By Brook Wagner on April 24, 2026.
An Edmonton-based law professor has been appointed as a justice in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. Eric M. Adams was appointed Thursday by the federal justice minister.–SUPPLIED PHOTObwagner@medicinehatnews.com
A law professor from Edmonton has been appointed as a judge in Alberta. Eric M. Adams, who spent nearly two decades teaching at the University of Alberta, will now serve as a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. He fills the seat left by Justice B.L. Bokenfohr, who resigned in late January.
The appointment was announced Thursday by Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Sean Fraser. “I wish Justice Adams every success as he takes on his new role,” Fraser said. “I am confident he will serve the people of Alberta well…”
Adams was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ont. He studied at McGill University, earned his law degree from Dalhousie Law School and was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2002. He began his career handling civic court cases at a Toronto law firm before returning to school, earning an advanced law degree from the University of Toronto in 2007. That same year, he joined the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law, where he taught Constitutional Law and eventually served three years as Vice Dean. He was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2021.
As a nationally recognized expert in Canadian constitutional law and legal history, Adams has authored nearly 40 articles and book chapters. His work has earned him several major awards, including the Canadian Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Outside the courtroom and classroom, Adams enjoys hockey, the outdoors, the Saturday crossword and spending time with his family.
How are Federal Judges Appointed in Canada?
Federal judges are officially appointed by the Governor General, based on recommendations from the federal Cabinet and the Minister of Justice. Judicial Advisory Committees, one for each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, with 17 committees in total, are responsible for reviewing applications and helping identify the most qualified candidates.
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