Vancouver lawyer John McAlpine, QC died Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at the age of 91. He had an impressive career in the law spanning nearly 60 years and was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including acting as counsel in major Aboriginal and public interest cases, and also representing high-ranking government officials in inquiries.
He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1950 and then attended Harvard University, where he obtained his LL.B in 1953. He returned to British Columbia and was called to the bar in 1954, practising with Farris & Co. until 1971. In that year, he established McAlpine & Associates. He served the profession, both as President of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch in 1972-1973 and as Chair of Legal Aid Society of British Columbia from 1973-1975. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1976 and was the recipient of the Law Society Award in 2008.
The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, PC, CC said of him: “Through his professionalism, his contributions to judicial education and his role as an example and a mentor, Mr. McAlpine has made an outstanding contribution to the betterment of the law and the improvement of the justice system.”