Attention News Editors:

Attorney General Announces Four Judicial Appointments 

    TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Attorney General Chris Bentley today announced
the appointment of four judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective
January 30, 2008.
    "The broad range of legal experience each of these individuals brings to
their new roles will allow them to make significant contributions to the
Ontario Court of Justice," said Bentley.

    Mr. Justice Marc Bode was called to the Bar in 1980 and has practised
criminal, family, labour and employment law. He has been Legal Aid Ontario's
area director for the district of Thunder Bay and served as president of the
Legal Aid Ontario Area Directors Association. He was a member of the
Thunder Bay Youth Justice Committee and a member of the Ontario Bar
Association Council, where he focused on continuing legal education.
Mr. Justice Bode also served as president of the Thunder Bay Law Association.
Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo has assigned Mr. Justice Bode to preside in
Thunder Bay.

    Madam Justice Carole Curtis was called to the Bar in 1978. Since 1979,
she has been the sole proprietor of the firm Carole Curtis, Barristers and
Solicitors, working in all areas of family law. She has worked extensively in
the area of child protection, including acting for children as a lawyer on the
panel of the Office of the Children's Lawyer. She appeared as an expert
witness in family law matters at two inquests into domestic violence.
Madam Justice Curtis was a member of the Family Law Rules Committee. She has
been involved in conducting many legal education programs and has published
articles on a number of different family law and child protection issues. As a
bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Madam Justice Curtis has sat on,
and chaired, many committees and task forces. Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo
has assigned Madam Justice Curtis to preside in Toronto.

    Mr. Justice Peter Caldwell West was called to the Bar in 1982 and has
practised criminal law at a Toronto law firm for 25 years. He is the author of
numerous articles on criminal law theory and practice, and has also served as
a part-time Crown Attorney. Mr. Justice West taught part-time at Osgoode Hall
Law School, and has been a frequent speaker at legal educational events. He
has also been the Chair of the Board of Directors of Youth Unlimited, an
organization providing support to high-risk and marginalized youth in the
Greater Toronto Area. Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo has assigned Mr. Justice
West to preside in Newmarket.

    Madam Justice Jennifer Ruth Hoshizaki has practised family law, criminal
law and civil litigation since her call to the Bar in 1993. She has
represented the Family Responsibility Office and Kenora-Patricia Child and
Family Services in family law matters. She has been a criminal defence lawyer
and also served as a federal prosecutor. Madam Justice Hoshizaki was president
of the District of Kenora Law Association. She has served as a member of the
board of directors of the Dryden Regional Health Centre and the
Hoshizaki House, a crisis centre for women and children. Chief Justice
Annemarie Bonkalo has assigned Madam Justice Hoshizaki to preside in Kenora.

    The McGuinty government has appointed 73 judges since being sworn in on
October 23, 2003.

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For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Ministry of the Attorney
General, Minister's Office, (416) 326-1785; Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the
Attorney General, Communications Branch, (416) 326-2210

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