Dr. A. John Beke is counsel to the Regina firm. His practice spanned four decades, including corporate and financial work, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial litigation. He was senior general counsel for Saskatchewan Economic Development Corporation. John also served as legal counsel and negotiator of five potash mines. His trial and appellate work includes two successful appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada and major power and utilities rate commission hearings in the 1970s and 1980s. With his diverse and lengthy experience, he contributes his vast wealth of knowledge and insight to the firm.
John was a Director and a member of the Management Committee of the Canadian Lawyers Insurance Association and initiated the establishment of the Bar-Judicial Council of Saskatchewan.
Professional Achievements
· Received the Canada Permanent Trust Prize in Contracts
· First Prize, Senior Moot Competition
· Appointed Chief Justice of the Law School's Moot Court
· Arthur Moxon Fellowship, University of Saskatchewan
· W.W. Cooke Fellowship, University of Michigan
· Canada Council Fellowship
· Canadian Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award, 2004
Representative Work
· Litigation for corporate clients including wrongful dismissal, defamation, Pedigree Poultry suit for denial of egg hatching quota.
· Administrative Law: Regulating hearings for Saskatchewan Milk Control Board.
· Corporate Commercial: Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan ("APAS"), Regina Exhibition Association, Saskatchewan Milk Marketing Board, Summit Memorials: contracts of various types, Conversion of Saskatchewan Milk Control Board from Statutory Board to a Marketing Board.
· Corporate Governance: Bylaws and Governance Manuals for APAS and Regina Exhibition Association and Summit Memorials.
· Estate Planning: Setting up Joint Spousal Trusts and Alter Ego Trusts for various clients with mentally handicapped children.
Directorships
· Director, Autistic Resource Centre Inc.
Community Involvement
· Active in the cause of mentally handicapped persons and abused children.
Industry Expertise
Communications and Telecommunications
Mining
Areas of Focus
Agriculture and Food Production