YM-YWCA of St. John’s. She was a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her volunteer efforts.
O’Leary and her husband Mitch Rumbolt are enthusiastic about outdoor activities, sharing this passion with their two daughters in the natural landscapes of Canada.
The appointment comes as part of a broader judicial application process established in 2016 that focuses on transparency, merit, and reflecting the diversity of the Canadian population. This process aims to maintain the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
