Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces judicial appointments in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

October 10, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada  

The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

David Conway, a sole practitioner in St. John’s, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, General Division. Justice Conway replaces Justice D. Paquette (St. John's - General Division), who passed away January 10, 2022.  The Chief Justice has transferred Justice P. O'Flaherty (Grand Bank) into this vacancy. The vacancy is therefore located in Grand Bank.

Stephanie Hickman, K.C., Partner at Cox & Palmer in St. John’s, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Family Division. Justice Hickman replaces Justice D. Boone (St. John's - General Division), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal on June 2, 2022. The Chief Justice has transferred Justice I. Muzychka (St. John's - Family Division) into this vacancy. The vacancy is therefore located in St. John's - Family Division.

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“I wish Justices Conway and Hickman every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador well as members of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Biographies

Justice David Conway was raised in St. John’s and is a graduate of McGill University (Bachelor of Arts, 1996) and the University of New Brunswick (Bachelor of Laws, 1999). He articled with Lerners LLP before being called to the Bar in Ontario and the Bar in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice Conway spent his career working in-house as a labour lawyer with the Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador until 2017, when he was appointed as the Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board. Following the completion of his term as Chairperson in 2022, he acted as a labour arbitrator, adjudicator, and independent legal counsel. He also conducted statutory reviews for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prior to his appointment, Justice Conway was an instructor in the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar Admission Course, a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Disciplinary Panel, a member of the National Labour & Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, and a past instructor at the graduate-level at Memorial University. His recent volunteer activities include serving on committees for two of the schools that he attended, St. Patrick’s Hall School and Neuchâtel Junior College, and serving on the Board of Directors of the not-for-profit Opimian Society. He has presented at conferences and seminars throughout Canada and has appeared at various levels of Court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Justice Conway and his wife Courtney are the proud parents of three young daughters. 

Justice Stephanie Hickman was born and raised in St. John’s.  She received her B.A. from Memorial University and her LL.B from the University of New Brunswick in 1995. She was called to the bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1996. 

Justice Hickman was chair of the Regional Board of Cox & Palmer and a partner in their St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador office. She spent her professional career at Cox & Palmer and had a thriving construction, commercial, and energy practice providing strategic and practical advice to her clients throughout the region. A Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, she was recognized by her peers and clients as a leader in her field. She has participated in multiple mediations, acted as counsel in the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry, and has appeared before all levels of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2019.

Justice Hickman was a recipient of the Lexpert Zenith Award for mid-career excellence and has been active in many committees and organizations inside and outside the practice of law, including the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (Disciplinary Panel), the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, NLOWE (Newfoundland and Labrador Organization for Women Entrepreneurs), St. John Ambulance, the Dr. Jack Hand Foundation,and was a past chair of the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was also a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization.

Justice Hickman is married to David Fay and enjoys spending time in Ireland..