Province's newest judge sworn in and gets straight to work
Published Saturday November 14th, 2009
The province's newest travelling judge was sworn in as a provincial court judge in Fredericton last week.
Miramichi native Geri Mahoney began work immediately, sitting at the bench in Miramichi Provincial Court for plea court Monday.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Mahoney's longtime law partner Heather Maynes spoke on her behalf.
Mahoney herself spoke about her career in law, beginning as an associate with the law firm Martin, Lordon McKenna in 1984 and then beginning the first all-female law firm in the province in 1987.
"I am saddened to leave a law partnership that was so much a part of my life. The road was not always smooth," said Mahoney as she spoke about losing friend and law partner Suzanne Tremblay.
"We persevered through the challenges and thoroughly enjoyed the good times.
"For the past 22 years I have had the good fortune to work with Heather Maynes, a woman who is dedicated to her profession and unwavering in her loyalty and friendship "¦ it's been quite a journey I am thankful to have shared it with you."
Mahoney spoke about her own personality.
"For those of you who know me, I have always approached life with a certain measure of levity but make no mistake, I am dead serious about my work and am committed to serving the people of New Brunswick as I enter this new stage in my profession.
"To now be so fortunate as to sit on the other side of the dais will be a new experience - inherent with challenges. Judging one's fellow man is not a role to take lightly.
"It is a daunting task replete with difficult decisions that directly impact people's lives.
"While I stand here today with some trepidation, I am honored and humbled to take the oath before this gathering and I will strive to uphold the honour that has been bestowed upon me and the confidence that has been placed in me by the minister of justice."
Mahoney spoke about her life has been shaped by her family, friends and co-workers.
"I was fortunate to have been raised in a loving home in Miramichi, and the roots of that area run deep my veins. My grandfather worked as a woodsman on log drives down the Miramichi River, my father Gerald worked in the woodlands department of the local mill for over 40 years and my brother, Brett continues the tradition today as woodland operations manager."
She said her parents encouraged her and her brothers Brett and Michael in school, sports and whatever activities they undertook.
"My parents showed by example the importance of contributing to one's community."
Mahoney herself has been long involved in the Newcastle Rotary Club and chair of the annual pond hockey tournament.
Mahoney said her own daughter, a recent university graduate, plans on studying law but added she may change her mind after she helped Mahoney's longtime assistant, Cindy Stewart, close down her law practice.
She also thanked her partner in life, Bruce MacKinley, for being "a grounding presence and a constant source of support for whatever endeavours I have undertaken.
"There were never complaints about my absences when I travelled around the province to insurance management meetings or when I was working late, or tending to my pet rotary projects. Instead he offered encouragement and assistance and also good home cooked meals."
"Leaving the practice of law to join the judiciary is an incredible opportunity but yet somewhat bittersweet.
"Celebrating this occasion with friends and family is a memory I will treasure always and for which I am truly grateful."
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