News and Events

Professor Honoured for Outstanding Contributions with Queen’s Counsel Appointment

Posted January 6, 2010

Professor Ronald Hopp was one of 105 Alberta lawyers honoured with Queen’s Counsel appointments on December 31, 2009.

Hopp practiced with three law firms before joining the Faculty of Law in 1975 and has continued to practice law independently on a part-time basis.

The Queen’s Counsel designation, a tradition that dates back to the 16th century and in Canada, predates Confederation, is an honour conferred on members of the Alberta bar to recognize exceptional merit and contributions to the legal profession and their communities. Candidates are screened by a committee of judicial officials and legal professionals, and recommendations for appointment are then submitted to the Minister of Justice and Cabinet.

“This designation recognizes outstanding expertise, work and contributions in a lawyer’s public life,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Alison Redford said in a press release. “It’s a longstanding tradition and highly esteemed in the legal community.”

Hopp, who was nominated for the appointment by two of his former students, is very honoured with the designation and considers it a wonderful way to highlight “what has been a marvellous professional life.” This year Hopp will celebrate 35 years of service to the Faculty of Law and he is looking forward to retiring from his active part-time practice.

“It is hard to leave what has really been one’s life,” says Hopp when prodded further about his thoughts on retiring from the Faculty. “To paraphrase former president Bill Clinton, when I leave here, they will find my fingernails in the carpet because I will need to be physically removed from my office!”