First Canadian-born Black justice paved the way for others in the profession

Lionel Jones, ‘63 LLB, was among the earliest Black graduates of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and went on to break many barriers during his 37-year career.

Notably, Jones became the first Canadian-born Black justice. He was appointed to the provincial bench in 1977 and then to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in 1995, serving for six years before retiring in 2001.

Even in the early days of his career, Jones accomplished many milestones in the legal profession.

After graduating from the Faculty in 1963, Jones’ bar call marked a historic moment. On June 9, 1964, he became the first Black man and the second Black lawyer to be admitted to the Law Society of Alberta, preceded by Violet King, ‘53 LLB, who was admitted to the bar 10 years earlier.

Prior to serving as a justice, Jones worked as a legislative draftsman and as a crown prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General of Alberta. He later served as senior crown counsel in the Department of Justice.

Jones taught as a sessional instructor for the Faculty of Law and for the law enforcement program at MacEwan University. He was the first recipient of the James Bell Award for “outstanding courage and achievement against challenging odds,” awarded by the National Black Coalition of Canada in 1990.

Jones died on October 19, 2016, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the next generation of Black lawyers.