“The designation of Queen’s Counsel has a long and distinguished tradition throughout England and Commonwealth countries dating back some 400 years,” said Attorney General Greenan. “In Prince Edward Island, Queen’s Counsel appointments are made each year to formally recognize and honour the contributions of legal professionals to the legal community and to the broader community in which they live.”

“All of the individuals named to Queen’s Counsel have distinguished themselves through their work and their community involvement and it is with great pleasure that I congratulate them on this important honour,” said Attorney General Greenan.

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 of the Law Society, a member in good standing appointed by the Council of the Law Society, 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.

BACKGROUNDER

Sean J. Casey graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1988 and was called to the Bar in Prince Edward Island in 1989. He became a partner at Stewart McKelvey in 1993. In 2003, he joined the Paderno Group of Companies, serving as its President. In 2008, he returned to Stewart McKelvey and is currently the Regional Managing Partner for PEI.

Mr. Casey is active in community and business organizations on the Island. He is the Chair of the First Angel Network, First Vice-President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Liberal Party of PEI. In 2005, he chaired the Host Committee for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting. He presently sits on the National Appeals Committee of the Canadian Soccer Association.

Thane A. MacEachern graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1995 and was called to the Prince Edward Island Bar in 1996. Mr. MacEachern practised law with MacMillan and Company before moving to Prince Edward Island Legal Aid where he worked from 1997 to 2004. He became an associate with Cox, Hanson, O’Reilly and Matheson in 2004. He returned to Prince Edward Island Legal Aid in 2005, where he specializes in Criminal Law.

Mr. MacEachern has been active in a number of provincial advisory committees and community volunteer organizations over the years. He is a Member of the Discipline Committee of the Law Society of PEI, Past President and board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of PEI, and Past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Criminal Law Section. He also coaches soccer and minor hockey in his community.

Terri A. MacPherson graduated from University of New Brunswick Law School in 1992 and, after practising law in New Brunswick, was called to the Bar in Prince Edward Island in 1995. She was an associate with the firm of Key and McKnight in Summerside, before commencing work with the Province of Prince Edward Island in 1996, initially as a Crown Prosecutor for eight years, and subsequently as manager of Legal Services for the Province since 2004.

Ms. MacPherson's professional and community involvements have included membership on several committees of the Law Society of Prince Edward Island, the Federation of Law Societies National Criminal Law Program Host Committee, the East Prince Child Sexual Abuse Coalition, the Board of Directors of the United Way of Prince Edward Island and the Rehabilitation Council, as well as being a presenter to several different professional and community groups on issues relating to criminal law.