King’s Counsel appointments announced

Karen A. Rose, Gary S. Scales and Paul M. Kiley are this year’s recipients of the highest honour in the field of law. 

“I’m very pleased to announce Karen, Gary and Paul as our Province’s most recent recipients of the King’s Counsel designation. I want to congratulate all three individuals on receiving this honour and thank them for their continued excellence and contribution towards our legal and Island community.” 

- Deputy Premier, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General Bloyce Thompson. “

The tradition of King’s Counsel, formally know as Queen’s Counsel, dates back to the 16th century when one or two barristers of the English High Court would be selected to provide legal counsel to the Crown. This annual tradition has continued for 425 years across many Commonwealth countries to recognize exemplary lawyers for their contributions to the field of law, leadership, professionalism, as well as their public and social contributions to improve the lives of all residents.

The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island will host a formal ceremony for the 2023 King’s Counsel recipients in the new year.

Backgrounder: 

Karen A. Rose is currently employed as the Prothonotary of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1988, graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1992 and later received a Masters degree in Business Administration from Brock University. Prior to her current position, Ms. Rose enjoyed private practice in Summerside and Charlottetown and served twice as PEI’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Gary S. Scales is currently a partner with McInnes Cooper in their Charlottetown office. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bishop’s University in 1988, graduated from the University of New Brunswick Law School in 1992 and received a Masters degree in law (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics in 1993. 
Mr. Scales has been nationally recognized as a leading lawyer for his practice in the areas of Corporate Commercial Law, Corporate Finance & Securities and Property Development. He is actively involved in the community and charitable organizations, including: the Law Foundation of PEI (Chair), PEI Branch Chair and National Executive Committee Member of the Canadian Bar Association Immigration Law Section, Rotary Club of Charlottetown Literacy Foundation (Chair), Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (Regional Ambassador), Law Society of Prince Edward Island Council (member).

Paul M. Kiley is currently a partner with Stewart McKelvey in their Charlottetown office. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1995 and graduated from the University of New Brunswick Law School in 1998. Mr. Kiley has been nationally recognized as a leading lawyer for his practice in the areas of Corporate Law and Banking and Finance Law. He has been active in the community and charitable organizations, including the PEI Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (Past President), the Murchison Foundation (Director), the Law Foundation of PEI (former Chair) and the Hospice Palliative Care Association of Prince Edward Island (former Director). 

Media contact:
Kip Ready
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Justice and Public Safety 
kjready@gov.pe.ca