On January 25, 2022, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that eleven Manitoba lawyers, including Pitblado Law Partners Bruce King, Tracey Epp and Richard Buchwald would receive the Queen’s counsel designation. This honour is reserved for long-serving members of the legal profession who have demonstrated outstanding practice, fostered excellence in the profession, and who have conducted themselves with integrity and leadership throughout their careers.

 

Throughout his career, Bruce has been counsel on numerous large and mid-market transactions in the insurance, agriculture and the healthcare industry, including acting as the Manitoba counsel on national transactions.

 

“The clients are the focus. Our responsibility as lawyers is to look after them and provide them with timely, effective services,” Bruce states. “I have been fortunate in my career to have great clients; clients I enjoy working with and who deserve the best. If my efforts to serve them have resulted in this recognition, then I am honoured.”

 

Tracey was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1990.  She practices primarily in the areas of labour and employment law, human rights law and alternative dispute resolution. Tracey has been listed in Best Lawyers since its inception as one of Canada’s top lawyers in labour and employment law, by Lexpert as a leading practitioner, and by Benchmark as a litigation star.

 

“I have lived in Winnipeg my entire life, and I take every opportunity to promote Winnipeg and Manitoba,” Tracey comments. “I have volunteered my time to my profession and my community for over thirty years and am very proud of this recognition. I also have three adult children who remain in this province, each of whom spend time volunteering for various organizations – and it is that of which I am most proud.”

 

Richard was admitted to the Manitoba Bar in 1994 and practices commercial and civil litigation, professional regulation, agribusiness, commercial leasing, debtor and creditor relations, banking and estate matters.

 

“I am proud to be a member of this esteemed profession and I am incredibly humbled to receive this honour,” adds Richard.

 

Click here for the full News Release from the Government of Manitoba – January 25, 2022.

 

Click here to view the Queen’s Counsel Appointments Backgrounder.