College of Law appoints Northern Director for the Nunavut Law Program

Stephen is currently the Director of the Policy and Planning Division with the Government of Nunavut Department of Justice and also serves as legal counsel to the Devolution Secretariat. Since joining the Government in 2009, Stephen has served in many legal and policy roles within the Department of Justice. Stephen has significant experience in relation to legal and government issues in Nunavut and Canada’s North. Prior to his work with the Government of Nunavut, Stephen practiced law in Yellowknife.

Stephen has a strong record of leadership within the legal profession in Nunavut. He is past president of both the Law Society of Nunavut and the Nunavut Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. He has also served as board member for the Nunavut Legal Services Board and a member of the Nunavut Judicial Advisory Committee. Outside the legal realm he has a strong record of public service in Iqaluit, including serving as a city councillor and chair of the Iqaluit Public Safety and Finance committees.  Stephen spent much of his childhood in Nunavut having attended elementary and high school in Iqaluit. Stephen and his wife Theresa have two young daughters.

In addition, Stephen is a proud alumnus of the College of Law of the University of Saskatchewan (J.D. 2007) and is familiar with our approach to legal education that focuses on the provision of opportunities to a diverse range of students, and a strong commitment to providing our graduates with the academic and practical skills that will enable them to succeed in the practice of law.

The Nunavut Law Program is a partnership between the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Arctic College. The College of Law will deliver a four year law degree for up to 25 students in Iqaluit beginning in September 2017. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a University of Saskatchewan Juris Doctor degree in 2021.