Lawyers at Work
LASA 62-00-02
1934: Vivian MacMillan vs. The Hon. John E. Brownlee, 1933-1940
The 1930s suit brought against Premier John E. Brownlee for seduction resulted in Alberta’s most sensational case making front page headlines across the country. The jury found in favour of Vivian MacMillan and in disbelief, Justice William Ives threw out their decision and found for Premier Brownlee. His reversal of the jury was overturned on appeal. Shortly thereafter, Brownlee resigned as Premier of Alberta. The destruction of his political career by a 22-year-old stenographer shocked the nation.
LASA 99-016
MacKimmie Matthews Law Firm 1956 staff photograph
R.A. MacKimmie, Mr. Justice M.M. Porter, G.H. Allen, S.H. Wood, J.A. Millard, F.R. Matthews, R.E. Fenton (secretary), E.A. Hutchinson, and F.T. Phillips
LASA 47-G-8
1959: Last Case Before the Privy Council in England, July
Depicted here is the counsel from Canada in the last Canadian appeal to the Privy Council. The case was Wakefield v Oil City Petroleum (Leduc) Ltd. Standing at back (left to right): James H. Laycraft, R.A. MacKimmie, Wm. Stevenson. Seated (left to right): J.V.H. Milvain, W.G. Morrow.
LASA 70-G-1
1973: Landmark Indian Claims Case
Court in session on lakeshore Re: Paulette in Colville Lake, NWT. Justice William Morrow (back to camera) sits beside D. Withaus. Also present are native witnesses and interpreter as well as lawyers Graham Price, Q.C. (seated in robes), G. Sutton (standing in robes) and Frank Smith (far left in robes), July 26, 1973. In this landmark caveat case, Justice Morrow used the opportunity presented to record the oral history and traditions as dictated by elders of the aboriginal community.













