Robert Hamilton McKercher
KC
55th President of the Canadian Bar Association
In office
1983–1984
Preceded byL. Yves Fortier
Succeeded byClaude R. Thomson
President of the Law Society of Saskatchewan
In office
1978–1978
Preceded byGrant Harold Martin Armstrong
Succeeded byThomas Clarkson Wakeling
23rd President of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Bar Association
In office
1966–1968
Preceded byW. M. Elliott
Succeeded byA. M. Nicol
Personal details
Born (1930-05-06) May 6, 1930
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
SpousePeggy McKercher
Alma materUniversity of Saskatchewan (BA, LL.B)
Harvard Law School (LL.M)
ProfessionLawyer

Robert Hamilton McKercher KC (born May 6, 1930) is a Canadian lawyer from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He served as the national president of the Canadian Bar Association from 1983 to 1984, as well as president of the Law Society of Saskatchewan in 1978.

Early life and education

McKercher was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the son of Stewart and Etta Marie McKercher. He attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950, and then a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1952.[1] He did post-graduate legal studies at the University of Toronto under Bora Laskin (later Chief Justice of Canada), and then attended Harvard Law School, earning a Master of Laws degree.[2]

Returning to Saskatchewan from Harvard, McKercher entered the practice of law with his brother Donald. The firm continues to operate today as McKercher LLP. He carried on an active practice, including acting as counsel to two different government inquiries.[1] He also acted as counsel for the Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judges Association in a dispute with the government of Saskatchewan over judicial compensation. He eventually appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of the Saskatchewan Provincial Court judges in Reference re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.), the case which established that the constitutional principle of judicial independence requires that issues of judicial compensation must be reviewed by independent commissions.[3]

McKercher is no longer actively involved in the practice of law, but provides some legal services on a pro bono basis to community organizations. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1966.[2]

McKercher has been active in the legal profession. He served two terms as president of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, from 1966 to 1968.[4] He also was elected national president of the CBA, serving from 1983 to 1984.[5] He also served as president of the Law Society of Saskatchewan in 1978, the provincial regulatory body for lawyers.[2][6]

Personal life

McKercher has been married to Peggy McKercher for more than 60 years.[1] She has been extremely active in Saskatoon community organizations, including serving a term as Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Of Note - Alumni News, University of Saskatchewan College of Law, Winter 2013, p. 16" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Robert H. McKercher, Q.C.", McKercher LLP.
  3. ↑ Reference re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.), [1997] 3 SCR 3.
  4. ↑ Canadian Bar Association - Saskatchewan Branch: Council Directory, p. 9.
  5. ↑ Canadian Bar Association: Past CBA Presidents.
  6. ↑ "Past Presidents of the Law Society of Saskatchewan". Retrieved October 13, 2022.
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