Cornwall Standard freeholder
29 February 2012
By KATHRYN BURNHAM kburnham@standard-freeholder.com
CORNWALL — Local lawyer Diane Lahaie will be seeing the courtroom from a new perspective in a few weeks. Lahaie has been appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice.
“It feels wonderful,” said Lahaie. “It’s the realization of a lifelong goal.”
Lahaie will begin her career as a judge in Ottawa in a bilingual position.
Lahaie has practised law for 19 years in Cornwall, beginning her career as an associate lawyer with Guindon, MacLean, McDonald and Castle. She has worked in criminal, family and civil litigation, while also acting as a counsel to the Ontario Provincial Police in the Cornwall Public Inquiry and acting as prosecutor for the Ministry of Health.
“These experiences prepare you for the challenges ahead,” she said.
She has also been a prosecutor for the Attorney General of Canada for the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, having worked on several smuggling and drug-related cases.
She is also a mother of two and a wife, which she says has also provided her with life experience that helps her in the courtroom.
Lahaie said it will be hard to leave her community, where she has been active serving on the board of directors for the Cornwall Community Hospital and at the SD&G Law Association.
“I come from a family that has served this community for almost 50 years,” Lahaie said. Her family runs Lahaie & Sullivan Funeral Home. “My parents undertook that service with a commitment to excellence and honesty, and patience and caring, and I hope to continue that type of tradition of trust,” she said.
Lahaie will begin her new position March 7 in Ottawa. Her current files have been entrusted to her staff under the direction of Tilton Donihee. Former clients should feel free to contact the office should they have any questions or concerns, said Lahaie.
Lahaie was one of two new justices announced this week. Jonathon George of the Sarnia area was appointed to the London courts.
Can it be? Already seven years since Justice Lahaie was appointed to
the Ontario Court. An excellent appointment, for sure. Her commitment
to the law was amply demonstrated on many occasions when, as a lawyer,
she appeared on cases in my court before my retirement.
Congratulations to Her Honour.
Justice James Fontana (Ret.)
Ottawa
The diversity of postings on this site amazes me always. Feel so encouraged by J. Fontana’s words — those of us who seek justice and ending the darkness and shame of abuse have many voices. And the isolation – caused by many factors – is often broken on Sylvia’s site.
Hi Sylvia. Did you Post a comment..can”t find it. Giovanniello, Lahaie and who was that guy? Never Forget!
Hi Sylvia. Did you Post a comment..can”t find it. Giovanniello, Lahaie and who was that guy? Never Forget! A few things, a few associations, left out, in the article.
James Porter Bateman