‘Newest judge officially sworn in’
She’s a lawyer, a wife, a mother, community volunteer and according to one source, makes a heckuva chocolate chip cookie.
The long and impressive list of attributes and accomplishments of Judge Diane McGrath were detailed Friday as family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Sydney Justice Centre for her official swearing in as a provincial court judge.
“She’s great at multi-tasking,” said Chief Judge Pamela Williams, who highlighted some of McGrath’s accomplishments over her 23-year legal career.
Williams also noted the ceremony was the seventh so far this year for the court which has now achieved gender parity in the provincial and family courts with a full complement of 35 judges.
The majority of McGrath’s career has been with the Public Prosecution Service where she handled a myriad of cases including murder and multimillion-dollar frauds.
She served as a domestic violence educator and co-trainer with the service and was instrumental in developing and implementing the domestic violence court program in Sydney.
Her community involve- ments include Canadian Parents for French, the Kiwanis Club of Sydney, the Girl Guides, Scouts Canada and her local church.
McGrath is a graduate of Sydney Academy and the University of New Brunswick Law School.
Also attending the swearing in was Nova Scotia Chief Justice Michael MacDonald, a native of Whitney Pier, who commented he jumps at any opportunity that allows him to return to his beloved island.
He said such visits allow him to check in with patrons at the Tim Hortons in the Pier where he can find out “what’s really going on.”
MacDonald also paid tribute to another member of the Cape Breton barristers’ society who died recently.
“We will always remember David Muise for his class, courage, humility and humour,” said MacDonald.
McGrath’s former boss, Cape Breton’s chief Crown attorney Kathyrn Pentz, also addressed those assembled outlining her colleague’s numerous accomplishments and contributions to the prosecution service.
Her comments ended on a personal note.
“I will certainly miss your chocolate chip cookies,” said Pentz.
McGrath also offered remarks thanking all those in attendance for helping to mould her into the person she is today.
“These are not only my accomplishments but our accomplishments,” she said, adding everyone in the room made a contribution to the lawyer she was and the judge she wants to be.