Albertans deserve to have an efficient and accessible justice system when they bring matters to court. Appointing applications judges increases dedicated court capacity and ensures the Court of King’s Bench can resolve criminal, civil and family matters in a timely manner.

To strengthen the Court of King’s Bench and improve access to justice, Alberta’s government is appointing Stephanie Wanke in Edmonton, effective June 16, and Stephanie Latimer, KC, in Calgary, effective June 30, as applications judges to the Court of King’s Bench.

“Stephanie Wanke is an accomplished lawyer with considerable leadership experience and Stephanie Latimer has held senior roles with Alberta Justice for many years. I congratulate them both on their appointments and am confident they will bring value to the administration of justice in Alberta.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Individuals appointed to the bench must have at least 10 years at the bar and are recommended through a rigorous review process by an Applications Judge Interview Panel. They are then approved by the Alberta Judicial Council. There are currently eight applications judges, making a total of 10 with these new appointments.

“The work of applications judges is essential to the effective and efficient operation of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. Our two new applications judges will play a pivotal role in enhancing access to justice and ensuring more timely resolution of civil disputes. With congratulations, we welcome Applications Judges Wanke and Latimer and look forward to their contributions to strengthening the Rule of Law in Alberta.”

Kent H. Davidson, chief justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta

Stephanie A. Wanke received a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 2005 after completing a bachelor of arts in political science from the same institution in 2002. She is currently the senior legal editor for the insolvency and restructuring service at Practical Law Canada, a division of Thomson Reuters. She began her legal career as an articling student at Bennett Jones LLP in 2005, practising commercial transactions before transitioning to insolvency law in 2011. She has acted for debtors, creditors and court officers in complex restructuring and bankruptcy matters during nearly a decade of private practice, including as a partner at Miller Thomson LLP.

Stephanie C. Latimer, KC, received a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 1992 and a bachelor of arts (honours) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1989. She was appointed Vice President Law and Associate General Counsel at the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2022, where she led the Law Branch and provided valuable strategic legal advice to leadership. Before that, she spent 13 years with Alberta Justice, where she held various leadership roles including director of the Constitutional and Aboriginal Law Team. She previously served as legal counsel for Justice Canada and as a presiding justice of the peace.

Quick facts

  • Applications judges are part of the Court of King’s Bench and are funded and appointed by the province.
  • Applications judges were known as “masters in chambers” until September 2022, when the title was modernized to reflect their specific role in handling applications and procedural matters.
  • Applications judges deal with matters regarding civil law, maintenance enforcement, foreclosures, bankruptcy, residential tenancy disputes and builders’ liens.

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