4 lawyers get honorary title

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Four local lawyers have been appointed the honorary title of Queen's counsel, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton announced Monday.

Among the appointees are lawyers who have prosecuted high-profile criminal cases as well as family, civil and commercial law cases.

Many of the appointees have also advocated for seniors and the disabled, and have given back to their communities through a wide variety of charitable causes. 

David Michael Rush from Kelowna is the founding partner of Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP and is recognized as one of the top civil litigators in the interior of B.C.

A recognized community leader, Mr. Rush has led and contributed to a number of organizations over the course of his career, including the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. He chaired the Okanagan Mountain Fire Recovery Society and was instrumental in raising funds totalling $1,400,000 for those impacted by the 2003 fire.

Raymond Derrick Phillips is duty counsel with the First Nations court in Kamloops, and travels to Pemberton Valley, Nicola Valley and in between to provide legal services and assistance.

Mr. Phillips is a member of the Nlaka'pamux Nation and the Lytton Indian Band. He was the founding board member for Nzen'man Child and Family Development Centre. He also lectures as a guest for Thompson Rivers University, fundraises and champions local activities and causes, and is a dedicated volunteer and coach for local youth basketball.

Dennis Katsumi Hori is a partner with Fulton and Company LLP, where he practices civil litigation, specializing in personal injury claims, insurance claims and employment disputes. He is a member of the American Association for Justice and a member of the Civil Resolution Tribunal Personal Injury Working Group. Mr. Hori is the son of Japanese-Canadian parents who were interned during the Second World War.

Mary Elizabeth MacGregor has been practicing law in the Kamloops area for over 40 years and currently litigates with Mary MacGregor Law Corporation. She is a previous member of the Thompson Rivers University law school advisory committee and annually funds a $10,000 scholarship to the TRU law school first year student with the highest grades.

The Q.C. designation is an honour conferred annually on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution. 

The successful candidates have been members of the B.C. bar for at least five years. A call for Q.C. nominations from the public was made in August. The appointments were made by cabinet through order-in-council.