Helen Alice Kinnear

Helen Alice Kinnear, (May 6, 1894 – April 25, 1970) was a Canadian lawyer and judge. She was the first woman in the British Commonwealth to be made a King's Counsel, the first female lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court of Canada, and the first woman appointed as a judge by the Government of Canada. Her father, Louis Kinnear, was well-known lawyer who practiced in Port Colborne and Welland County. Afterward she attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar, to become a lawyer, in 1920.

Politics

Kinnear was an active member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Legacy

In 1965, Kinnear was awarded a medallion from the John Howard Society of Ontario for "Distinguished Humanitarian Service". The medallion was minted by INCO in her home town of Port Colborne.

In 1993 Canada Post issued a commemorative stamp to honour Kinnear's achievements.

Kinnear House

Kinnear House was Helen Kinnear's residence from 1904 to 1942. The house was built by lawyer Louis Kinnear in 1904.

In 1999, Kinnear House, situated at 232 Clarence Street, Port Colborne, was added to the database of Heritage Port Colborne's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for the purpose of publicizing Kinnear's residence as a noteworthy local property.