Ottawa – The World Sikh Organization of Canada is proud to announce that Palbinder Kaur Shergill has been appointed Queen's Counsel (QC). Ms. Shergill has served as general legal counsel for the WSO since 1991 on a pro bono basis. This honor has been bestowed to recognize her exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession.
In an announcement by BC Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond, thirty lawyers were appointed as Queen's Counsel. Appointees must demonstrate professional integrity, good character, and excellence in the practice of law.
Ms. Shergill has represented the WSO and the interests of the Canadian Sikh community in several landmark cases and those heard by the Supreme Court of Canada, including Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem, dealing with freedom of religion and Multani v. Commission Scolaire, dealing with right of Sikh students to wear the kirpan in schools. Ms. Shergill is a prominent member of the Sikh community in Canada and is regularly invited to speak on human rights and Sikh issues both nationally and internationally. She has a full-time private practice in commercial and civil litigation, and is acknowledged by her peers as a leading practitioner.
In addition to her volunteer work in the Sikh community, Ms. Shergill is currently a Governor for the Trial Lawyers Association of BC. She has also served as a Director on the Fraser Health Authority Board from 2002 to 2008 and is a past Chair of the National Administrative Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.