His litigation practice has focused on local government law
Sean Fraser, Canada’s justice minister and attorney general, has announced the appointment of Jeffrey W. Locke as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Victoria.
According to a news release from Canada’s justice department, Locke replaces Justice Jennifer A. Power in Victoria, who elected to be a supernumerary judge as of Feb. 12.
“I wish Justice Locke every success as he takes on his new role,” Fraser said in the news release. “I am confident he will serve the people of British Columbia well as a member of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.”
The federal justice department’s news release provided more information regarding the new judicial appointee.
More on Locke
In 2017, Locke moved to Victoria to join Stewart McDannold Stuart (SMS Law), where he most recently served as associate counsel. According to its website, the firm focuses on advising and advocating for local governments in BC.
Before that, he worked at Fulton & Company LLP in Kamloops. He articled at that firm and remained there for many years. He established a litigation practice focusing on local government law and public authority liability.
Locke has supported access to legal information as a board member of Courthouse Libraries BC. He has also acted as a mentor for junior lawyers and as a legal educator for local governments. He has helped the latter navigate risks, environmental changes, and other legal issues relevant to their communities.
He earned admission to the BC bar in 1997. He obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Victoria.
Locke lives in Victoria with his spouse. As the father of four children, he has enjoyed attending their soccer matches. He has also served as a youth basketball coach.
While born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he has experienced residing in different communities across Canada, which has influenced his perspective from an early age.
Judicial appointment process
Considering the advice of the federal Cabinet and the recommendations of the justice minister, Canada’s governor general appointed Locke under the judicial application process launched in 2016.
Canada’s judicial advisory committees help evaluate judicial applications. To ensure representation from all the country’s provinces and territories, there are 17 judicial advisory committees in all.
According to the federal justice department’s news release, the judicial application process considers the applicants’ merits, the need for transparency, the country’s diverse population, and the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
