Their experience spans civil, commercial, family, health, and criminal law
Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s justice minister and attorney general, has announced the appointments of the following new judges to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan: Sara Knowles in Saskatoon, Matthew Schmeling in Regina, and Curtis Wiebe in Prince Albert.
At the time of their appointments, Knowles was legal counsel for health services at the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Schmeling was a partner at McDougall Gauley LLP, and Wiebe was a regional Crown prosecutor.
In a news release from the Saskatchewan government, McLeod expressed confidence in Knowles’, Schmeling’s, and Wiebe’s smooth transition to their judicial roles and professional service to their communities.
“Saskatchewan boasts a talented, knowledgeable and experienced judiciary, and I know these new appointees will make excellent additions to the Provincial Court for years to come,” McLeod added.
The provincial government’s news release provided more information regarding the three new judges.
Sara Knowles
Knowles’ legal career has encompassed the provinces of BC and Saskatchewan, as well as the practice areas of commercial litigation, family law, and health law. She began working for the Saskatchewan Health Authority in 2018.
She joined Robertson Stromberg LLP in 2014. Before moving to Saskatoon, she worked as a lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP until 2011.
Knowles gained admission to the bar in 2006. Before that, she was a law clerk at the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, beginning in 2004, and an articling student at Blakes. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2004 with great distinction.
Matthew Schmeling
Schmeling’s practice has spanned civil litigation, criminal law, professional discipline, regulatory defence, and occupational health and safety. He has run trials in numerous provinces, as well as appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and all other court levels.
He spent his entire legal career at McDougall Gauley in Regina. He joined the firm as an articling student and became a partner in 2022. At McDougall Gauley, he served as a mentor to young lawyers and as a principal to articling students.
Schmeling has chaired the South Saskatchewan criminal justice section of the Canadian Bar Association. He joined the Saskatchewan bar in 2015 and earned a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014. He was born and raised in the province.
Curtis Wiebe
At the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, Wiebe joined as a Crown prosecutor in 2012 and eventually became a regional Crown prosecutor in Swift Current. He has appeared before Saskatchewan’s Provincial Court, Court of King’s Bench, and Court of Appeal.
He spent six years at Kanuka Thuringer LLP in Regina. He joined the firm in 2006 and later became a partner. He focused on civil litigation, family law, and criminal law. As a private practitioner, he was an active member of the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers’ Association.
Wiebe worked as a staff lawyer at Saskatchewan Legal Aid for two years. He joined the Saskatchewan bar in 2004. He articled with Richard Gibbons in North Battleford. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2002.
