New Judge appointed

Justice Joyce Elder is now a judge for the Ontario Court of Justice.

The local lawyer was sworn in at a ceremony at the Superior Courthouse on Monday. The room was filled with supporters from her family and friends to fellow colleagues and judges.

The hour-long ceremony saw numerous speakers giving praise to Elder’s career as a practicing lawyer before the announcement of her appointment on Dec. 2.

"I was very proud to be apart of the bar for more than 20 years," Elder said. " I’ve been overwhelmed by excitement and joy.’

Elder went to Lakehead University for one year before transferring to Guelph University to take Environmental Science. She eventually went to Osgood Law School and then returned to Thunder Bay to practice law.

Elder concluded her speech by thanking everyone who attended the ceremony. Her voice shook slightly when she began to thank her family.

She jokingly said her husband missed this moose-hunting season to stay home for two weeks so she could take the job.

"This was a beautiful day for ice fishing and you came here instead,’ she said.