UNB Law

Krista J. MacKay, QC (LLB ‘95) was appointed justice of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island, becoming the second woman to hold this position. In this role, Justice MacKay presides over provincial court cases in her hometown of Summerside.

Prior to her appointment, Justice MacKay had a successful career in private practise with Taylor McLellan (1995 – 1999) and Cox & Palmer (2001 – 2015). In 2015, she joined the public sector, practising family and criminal law with Legal Aid before acting as prothonotary of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

She has served as chairwoman of discipline committee A for the Law Society of PEI, president of the Canadian Bar Association (PEI Branch), president of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, chairwoman of the Mental Health Review Board and board member of Community Connections Inc.

Ellen C. Desmond, QC (LLB ’92) was named a regional commissioner of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). As a member of this administrative tribunal, Ellen represents Atlantic Canada and Nunavut in the regulation and supervision of broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Ellen is the Director of Legal and Administration with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, the current Chair of the Administrative Law Section for the Canadian Bar Association (New Brunswick Branch), a member of the Board for Symphony New Brunswick, a member of the Accounting and Auditing Standards Oversight Council, and the Atlantic Canada Lead for Women General Counsel Canada. She teaches Dispute Resolution and Trial Practice as a part-time instructor at UNB Law.

Congratulations to you both and thank you for being an inspiration for our students!