EDMONTON – A provincial court judge who has become a familiar face in Westlock Court of Justice has been promoted to assistant chief justice for the Edmonton Region effective Jan. 15.
Justice Gordon Putnam’s term as Assistant Chief Justice will expire on Jan. 14, 2030, according to a statement issued by Alberta’s department of justice.
“I have prioritized filling vacancies at the Alberta Court of Justice as part of my commitment to improve access to justice for Albertans,” said Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
Other new appointments include Christine A. Palmer who will serve as a justice for the Northern Region and Emem Madu who will serve as a justice for the Edmonton Family and Youth Division. These appointments are in addition to the three assistant chief justices and nine new justices that were appointed last year.
“I am confident each of these appointees will serve Albertans well, and I congratulate them on their new roles,” said Amery.
Putnam received a bachelor of arts from the University of Alberta in 1987 and a juris doctor from the University of Alberta in 1991. He was appointed a judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta on June 1, 2022, which is now called Alberta Court of Justice.
Prior to his appointment, Putnam worked as an associate lawyer for Thomas Walter and Company in Gibbons from 1992 to 1996 and then as a managing partner at Putnam Law LLP in Morinville from 1996 to 2022. His appointment as assistant chief justice for the Edmonton Region takes effect immediately.
Palmer received a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 2006. She has worked as a Crown prosecutor in Hinton since 2011. Her appointment to the Northern Region took effect on Jan 20.
Madu received a bachelor of laws from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2002, a barrister at law from the Nigerian Law School in 2003 and a master of laws from the University of Alberta in 2007. She has worked as a sole practitioner since 2012, first at Laurier Law Office in Edmonton and at Tisel Law in Edmonton since 2013. Her appointment to the Edmonton Family and Youth Division takes effect Jan. 31, 2025.
Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice. Their applications are reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council and Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee. The recommendations are then made to the minister of justice and cabinet for appointment.
