Thompson Rivers University will confer an honorary doctor of laws degree upon Justice Daphne Smith, of the BC Court of Appeal at its fall Convocation ceremony, Friday, October 8 at 2pm.

Justice Smith was appointed to the British Columbia Court of Appeal on May 22, 2008. She is now one of 15 full-time judges sitting in the highest court of the province.

BC Court of Appeal Justice Daphne Smith is to be conferred with an honorary doctorate at Fall Convocation on Oct. 8.

In 1993 she earned the Queens Counsel designation, which recognizes lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the legal profession and accepted an appointment to the British Columbia Supreme Court at New Westminster in 1996.

Madam Justice Smith’s distinguished career and strong connection to Kamloops began in 1975 when she articled at a firm that is now known as Mair, Jensen and Blair.

“Madam Justice Smith has been a leader and educator in this province’s legal profession,” said Roger Barnsley, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor. “Her efforts with regard to family law resulted in a new approach to the resolution of family law issues, and Thompson Rivers University will be very proud to have her as an alumna.”

The central focus of Madam Justice Smith’s legal practice was family law and civil litigation. She volunteered her legal skills on the boards of several community non-profit organizations including the Kamloops Regional Law Centre, the Elizabeth Fry Society, the Kamloops Youth Resources Society, the Kamloops Infant Development Society, and the Working Committee to establish the Kamloops Women’s Shelter. During this period she and her husband began their family and are the proud parents of three grown children.

“Receiving this recognition from Thompson Rivers University is very exciting in light of the University’s new Faculty of Law and the positive impact it will have in improving legal access for residents of the BC Interior,” Madam Justice Smith said.

“I am delighted that Madam Justice Smith’s significant contribution to the community and as a lawyer and judge is being recognized by TRU,” said Christopher Axworthy, TRU’s Founding Dean of Law. “As a senior member of the judiciary based in Kamloops, she will be an invaluable resource as our Faculty of Law moves forward.”

In September 2011 students will begin studies at the TRU Faculty of Law, the first new law school in Canada in over 35 years.