David Chow, lawyer at Chow McLeod Barristers & Solicitors in Moose Jaw, is just one of the fifteen Saskatchewan lawyers being recognized with the Queen’s Counsel designation for their extraordinary contributions to the legal profession and their public service.
“I’m thrilled, it's a wonderful Christmas gift,” said Chow, of the honour. “It’s the highest honour to be bestowed on a lawyer, aside from appointment to the court.”
Chow was called to the provincial bar in 2001, after articling with father Kerry Chow at Chow and Company in Moose Jaw. He continues to practice general law here in the city, with an interest in real estate conveyancing, family law, corporate and commercial law, and civil litigation.
Several accomplishments from the past years stood out to Chow, including beginning his career with his father and practicing alongside brother Darin Chow, who currently sits on the Court of Queen’s Bench.
“I spent six very rewarding years as a bencher with the Law Society of Saskatchewan, up until 2018, and was chair of some very important committees, as far as the ethics committee, the governance committee, the admissions and education committee,” said Chow.
He also served seven years as a public appointee to the Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission, where he was part of the redrafting of all the governing legislation for realtors.
Chow has also been a contract legal counsel for the Real Estate Commission’s Discipline Committee’s hearing panels and a government-appointed hearing officer to adjudicate for police disciplinary matters in Saskatchewan.
Chow is the current vice-chair of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan and sits on the University of Regina Board of Governors.
“So much credit needs to go to my wife [and children] because they forfeit an awful lot of time with me so that I can dedicate that time to the profession and the community,” said Chow.
Queen’s Counsel appointments are chosen by recommendation from a provincial committee, including the minister of justice and attorney general, the chief justice of the Court of Appeal or the chief justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench, and past presidents of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
Lawyers selected for the designation must have practiced law for at least 10 years, and demonstrate a dedication to the community through their public service — both as a legal professional and in general.
Chow is just one of 15 Saskatchewan lawyers selected this year, joined by Derek Arnold in Saskatoon, James Bourassa, Randy Brunet in Regina, Katherine Grier in Saskatoon, William Jennings in Regina, Donald Mackinnon in the Battlefords, Joleen McCullagh in Prince Albert, Richard Molaro in Regina, Charmaine Panko in Saskatoon, Helen Semanganis in Saskatoon, Katrina Swan in Regina, Curtis Talbot, Christopher Weitzel in Regina, and Jodi Wildeman in Regina.
He is also only one of two lawyers currently practicing in Moose Jaw to now have the Queen’s Counsel designation. Brenda Walper-Bossence of Walper-Bossence Law was awarded the designation in 2002.
Moose Jaw lawyers Gail Wartman of former office McDougall Gauley LLP and Lyle Phillips, also of Chow McLeod, have also received the Queen’s Counsel designation, but have since retired from practice.
Although the designation is largely honorific and likely won’t change much in Chow’s daily practice, he is pleased to see the recognition from peers in the provincial legal community.
“It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my family,” said Chow. “It is something of an honorary title, but I think most importantly it is a recognition of the respect and admiration of colleagues in the profession.”
