The Yukon will soon be getting a third Supreme Court justice, as the federal government has appointed Whitehorse lawyer Suzanne Duncan.

Jody Wilson-Raybould, the federal Justice Minister and Attorney General, announced the appointment last Friday in a press release posted to the ministry’s website.

Duncan, who is not doing media interviews, will be filling the gap left after Justice Leigh Gower died Oct. 29.

Mark Wallace, the Law Society of Yukon president, spoke with the Star Monday about the appointment.

“We now have a third judge (in the Supreme Court) again, which is good,” Wallace said.

He has had many dealings with Duncan, as she was the vice-president of the law society, and he noted they have worked together for the past three years.

Wallace feels she is a great choice for Supreme Court justice, describing her as a thoughtful and hard worker – qualities one would want in a judge.

“I think she was an excellent choice,” he said.

He believes one of her strengths is her ability to take in multiple points of view during discussions and to remain inquisitive.

Wallace explained that it will take some time for Duncan to receive the proper training, and thus will not be hearing cases right off the bat. He added that usually, appointees are given some time to wrap up their ongoing work.

Once that stage is completed, Wallace said, a date would be set for the appointment to become effective.

Overall, he feels Duncan should be up to the challenge. Calling her a remarkable addition to the territory’s judiciary, he added that she could really do some good from the bench.

Duncan holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. She received the bachelors in 1982 and 1986 respectively.

She also received a Masters of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto in 2000.

Her career began in Toronto, where she gained experience practising labour law, civil law and immigration law.

Duncan joined the federal Department of Justice in 2001 in Toronto, and eventually transferred to Whitehorse in 2006.

Once in the territory, she focused on Aboriginal law and Crown liability.

She went on to become the lawyer for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in early 2018.

“Working for a self-governing First Nation increased her knowledge and respect for the unique Yukon First Nation final agreements, and allowed her to participate in the exciting challenges and opportunities of implementing the agreements,” the release said.

“The privilege of gaining greater understanding of the experiences and culture of a Yukon First Nation and assisting in their creative journey towards self-determination has been the highlight of her career to date.”

Duncan has held multiple positions in the territory’s law society, including executive and chair of discipline.

She was involved with the Yukon Legal Services Society, serving as the chair of the board of directors.

During her time with the society, she worked to give greater access to justice for people of more modest means.

The Star reached out to the federal ministry for comment on Duncan’s appointment, but no one responded.