Ottawa announces new judicial appointments in BC, Quebec: Karen Horsman, Andres Garin

Horsman, Garin assigned to BC Court of Appeal, Quebec Superior Court

Ottawa announces new judicial appointments in BC, Quebec: Karen Horsman, Andres Garin

Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti has announced the appointments of Karen Horsman and Andres Garin to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Superior Court of Quebec.

Justice Horsman has been named a judge of the BC Court of Appeal. She replaces Justice Mary Saunders, who elected to become a supernumerary judge on Jan. 1.

Horsman was a BC Supreme Court judge in Vancouver when she received her appointment. Before joining the bench, she practised with the Ministry of the Attorney General. She was assigned to the ministry’s general civil litigation and the constitutional and administrative law groups.

Horsman has extensive expertise in personal injury actions and constitutional litigation and appeared at all levels of BC courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2014, she received Queen’s counsel designation.

Horsman has been a co-editor and contributing author for the legal textbook “Government Liability: Law and Practice.” She has also taught as an adjunct professor at Allard School of Law.

Moreover, Horsman has been a frequent volunteer contributor to various legal education programs involving diverse topics, such as appellate advocacy, constitutional litigation, class actions, and administrative law.

She received her law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1992.

Justice Garin has been named a puisne judge of the Quebec Superior Court for the district of Montreal. He replaces former Justice Johanne St-Gelais, who resigned in Dec. 2021.

Garin began his legal career with Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon LLP. In 1998, he joined the federal civil service as a legal counsel for the Department of Justice Canada. He then worked at the SCC, first as a legal counsel and subsequently as a legal officer in the chambers of the chief justice.

In 2006, Garin commenced private practice at Ogilvy Renault (now Norton Rose Fulbright LLP) in Montreal. He practised commercial litigation, specializing in public law. After two years, he accepted a position with the SCC as an executive legal officer to former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.

Garin eventually returned to Norton Rose Fulbright, where he held the roles of litigation partner and appellate advocacy group chair.

Garin earned his bachelor’s degrees in civil and common law from the Université de Montréal and the University of Ottawa. He holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1996.

Recent articles & video

Ontario Superior Court rejects class action lawsuit against online travel giants

Court must 'gaze into the crystal ball' to determine loss of future earning capacity: BCCA

NS Supreme Court imputes income in child support case due to non-disclosure

Federal Court orders re-evaluation of refugee claim due to unreasonable identity verification

BC Court of Appeal upholds immunity of nurses from personal liability in medical negligence case

UK family lawyers launch mental health resource for divorce clients

Most Read Articles

Canada Revenue Agency announces penalty relief for bare trusts filing late returns

Ontario Court of Appeal upholds spousal support order in 'unusual' divorce case

Ontario Superior Court awards partner share in the estate despite the absence of marriage

Developing an AI oversight system is vital for organizations: Tara Raissi at Beneva