McLachlin, Beverley Marian (1943-…), was the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 2000 to 2017. She was the court’s first woman chief justice and became its longest serving chief justice. McLachlin was appointed chief justice by the government headed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. She had served as a puisne (associate) judge of the court since 1989. She gained a reputation as an independent on the court and wrote numerous dissenting opinions.
McLachlin was born Beverley Gietz on Sept. 7, 1943, in Pincher Creek, Alberta. During the 1960’s, she attended the University of Alberta, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy, and a law degree. In 1967, she married Roderick McLachlin, a fellow student. After her graduation, Beverley McLachlin practiced law in private firms. From 1974 to 1981, she taught law at the University of British Columbia. In April 1981, she was appointed to the County Court of Vancouver. In September, she was elevated to the British Columbia Supreme Court. She was appointed to the province’s Court of Appeal in 1985. In 1988, she became the first female chief justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court.
McLachlin served as a puisne judge on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1989 to 2000, when she became the court’s chief justice. McLachlin retired from the Supreme Court in 2017. From 2018 to 2024, she served as an overseas nonpermanent judge on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
