Commissioner – The Honourable Justice Richard LeBlanc
Justice Richard LeBlanc is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School having previously obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Mary’s University. Justice LeBlanc practiced law in this Province for ten years until his appointment as a Judge.
Justice LeBlanc has been a judge for twenty-eight years having been appointed to the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1989 and then to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland, Trial Division in 2000. He has experience in deciding cases in all areas of the law, including civil, criminal and family cases. Since 2012, Justice LeBlanc served as the Senior Administrative Judge for the Family Division of the Supreme Court.
Justice LeBlanc has been extensively involved in the reform and improvement of the justice system while acting as a judge, particularly in the areas of Court practices, alternative dispute resolution and access to justice.
Justice LeBlanc is a member of a number of provincial and federal judicial committees and groups.
Co-Counsel – Irene Muzychka
Ms. Muzychka holds a B. Comm. (Hons) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and an LL.B from The University of New Brunswick. She was called to the bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1988. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in September 2013.
Ms. Muzychka’s practice is in the field of civil litigation, with a concentration on municipal, insurance defence and medical malpractice law. She has been representing the interests of professional associations and insurance companies in the defence of medical malpractice claims and automobile and commercial claims for 30 years.
Ms. Muzychka also contributes to the legal profession as a presenter in the Civil Litigation Section of the Law Society’s Bar Admission Course, and as a presenter in Seminars and Lectures in the area of Health and Insurance Law.
Ms. Muzychka served 8 years as a Bencher of the Law Society and as President in 2009-2010 and is now an Honourary Bencher of the Law Society. She is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of the Canadian Bar Association.
Co-Counsel – Barry Learmonth
Mr. Learmonth was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1977 having obtained his LL.B. from Dalhousie University in 1976. Mr. Learmonth was appointed Queen’s Counsel in August 2001. He is a partner in the firm of Learmonth, Dunne and Boulos. The primary focus of his legal practice has been in the area of civil litigation, including professional liability and construction law.