Named as Queen's Counsel are Darrell E. Coombs, Bloyce V. McLellan, John W. Diamond and Michele M. Murphy.

"Queen's Counsel appointments are made each year to recognize outstanding contributions of lawyers to the legal community of Prince Edward Island," said Attorney General Ballem. "It is my pleasure to name these four individuals to that honourary designation."

Darrell E. Coombs was called to the Prince Edward Island Bar on April 1, 1976, and serves as a Crown Attorney with the province. For close to 28 years, Mr. Coombs has prosecuted criminal cases under the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial statutes. He has prosecuted a number of significant cases within the province and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Bloyce V. McLellan has been a partner with the law firm of Taylor McLellan (formerly Campbell, MacEwen and McLellan) in Summerside since 1979. Mr. McLellan's practice focuses on litigation. He was called to the Bar on November 4, 1976. Mr. McLellan is active in his church and volunteers his time to a number of sports organizations and events in his community.

John W. Diamond was admitted to the Prince Edward Island Bar on May 13, 1983. For more than eight years, he served as an adjudicator with the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, and in 1993 he returned to private practice and founded Diamond and Associates in Charlottetown. Mr. Diamond has a general practice which focuses on criminal matters. Mr. Diamond is also an active member of his community volunteering with the Prince Edward Island Soccer Association.

Michele M. Murphy is a partner with McInnis Cooper where her practice is in the areas of corporate/commercial, real estate and wills and estates. Ms. Murphy has practised law in Charlottetown since her admission to the Prince Edward Island Bar on June 12, 1987. She is an active member of her community and is a Past President of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island.

"Each of these four individuals has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in the legal profession in Prince Edward Island and served Islanders through community-based and voluntary endeavours," said Attorney General Ballem. "I would like to offer each of them my personal congratulations. I am sure that they will continue to provide excellent service to Islanders in the future."

In accordance with the Legal Profession Act, members of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island are appointed Queen's Counsel by Lieutenant Governor in Council upon the recommendation of the Queen's Counsel Recommendations Committee. This committee is made up of the president, a member in good standing appointed by the council, one person appointed by the Attorney General, a justice of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, and a judge of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island.