Personnel Changes at Crown Office

Jerry Pitzul, director of the Public Prosecution Service, today announced the recent appointment of four new Crown attorneys and the secondments and transfers of several other lawyers within the service.

Peter Craig, Catherine Cogswell, Jane Greig-Hatton and Susan MacKay will all work in the Halifax region of the Public Prosecution Service, said Mr. Pitzul. All have worked with the service as Crown attorneys on a casual and per diem basis.

"I am very pleased to be making this announcement today," said Mr. Pitzul. "I am confident the experience and knowledge shown by these four lawyers will be a valuable asset to the Public Prosecution Service."

Mr. Craig, of Dartmouth, graduated from Dalhousie Law School and was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 1992. He has worked with the Public Prosecution Service in a casual position since March 1995 and was in private practice prior to that.

Ms. Cogswell, of Halifax, has worked with the Public Prosecution Service on a casual basis since December 1995 and on a per diem basis since December 1993. Ms. Cogswell is also an instructor and part-time faculty member at Dalhousie Law School. She received her bachelor of laws in 1990 from Dalhousie, was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in 1991, and received her master of laws in 1994.

Ms. Greig-Hatton, of Halifax, graduated from Dalhousie Law School and was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in 1982. She was an assistant prosecuting officer from 1982 to 1988 for what was then the Department of the Attorney General. Ms. Greig-Hatton practised privately from 1988 to 1992 before joining the Public Prosecution Service in June 1992 as a per diem and later as a casual Crown attorney.

Ms. MacKay, of Halifax, has worked as a Crown attorney since 1994 on a casual and per diem basis. Prior to this she was in private practice. Ms. MacKay graduated from Dalhousie Law School and was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in 1992.

Additional personnel changes include the secondment of Robert Lutes, QC, of the service's Appeals Branch, to the federal Department of Justice. Mr. Lutes is working on initiatives to reform laws governing young offenders. The secondment is for six months, with the possibility of an extension.

"The Public Prosecution Service is proud that Mr. Lutes has been seconded to Ottawa as he has extensive background in advising government on young offender issues," said Mr. Pitzul. "We are particularly delighted Robert's service is recognized on a national basis."

Replacing Mr. Lutes in the Appeals Branch will be James Gumpert, QC, who was the successful applicant in the job competition. This takes effect Feb. 23, when Mr. Gumpert will relinquish his current duties as regional Crown attorney, Halifax region, for the term of the secondment.

Also beginning Feb. 23:

• Adrian Reid, QC, associate regional Crown attorney, Halifax region, will become acting regional Crown attorney while Mr. Gumpert is on secondment.

• Alanna Murphy will replace Mr. Reid for the same time period as acting associate regional Crown attorney, Halifax region.

• Denise Smith, who has been working out of the Dartmouth office during her participation in the Queen v. Gerald Regan, will be assigned to the Appeals Branch until the completion of her participation in this case.

As well, effective Feb. 11, Crown attorney Dan MacRury will be transferred to Halifax from the Public Prosecution Service's Sydney office. Crown attorney John MacDonald, currently in New Glasgow, will replace Mr. MacRury in Sydney.