published 01/03/2023
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (TDS) congratulates Jeff Hirsch, John Stefaniuk and Lisa Stiver for receiving the Government of Manitoba’s designation of King’s Counsel (K.C.). This honourary title is given annually to lawyers by the lieutenant-governor in council based on recommendations made by the Justice Minister, on the advice of an advisory council that includes representatives from the judiciary, the legal community, and the public. The appointment recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding practice, integrity and leadership as a lawyer, and who have fostered excellence in the legal profession.
Jeff Hirsch, K.C.
Jeff has been a partner at TDS since 1994 and practises primarily in the areas of professional regulation, administrative law, commercial litigation and professional negligence. His administrative law practice is centered on professional regulation and governance for self-governing professions, and he provides advice to a number of those professions as counsel to inquiry and complaints investigation committees, as a prosecutor, and with respect to policy development. Jeff has been selected multiple times for inclusion by Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law.
Jeff’s appointment as King’s counsel acknowledges his longstanding dedication and commitment to the legal profession and his advocacy for enhancing Canadians’ ability to obtain legal services and access to justice. He served on former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin’s National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters where he was a member of the Steering Committee. He is a past President of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and, in 2016, served on the inaugural Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments. Jeff is a past President of the Law Society of Manitoba and served as Chair of the Law Society’s Complaints Investigation, Discipline, Nominating and Equity Committees, sat on the President’s Special Committee on Re-Visioning Regulation, and was a representative to the (then) Queen’s Bench Statutory Rules Committee and the Community Legal Education Association. As a Life Bencher, Jeff continues to sit as a member of the Law Society’s Discipline Committee and the CPLED Appeals Subcommittee.
Jeff has been a frequent lecturer and seminar leader on regulatory matters, board governance, civil procedure, motions practice, examinations for discovery, negotiation skills and ethics. Jeff taught the third year Remedies course at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and created and taught Access to Justice as a sessional lecturer at Robson Hall. In 2016, he received the Richard J. Scott Award and was recognized for his contributions to the legal profession.
John Stefaniuk, K.C.
John Stefaniuk, K.C., is a partner at TDS who engages in a broad practice with emphasis on environmental law, real estate and development law, natural resources and energy, commercial law and municipal law matters. He earned his commerce and law degrees at the University of Manitoba and began his career at TDS as a student in 1987.
This title recognizes John's leadership, and his contributions and commitment to the legal profession and his home community, Winnipeg. John is currently Vice-President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), where his career-long involvement has also included serving as Chair of the National Environmental Law Section, Chair of the Judicial Issues Subcommittee, member of the Supreme Court Liaison Committee, director of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association, and co-chair of three national conferences. He continues to volunteer with the CBA’s Supporting Inclusive Resource Development project in East Africa. John was president of the Manitoba Bar Association in 2005-2006. He was Board Chair of The Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights during its $150 million capital campaign, culminating in the building of the first national museum outside the National Capital Region.
John has been repeatedly named to the Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Canada. He is listed in the Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory under Environmental Law and Property Development and in the international Chambers Guide and Who’s Who Legal guide under Environmental Law.
Lisa Stiver, K.C.
Lisa Stiver, K.C., is a partner at TDS whose practice focuses on corporate and commercial law, with particular emphasis on commercial transactions, real property conveyancing, leasing and financing, and public tendering and procurement. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in 1995 with Distinction, and received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba in 1998. Lisa was named one of Canada’s 40 leading lawyers under 40 by Lexpert in 2011.
Lisa’s appointment as King’s Counsel pays tribute to her ongoing leadership and contributions to those around her – both in the legal community and at TDS. She is a seminar presenter, author of written materials and Learning Group Facilitator for The Centre for Professional Legal Education program (CPLED) for the Law Society of Manitoba and Virtual Assessor for the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP). Lisa also teaches courses on Contract Administration and Management, Competitive Bid law, and advanced courses on Public Procurement. Lisa also dedicates her time and energy within TDS, where she is currently the Chair of the Management Committee, after serving as a member from 2017-the present, as well as the Chair of the firm’s Business Law Practice Group. She is also on the firm’s Student Committee, having chaired it from 2012-2019.
Lisa is a long-time leader in her community of Winnipeg, where she is currently serving positions as Past-Chairperson of the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation, is a Member of the United Way Finance and Administrative Committee, and is a Director of the Winnipeg Football Club. She is also Vice-President of Nor'West Co-op Community Heath Care Centre, Inc, and Director and Past President of Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers.
Click here to read the Government of Manitoba’s official announcement.
Learn more about King’s Counsel on their website.
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