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Norman H. Sims, Q.C.

Norman Harper Sims, Q.C. resides in Minnedosa, Manitoba, with his wife, Elizabeth and their family.

Norman was born in Winnipeg and attended Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg. He subsequently attended the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 1977, majoring in accounting and finance. He then attended the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1980.

Norman articled with Legal Aid Manitoba in Winnipeg and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1981. From 1981 to 1983, Norman and Elizabeth practiced law with the firm of McNeill, Smith, Poole in Virden, Manitoba. In July, 1983, Norman and Elizabeth purchased the R. Dale Brawn Law Office in Minnedosa, Manitoba and practiced in partnership under the firm name of Sims & Sims. Elizabeth left private practice in October, 1994, to become District Registrar of the Neepawa Land Titles Office. Norman received his Queen's Counsel appointment in 1994. His biography appears in the Canadian Who's Who.

Norman was an elected Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba from 1984 to 1992, serving on a variety of committees. In 1992, Norman was appointed a Life Bencher and currently sits as a permanent member of the Law Society Discipline Committee. Norman has been active in the Western Manitoba Bar Association since 1981, serving as President in 1987/88. Norman is also a member of both the Manitoba and Canadian Bar Associations since 1981, being elected as a Member of the Manitoba Bar Council in 1997 and being appointed as a Member-at-Large of the General Practitioner's Conference of the Canadian Bar Association in 1998.

Norman is an active public speaker, having been invited to speak at a variety of community groups, meetings and schools. In September, 1998, he presented a paper entitled "Wills & Estates: Remuneration and Ethical Issues (subtitled: "How to Stay Out of Trouble and Get Paid") at the Law Society of Manitoba Legal Studies CLE Program at Clear Lake, Manitoba. Norman has been published in the Canadian Lawyer magazine.

Norman has also held numerous positions in community and provincial organizations. He has been President of the Kinsmen Club of Minnedosa in 1991/92, the Minnedosa PC Association (Provincial), and the Minnedosa and District Chamber of Commerce. He has been Secretary/Director of the Lisgar-Marquette PC Association (Federal) and Director of the Dauphin-Swan River PC Association (Federal). In addition he has been Secretary/Director of the Heritage Co-op (1992) Ltd.; Director of the Minnedosa and District United Way; Chairman of the Minnedosa Ducks Unlimited Committee; and Legal Counsel to the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Minnedosa, the MPIC Rates Appeal Board, and the Strathclair Drama Club. Norman received the Distinguished Service Award from Ducks Unlimited Canada for outstanding contributions to the cause of wetland and wildlife conservation.

Norman enjoys collecting antiques, skiing, renovating older character homes, politics, music, sailing and woodworking. He is a member of St. Mark's Anglican Church in Minnedosa, where he sings in the Church Choir. He is also a member of the Strathclair Drama Club Choir, the male quartet "Profession 4", and has performed in various roles in dinner theatre. He has been a member of the Strathclair Drama Club since 1986, where is has performed in a number of lead roles in musical productions, including Billy Bigelow in Carousel, the "Scarecrow" in Wizard of Oz, and others.