L. Diane Young has been appointed to Civil Provincial Court (Edmonton), effective June 12, and Todd LaRochelle to Calgary Family and Youth Provincial Court, effective June 22.

“I congratulate these two individuals on their appointments,” said Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “The judiciary plays such an important role in delivering and maintaining a high level of justice in this province. I look forward to working with them as we strive to keep Alberta’s communities safe and secure and to increase access to justice for Albertans.”

L. Diane Young graduated from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, in 1984. Directly after graduation, she began working with Ackroyd LLP and has focused her practice in the areas of creditors remedies, corporate/commercial and real estate law. Young has been very involved in the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch), most recently serving as its President. She has taught at the bar admission course for many years and has chaired and lectured at numerous legal education seminars. She has been an active member of her community and involved in organizations such as the United Way of Edmonton, Grant MacEwan Community College Foundation and the Victorian Order of Nurses.

Todd LaRochelle graduated from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, in 1989. He was made Associate/Partner of Milne & Co in 1992 and in 1996, became a legal manager of Family Law at Alberta Justice. LaRochelle has been a board member of Calgary Legal Guidance and chairman of the Legal Aid Regional Committee. He was also the recipient of Alberta Justice’s 2005 Humanitarian Award.

The Alberta Judicial Council screens all candidates for Provincial Court appointments and forwards a list of recommended applicants to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee. The committee then interviews candidates from the list and recommends the names of those appointees felt to be of the highest calibre to the Minister of Justice.

The Provincial Court Nominating Committee was established in 1999. Its 11 members are appointed by the Minister of Justice and represent the Alberta Provincial Court, the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch), other members from the legal profession, and the public. The Judicial Council has representatives from the Alberta Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, Court of Appeal and the Law Society of Alberta. It also includes two members appointed by the Minister of Justice.