The Hon. Justice Robin C. M. Gogan, previously a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Cape Breton, is the newest judge of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.

The appointment, effective immediately, was announced earlier today in a news release from the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada.

“I have known Justice Gogan throughout her judicial career,” said the Hon. Michael J. Wood, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. “As a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, she has demonstrated dedication, integrity, and expertise. Her collegiality and work ethic will serve her well in this new role. I know I speak on behalf of all the judges of the Court of Appeal when I say we are excited with the announcement and look forward to working with her.” 

Today’s appointment returns the Court of Appeal to a full complement, filling the vacancy created when the Hon. Justice Duncan Beveridge retired from the Court on April 1, 2023.

The Hon. Justice Robin C. M. Gogan

Justice Robin Gogan received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University in 1991 and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie Law School in 1994. She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1995.

At the start of her legal career, Justice Gogan practiced as an associate with Anderson Nathanson. She later served as managing partner with The Breton Law Group and later practiced with Sampson McDougall, where she became a partner in 2002. Her main areas of practice were civil litigation, family law, wills and estates, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.

Justice Gogan was a member of the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Petroleum Foundation, the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. She was also a member of Family Mediation Canada and the ADR Institute of Canada.

She was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in 2013 and has presided primarily in Sydney and Port Hawkesbury.

In addition to her responsibilities in court, Justice Gogan serves on several judicial committees, including the Supreme Court (General Division) Bench-Bar Liaison Committee and the Education Committee. She is also the current Chair of the Nova Scotia Courts’ Decision Publication Committee.