He led efforts to provide legal education and information in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Governor in Council has announced the nomination of Kevin O'Shea as a part-time commissioner of the Law Commission of Canada (LCC), effective August 8.
Kevin O'Shea, the executive director of the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN), has been in his current role since 2014. He has led efforts to provide legal education and information services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, aiming to increase access to justice.
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, O'Shea completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa in 2009 and earned a Master of Laws focusing on International Crime and Justice from the University of Turin in 2013. He was called to the bar as a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 after articling with the Crown Attorney’s Office in St. John’s.
O'Shea’s legal background includes work in education and human rights advocacy in the United States, Cambodia, and Tanzania.
In addition to his role at PLIAN, Kevin serves as the chair of the Access to Justice Steering Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador. He has also held significant positions such as president of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada and chair of both the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In a statement, LCC President Shauna Van Praagh expressed her enthusiasm about O'Shea’s nomination, "I am delighted by Kevin’s appointment and I look forward to working with him in his new role. His deep commitment to public legal education and access to justice, as well as his blend of local and international community experience, will allow him to make rich and important contributions to the LCC."
O'Shea’s nomination comes at a time when the LCC continues to focus on promoting legal reform and ensuring that the Canadian legal system remains fair, efficient, and accessible to all. His appointment is expected to bring valuable insights and perspectives, furthering the LCC’s mission to enhance justice and legal understanding in Canada.
