Five USask Law alums appointed to bench
The appointments were made to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan's Court of King's Bench.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced the appointment of five new judges to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan on August 14. The appointments include four University of Saskatchewan College of Law alumni: Darin Chow, KC (LLB’94), Roger DeCorby, KC (LLB’91), Suzanne Lalonde, KC (LLB’00), and Jason Peszko (LLB’99).
"These new judges have demonstrated a deep commitment to the law, to public service, and to the communities they serve," said Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, KC (JD’04).
On June 16, the Government of Canada announced the appointment of alumnus Richard J. Fyfe, KC (LLB’00), Crown Counsel at the Ministry of Justice in Regina, to Saskatchewan’s Court of King's Bench, Family Law Division, in Regina.
“I wish Justice Fyfe every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Saskatchewan well as a member of His Majesty’s Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan,” said Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Justice.
Judge Chow received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1994, was called to the Bar in 1995, and was designated King's Counsel in 2008. He was appointed to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan in May 2012 and served as a resident Judge in Yorkton until November 2013, when he was appointed to the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, Family Division, as a resident Judge in Regina. He was later transferred to the Court's General Division and served as the resident Justice in Moose Jaw.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Chow was a partner with Chow McLeod (formerly Chow & Company) from 1997 to 2012, where he practiced criminal, family, and administrative law, as well as arbitration, civil litigation, and real estate law.
From 2009 to 2012, he served as chair of both the Moose Jaw Mental Health Review Panel and the Five Hills Health Region Review Panel. During the same period, he was also a member of Saskatchewan's roster of labour arbitrators and, in 2011, served as Vice-Chair of the Saskatchewan Police Commission.
Judge DeCorby received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1991, was called to the Bar in 1992, and was appointed King's Counsel in 2022. He completed his articles with Gauley and Company in Regina and, following his time with the firm, practiced in rural Saskatchewan. In 1998, he joined the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, Public Prosecutions, where he has served ever since.
Raised on a large family farm in eastern Saskatchewan, Judge De Corby developed a strong work ethic grounded in responsibility, accountability, and service. He has extensive experience prosecuting serious Criminal Code offences, leading specialized units, mentoring junior lawyers, and serving as Director of Saskatchewan's High Risk Offender Program. Since 2017, he has also served as Chair of the National Flagging System, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative focused on managing high-risk violent offenders across Canada.
An active community leader, Judge DeCorby has dedicated more than 15 years to coaching youth sports, and helping guide teams to three Canadian Little League championships. He has also served as Chair of the Catholic Family Services Board, where he supported organizational growth and community outreach initiatives.
Judge Lalonde received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2000, was called to the Bar in 2001, and was designated King's Counsel in 2023. A staff lawyer with Legal Aid Saskatchewan since 2008, her practice has focused primarily on criminal defence and representing individuals facing complex challenges.
Judge Lalonde is a dedicated community and professional leader. She has served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan since 2018, including terms as President and Vice-President.
She has also volunteered with numerous community organizations, including Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, the John Howard Society, Phoenix Academy, and Diversified Services.
Judge Peszko received his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1999. He was called to the Saskatchewan Bar on July 4, 2000. He articled with William H. Roe in Saskatoon and went on to build a diverse litigation practice with experience in criminal defence, real estate, wills and estates, tax enforcement, municipal law, and corporate and commercial law.
Judge Peszko has decades of experience appearing before courts and tribunals throughout Saskatchewan and is recognized for his work in both trial and appellate litigation. He has served as general counsel to many rural municipalities and towns.
He has maintained a strong commitment to Saskatchewan communities throughout his career, and is a former member of the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association and the Saskatoon Criminal Defence Lawyers Association.
Read the full Government of Saskatchewan news release.
Justice Fyfe was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Bar in Saskatchewan in 2002.
Justice Fyfe began his legal career as a Crown Prosecutor and then worked for twenty-one years as Crown Counsel at the Constitutional Law Branch, Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.
Justice Fyfe was President of the Law Society of Saskatchewan when appointed and had been a Bencher since 2022. He sat on the Canadian Bar Association’s Federal Courts Bench and Bar Liaison Committee. He presented numerous continuing professional development seminars on constitutional law topics and periodically taught a course on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at the University of Regina. He volunteered as President of the Autism Resource Centre in Regina. He was designated King’s Counsel in 2022 and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the law in 2023.
Justice Fyfe has helped raise five children in a blended family. His interests include cycling, kayaking, and playing guitar.