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2010 - Distinguished Georgian Award: The Honourable Donald Brenner '62, QC
Donald Brenner led a distinguished career in several roles – first a commercial pilot, then a lawyer, then a judge, and finally as an arbitrator and mediator. He acquired greatest profile through his judicial service on the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to which he was appointed in 1992. Eight years later, he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia – a position that he held until his retirement from the court in 2009. Throughout his tenure, Chief Justice Brenner strove to improve the Court's efficiency and effectiveness with a view to improving access to justice. He co-founded the Court's Information Technology Committee and in 1999 became Chair of the Litigation Management Committee.
Chief Justice Brenner played a pivotal role on the BC Justice Review Task Force, which was formed in March 2002 with the objective of identifying a wide range of reform ideas and initiatives to help make the justice system more responsive, accessible, and cost-effective. As a result of the Task Force’s work, the Court adopted a new set of civil rules that marked the first change in procedures since the litigation process was formalized in the 19th century.
At the age of 17, Mr. Brenner received his fixed-wing pilot's license, followed by his helicopter license. During a number of his summers, he would earn money by flying helicopters in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Central and South America. He went on to become one of the youngest commercial pilots at Canadian Airlines, eventually becoming a captain of a Boeing 737.
After several years of flying, Mr. Brenner resolved to pursue a new path and in 1967 went to law school at the University of British Columbia. Following graduation, he articled at Shulman, Tupper, Worrall, Johnson & Laxton and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1971. He then formed his own law firm in partnership with Brian Abraham and developed a leading practice as counsel in the fields of aviation, professional indemnity, and products liability law. Throughout law school, articles and his practice, Mr. Brenner continued flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. While in practice, he also served as chair of the CBABC Air Law Section, and as a director of the Air Transport Association of Canada, the British Columbia Aviation Council, and the Lawyers' Inn. He participated in the Law Society's governance as a member of the Credentials Committee and was also called to the Bars of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta. He was named Queen's Counsel in 1987.
After his appointment in 2000 as the ranking trial judge in British Columbia, Chief Justice Brenner continued to sit as a trial judge hearing cases principally in the areas of commercial insolvency, corporate reorganization, and class actions.
After his retirement from the bench, he joined the Vancouver law firm of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP as Senior Counsel. Mr. Brenner also served as Vice Chair of the Vancouver Foundation. Mr. Brenner died unexpectedly of natural causes on March 12, 2011, at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife, Robin, and two daughters.
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Chief Justice Brenner played a pivotal role on the BC Justice Review Task Force, which was formed in March 2002 with the objective of identifying a wide range of reform ideas and initiatives to help make the justice system more responsive, accessible, and cost-effective. As a result of the Task Force’s work, the Court adopted a new set of civil rules that marked the first change in procedures since the litigation process was formalized in the 19th century.
At the age of 17, Mr. Brenner received his fixed-wing pilot's license, followed by his helicopter license. During a number of his summers, he would earn money by flying helicopters in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Central and South America. He went on to become one of the youngest commercial pilots at Canadian Airlines, eventually becoming a captain of a Boeing 737.
After several years of flying, Mr. Brenner resolved to pursue a new path and in 1967 went to law school at the University of British Columbia. Following graduation, he articled at Shulman, Tupper, Worrall, Johnson & Laxton and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1971. He then formed his own law firm in partnership with Brian Abraham and developed a leading practice as counsel in the fields of aviation, professional indemnity, and products liability law. Throughout law school, articles and his practice, Mr. Brenner continued flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. While in practice, he also served as chair of the CBABC Air Law Section, and as a director of the Air Transport Association of Canada, the British Columbia Aviation Council, and the Lawyers' Inn. He participated in the Law Society's governance as a member of the Credentials Committee and was also called to the Bars of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta. He was named Queen's Counsel in 1987.
After his appointment in 2000 as the ranking trial judge in British Columbia, Chief Justice Brenner continued to sit as a trial judge hearing cases principally in the areas of commercial insolvency, corporate reorganization, and class actions.
After his retirement from the bench, he joined the Vancouver law firm of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP as Senior Counsel. Mr. Brenner also served as Vice Chair of the Vancouver Foundation. Mr. Brenner died unexpectedly of natural causes on March 12, 2011, at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife, Robin, and two daughters.
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Contributions to St. George's School Foundation are eligible for tax receipts as prescribed by Canadian law. St. George's School Foundation's Charitable Registration Number is: 11917-5511 RR0001.
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