“I’m pleased to welcome these two talented individuals to their new appointments,” said Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “Their diverse experience will be an asset to the judiciary and I am confident they will serve Albertans well.”

James Hunter graduated from the University of Alberta law school in 1988.  After graduation, he became a partner with Grant Hunter, Stettler - a general practice focusing on litigation, family, estate and real estate law. In 2001, he became sole practitioner of James A. Hunter Professional Corporation. Hunter is currently the mayor of the Town of Stettler after serving as the town’s councillor for nine years.

Kathleen Williams graduated from the University of Alberta law school in 1995. After working with Pringle & Associates for a number of years, she started her own criminal practice in 2001, Todd Drake Williams Findlater LLP located in Cold Lake. She is a member of the Legal Aid Appeal Regional Committee and involved in organizations such as the Boyle Street Co-op, the Boys and Girls Club of Alberta, Ducks Unlimited and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

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. The 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 people appointed by the Minister of Justice.