Nova Scotia Crown Attorney Receives National Award

Cape Breton Region Chief Crown Attorney Daniel MacRury is the 2012 recipient of the Canadian Bar Association Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence for distinguished and exceptional service.

"We are delighted that a very dedicated and deserving Nova Scotia Crown attorney has been awarded this honour," said Martin Herschorn, director of Public Prosecutions. "Dan's commitment and service to the bar association matches his commitment and service to this province as a prosecutor. We are very proud of him."

Mr. MacRury has served on the executive of the National Criminal Justice Section for the last four years, becoming chair last year. He is the incoming president of Canadian Bar Association Nova Scotia and has chaired many of the association's committees, including the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Advisory Committee, the Law Week Committee and the Nova Scotia Criminal Justice Section. Mr. MacRury has also represented the the association before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to speak to the omnibus crime bill.

"When I think of the many lawyers who are worthy of this accolade, I am truly humbled and honored to be this year's recipient of the Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence," said Mr. MacRury.

In 2010, Mr. MacRury was the recipient of the association's John Tait Award of Excellence, presented to an outstanding Canadian public sector lawyer.

A native of Sydney, Mr. MacRury has been involved in more than 30 Supreme Court judge and jury cases including several murder cases. As a member of the Appeals division of the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service, he has often appeared in the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. He has also represented the Attorney General of Nova Scotia in the Supreme Court of Canada on three occasions, including the case of R. v. Sharpe, which established the current child pornography law.

Mr. MacRury will be presented with the award Saturday in Vancouver at the bar association's 2012 Canadian Legal Conference.