608 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 80 PART 4 JULY 2022
Dannielle also found time to participate in several community boards and
served on the board of directors of the Autism Community Training Society
for four years. Her dedication to child protection law also came through in
the years she spent teaching legal skills to new hires for the Ministry of Children
and Family Development at the Justice Institute of BC. As well, just
before her appointment, Dannielle was on the Provincial Court pandemic
planning committee assisting with developing practices to ensure access to
justice for family law participants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On hearing Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie relay at the swearing-in ceremony
some of the comments that Judicial Council had received in support
of Dannielle’s appointment, one could only conclude that Dannielle was
destined for the bench. Chief Judge Gillespie, who is married to Dannielle’s
early mentor Brent Strickland, also noted how fitting it was for her to be the
one taking Dannielle out of the practice of law when it was Brent who had
brought her in. This full-circle moment hinted at what many of those who
had practised and worked with Dannielle had known for many years: she
was exactly the type of lawyer—respectful, passionate, caring, knowledgeable
and kind—who would make an excellent member of the judiciary.
Dannielle’s appointment is undoubtedly a great gain for the B.C. Provincial
Court and the public, who have gained a judge who will thoughtfully
and respectfully adjudicate the issues before her. We are confident she is
already making a name for herself in her courtroom with her trademark
calming presence.