From the Mayor's seat to the Court of King's Bench

A new judge will oversee cases in Winnipeg, and he's a familiar face to many.

The Department of Justice announced on Monday that Brian Bowman has been appointed a judge of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench for Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Bowman worked as a lawyer in Winnipeg from 2000 to 2014 and specialized in privacy law. The Canadian Privacy Law Review has referred to Bowman as "one of Canada’s leading privacy law authorities."

In 2014 Bowman ran for Mayor of Winnipeg, and won, on a platform that largely focussed on transparency in public office. He was re-elected in 2018, and then chose to not seek re-election in 2022.

He has most recently been serving as Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact, at Canada Life in Winnipeg.

Brian Bowman celebrates the Bombers' 2019 Grey Cup victory ahead of their parade.

"I wish Justice Bowman every success as he takes on his new role," Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Arif Virani, said in a release on Monday. "I am confident he will serve Manitobans well as a member of His Majesty’s Court of King’s Bench for Manitoba."

The 43rd mayor of Winnipeg, Bowman just had his official portrait unveiled at City Hall last week.

Bowman has received several awards in recognition of his work over the years. That includes Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and the Manitoba Bar Association’s Community Involvement Award. He has volunteered for numerous organizations and has served as Chairperson for the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the University of Manitoba’s Alumni Association.

Bowman and his wife Tracy have two sons and continue to call Winnipeg home.