Douglas Lloy, a lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid, received word from the province’s attorney general that he will be awarded the prestigious appointment during a ceremony at the Lieutenant Governor’s home this spring.
“I am very happy with the appointment. It is an extremely decent club to be a part of,” he said.
In order to qualify for the Queen’s Counsel appointment a person must be lawyer who has at least 15 years’ experience at the bar, a clean track record in addition to making significant contributions to the profession and community at large.
"As a lawyer, I know how prestigious this designation is, and I congratulate this year's appointees," said Minister of Justice and Attorney General Lena Diab. "They have made great contributions to the practice of law and to their communities in Nova Scotia throughout their careers."
Lloy has 23 years’ experience at the bar that began with 12 years of private practice. He worked as a Crown attorney for 3 1/2 years before returning to private practice for a short period. For the past 7 1/2 years he has been working for legal aid.
When he is not in the courtroom or meeting with clients, Lloy spends time with New Glasgow Rotary Club and has worked on the Rotary’s Film Festival. He has also served with the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society and is the current president of the Pictou County Barrister’s Society.
“It’s easy to find places in Pictou County you can volunteer your time with,” he said. “I derive a great deal of enjoyment out of Rotary.”
Lloy said he was honoured to have his nomination come from a distinguished member of the bar and equally pleased to be the only lawyer from Pictou County on the list of recipients.
As far as the appointment itself, he said years ago Queen’s Counsel meant that a lawyer served as an adviser to the queen or king at the time. However, today in Canada, it’s a title that not only recognizes his contributions to the legal profession and community, but nets him a new silk robe for Supreme Court.
He joked it also gets him a little closer to the front of the line on arraignment day in court since lawyer with the initials QC after their name are allowed to speak first rather than waiting for their turn in a line determined by seniority.
Other appointees include:
– Gregory D. Auld, Halifax
– Tim Hill, Dartmouth
– Mark T. Knox, Halifax
– David T.R. Parker, Truro
– Elizabeth A. Whelton, Halifax
– Heidi Foshay Kimball, Wolfville
– Denise C. Smith, Halifax
– Michael E. Deturbide, Halifax
– Réjean Aucoin, Cheticamp
– Robyn L. Elliott, Halifax
– Tony W. Mozvik, Sydney
– Christa M. Brothers, Halifax
– R. Lester Jesudason, Halifax
