They were appointed to Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced a series of appointments to the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The newly appointed justices, Sandra Sukstorf, Christopher Greenwood, Maegen Giltrow, Karrie Anne Wolfe, and Y. Liliane Bantourakis, bring a wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds to the bench.
Sandra Sukstorf was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, transitioning from her role as a military judge at the Office of the Chief Military Judge. Her distinguished career includes a Master of Laws from Queen's University, a Master of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University. A military veteran, Sukstorf has presided over court martials across Canada and was a key figure in managing the investigations, monitoring, and enforcement department at the Law Society of British Columbia. Her expertise in military, maritime, and international criminal law has been pivotal, particularly as an inaugural legal adviser for the Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia. Her exceptional service has earned her an officer induction into the Order of Military Merit and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Christopher Greenwood was born and raised in Vancouver. His path to the judiciary saw him obtaining a law degree from McGill University. He worked with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Vancouver, where he served as Senior General Counsel. He specializes in criminal organizations, complex wiretap cases, and national security files. Furthermore, Greenwood has extensive experience and community engagement, including roles in various national litigation and policy committees.
Giltrow is a native of Port Moody. She brings a profound commitment to Indigenous rights and community welfare to the bench. Her academic journey took her from Simon Fraser University to Dalhousie University, culminating in a Bachelor of Laws degree. Her legal career has focused on working for First Nations, primarily in Aboriginal and treaty rights litigation and Indigenous child welfare matters. She has acted as counsel in Aboriginal and treaty rights trials, appeals and judicial reviews.
Wolfe hails from Kitchener and has obtained a law degree from the University of Victoria. Her work with the Legal Services Branch of the BC Ministry of Attorney General has seen her at the forefront of significant legal disputes, including minority language education rights. Wolfe's contributions to legal education, community theatre, and arts organizations reflect her commitment to enriching the legal profession and the broader community.
Bantourakis has roots in both the Greek and Franco-Ontarian communities. She earned her kaw degree from McGill University. After a clerkship at the Supreme Court of Canada, she joined the Department of Justice Canada in Vancouver, eventually becoming Senior Counsel and Special Advisor to the Regional Director General. She had a complex civil, administrative, and constitutional law practice there. She later joined the BC Prosecution Service as criminal appeals Crown Counsel, specializing in criminal law and appellate advocacy. A career litigator, she has appeared before all levels of the British Columbia and Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
“I wish Justices Sukstorf, Greenwood, Giltrow, Wolfe, and Bantourakis every success as they take on their new role. I am confident they will serve the people of British Columbia well as members of the Supreme Court of British Columbia,” Minister Virani said.
Sukstorf was appointed in Port Coquitlam, Greenwood and Giltrow in Vancouver, Wolfe in Victoria, and Bantourakis in New Westminster.
