Fourteen Nova Scotia lawyers have received the King’s Counsel designation, the provincial government announced March 4, recognizing their contributions to the legal community after at least 15 years of practice in the province.
The appointments span private firms, legal aid, First Nations governance, public prosecution, and government legal work, reflecting a broad range of practice areas.
The appointees
The 2026 King’s Counsel appointments are:
- Ryan Troy Brothers, Nova Scotia Department of Justice
- Level Yau Yan Chan, Stewart McKelvey
- Peter James Dostal, Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service
- Elaine Nicole Gibney, Elaine Gibney Law
- David G. Hutt, Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP
- Lyndsay C. Jardine, Wagner’s Law Firm
- Cheryl Knockwood, Membertou First Nation
- Donald Fraser MacFadyen, Stewart McKelvey
- Amy Elizabeth MacGregor, Cox & Palmer
- James (Jim) O’Neil, O’Neil Law Offices
- Kelly Rowlett, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
- W. Harry Thurlow, Cox & Palmer
- Jennifer Hamilton Upham, Patterson Law
- Daniel Wallace, McInnes Cooper
About the designation
An independent advisory committee makes King’s Counsel recommendations to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. To be eligible, lawyers must have been members of the Nova Scotia bar for a minimum of 15 years and must demonstrate professional integrity and good character.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Scott Armstrong congratulated the group in announcing the appointments. “I want to sincerely congratulate this group of distinguished lawyers who have demonstrated professional excellence,” Armstrong said. “I thank you for your exemplary commitment to the legal profession and your contributions to your communities.”
A formal ceremony to honour the appointees will be held this spring.
