Legal Aid lawyer earns prestigious distinction

Local lawyer Derek Hogan has been inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Justice Minister John Hogan praised the longtime Legal Aid lawyer and his accomplishment in the province’s House of Assembly this week, calling him “one of the most respected lawyers in the province” and saying he’s been instrumental in bringing about changes to the justice system.

“He is a shining example of the great expertise within the Legal Aid Commission, our public service and the legal profession,” Hogan said.

Hogan is a Halifax native who has lived in Newfoundland since 1988. He has been a Legal Aid lawyer almost as long.

In 1995, Hogan successfully argued before the Supreme Court of Canada that the rights of his client, Deborah Simpson, had been breached by a weekend stay in the lockup without seeing a judge. Simpson, who had been charged with assault causing bodily harm two years earlier, was arrested on a weekend and forced to remain in custody over a long weekend for St. Patrick’s Day before making her first court appearance. Days after Hogan won the appeal and Simpson’s charge was stayed, weekend court proceedings were implemented in provincial court.

Fellowship in the American College of Trial lawyers is by invitation only and is reserved for trial lawyers who are outstanding in the areas of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Hogan was humble about the recognition this week.

“The induction is a nice honour and I appreciate the minister’s comments,” he said.