New judges named for Moose Jaw, Estevan

Two new judges have been appointed to the Saskatchewan provincial court.

Longtime Crown prosecutor Brian Hendrickson will become a judge in Moose Jaw.

Hendrickson received a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1981 and began his legal career as an articling clerk with the Court of Queen’s Bench, Chief Justice’s office in Regina. He went on to work as a lawyer with Rendek Mccrank in Regina and then with the Ministry of Justice as a prosecutor, director of Sheriff ’s Services, senior Crown prosecutor and most recently as the regional Crown prosecutor in Moose Jaw.

Hendrickson will replace Judge Douglas Kovatch, who is moving to the Regina provincial court.

Meanwhile, Michelle R. Brass will join the bench in Estevan.

A Saulteaux woman from the Peepeekisis First Nation of the Treaty 4 Territory of Saskatchewan, she has significant insight and understanding of the cultural and legal jurisdictional differences between First Nations, provinces, Canada and other countries, according to a news release issued Friday. She has taught at the Wiyasiwewin Mikiwahp Native Law Centre of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan.

Brass received a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 and began her career as a lawyer with the Ministry of Justice.

She has worked with Justice Canada, the Indian Specific Claims Commission, Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and most recently with her own practice, Brass Law Office.

Brass replaces Judge Lane Wiegers, who is moving to the Regina court.