Seventeen Saskatchewan lawyers, including one from Swift Current, have been honoured with the Queen's Counsel designation.

The lawyers are being honoured for their contributions to the legal profession and public service.

Joel Patrick Friesen is a partner with the firm Anderson & Company in Swift Current and talked about what it means to receive this honour.

"I am very honoured to be included with such a great group of lawyers who have done so much for the legal community and for our province," he said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to practice with fantastic colleagues here in Swift Current and across Saskatchewan, and would like to thank our clients at Anderson and Company for their business and for helping to make Swift Current a wonderful place to live and work."

Queen's counsel appointments are based on recommendations from a selection committee.

The committee consists of Saskatchewan's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan or the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench and the past presidents of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

Individuals must live in Saskatchewan and must have practiced law for at least ten years in the superior courts of any province or territory of Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland to be eligible for the designation.

The 2017 Queen’s Counsel appointments are:

Gary Lyndon Bainbridge is with the firm Bainbridge Jodouin Cheecham in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1989.

Leanne Marie Bellegarde is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at PotashCorp. She was admitted to the bar in 1993.

Timothy James Brown is the Executive Director of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. He was admitted to the bar in 1992.

Kimberly Ann Earing is the Legal Director of Legal Aid Saskatchewan, Northern Office. She was admitted to the bar in 1996.

Jennifer Edith Fabian is the Registrar and Executive Legal Officer at Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan. She was admitted to the bar in 1983.

Dennis Jay Fisher is a partner with Scharfstein Gibbings Walen Fisher in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 1992.

Joel Patrick Friesen is a partner with the firm Anderson and Company in Swift Current. He was admitted to the bar in 2007.

Jordan Patrick Hardy is with MLT Aikins in Regina. He was admitted to the bar in 1996.

Timothy Peter Paul Hawryluk is a partner at the firm Robertson Stromberg in Saskatoon. He was admitted to the bar in 2002.

Marianne Margaret Kramchynsky is with the Rosthern office of Balicki Parchomchuk Sherdahl Hunter. She was admitted to the bar in 1988.

Meghan Rachel McCreary is a partner with MLT Aikins in Regina. She was admitted to the bar in 1999.

Joni Ann MacKay is with the Automobile Injury Appeal Commission. She was admitted to the bar in 1978.

Evatt Francis Anthony Merchant is with the Merchant Law Group and current president of the Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch. He was admitted to the bar in 1998
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Joanne Carol Moser is with the firm Richmond Nychuk in Regina. She was admitted to the bar in 1994.

Mary Ellen Wellsch works with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice Legislative Services. She was admitted to the bar in 1980.

Todd Jay Wellsch has been the Regional Crown Prosecutor in Yorkton since 2011. He was admitted to the bar in 1984.

John Charles Will is a senior partner at Behiel, Will and Biemans. He was admitted to the bar in 1986.