Kathryn Pentz has been appointed chief Crown attorney of the Cape Breton region, effective today, March 23.
“I am very pleased to have a Crown attorney of Ms. Pentz’s ability heading the Cape Breton region,” said Martin Herschorn, director of Public Prosecutions.
“Her prosecutorial experience and leadership skills make her an ideal fit for this key management role.”
Ms. Pentz will lead a team of 14 Crown attorneys and 11 support staff in Sydney and Port Hawkesbury.
A native of Halifax, Ms. Pentz holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Dalhousie University. In 1983 she graduated from Dalhousie University with a master of business administration and law degree.
Ms. Pentz began her law career as an articled clerk to Nova Scotia Legal Aid in Sydney. She then spent a year as a staff lawyer with the Halifax office of Legal Aid before joining the law office of William P. Burchell in Sydney Mines in 1985. Ms. Pentz practised general law with an emphasis on criminal law. She also prosecuted offences under provincial legislation and town bylaws for the former town of Sydney Mines.
In 1991 Ms. Pentz joined the Sydney law office of Joseph L. Salter as an associate focusing on criminal law.
Ms. Pentz joined the Sydney office of the Public Prosecution Service in 1993. As a Crown attorney, Ms. Pentz has prosecuted thousands of criminal offences ranging from theft to murder. She was appointed a senior Crown attorney in 1999 and achieved the designation of senior Crown counsel in 2005.
Ms. Pentz has been a reserve member of the Canadian Forces since 1991 and is the deputy judge advocate in Sydney providing legal advice to reservists. She was promoted to major in 2002.
She received a Queen’s Counsel designation in 2008.
Ms. Pentz is the chair of the Continuing Education Committee of the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society. She has served on several area committees dealing with sexual assault response, family violence and judicial centre security. She has made numerous presentations on various legal issues to Crown attorneys, enforcement officers, police, case workers and members of the military.
Ms. Pentz replaces Dan MacRury who was appointed a provincial court judge last year.
Source: Release
