NSBS President, Michelle Kelly KC, has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Bridgewater.
Justice Kelly is set to replace Justice D.A. Jamieson (Halifax), who was appointed Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on November 5, 2025. The Chief Justice will transfer Justice D. Rowe (Bridgewater) into the Halifax position, with Justice Kelly filling the Bridgewater vacancy.
Justice Kelly took on the role of NSBS President in June of 2025 after occupying the positions of First Vice-President for the 2024/2025 term and Council Member-at-Large from 2019 to 2023.
In line with Society regulations, effective immediately, the Society’s First Vice-President, Candee McCarthy, will assume the duties and powers of NSBS President until Council meets and makes a formal appointment. We anticipate Council doing so in the new year.
“I am absolutely thrilled for Justice Kelly on her appointment. While it is a loss for the Barristers’ Society not to have her complete her presidential year, we were exceptionally well-served by her leadership over the past year and a half. It was a pleasure to work with her, and she demonstrated tremendous integrity and leadership,” said Ms. McCarthy.
“We have a strong and experienced team in place and have already begun our transition accordingly to ensure our work on our mandate will not be interrupted. I have the utmost confidence in Patricia Jones as she steps into the Second Vice-President role, and we are very fortunate to have excellent staff leadership under Jennifer Pink.”
Alongside Justice Kelly, The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has announced the appointment of The Honourable Bryna D. Hatt as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for Pictou.
“Justice Kelly’s appointment is a real win for the community of Bridgewater and for Nova Scotia’s justice system, and I wish her every success in this exciting next chapter of her legal career,” added McCarthy.
The Society would like to wish Justice Kelly and Justice Hatt all the best in their new appointments.