Lawrence David MacLean, Q.C., who until his recent retirement was a Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, has joined the firm as counsel and will pursue his career in the field of arbitration and mediation.
Mr. MacLean was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta on June 30, 1927. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1949 with a B.A. in philosophy and in 1952 with an LL.B. He articled with Gilbert C. Paterson in Lethbridge and was admitted to the bar on the 8th day of June, 1953. He was named Q.C. on December 31, 1969. His law practice included criminal and civil jury trials, real estate, divorce and damage actions as well as appearances before many different administrative tribunals.
On December 21, 1978 he was appointed a Justice of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Alberta and on the 30th day of June,1979, was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta. As a Justice he has heard a broad range of both civil and criminal trials. He and his associate, Justice Yanosik, developed a trial management system of pre-trials and pre-booking that is the basis of the system presently used by the Court of Queen's Bench. As the dispute resolution and mediation settlement procedures became popular, he attended a number of training programs and was active in presiding over many dispute resolution hearings.At this stage of his life he is looking forward to putting the knowledge and skills that he has acquired over the past fifty years to work as counsel to and in association with the partners and staff of Davidson & Williams LLP.