Toll-free: 1-877-559-8585
Kentville Office: 902-678-3257
Meet the Lawyers & Support Staff of Waterbury Newton
The experienced team of lawyers and support staff at Waterbury Newton all work together, pooling our skills and resources to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients. We are proud to have a strong team of lawyers and support staff that ensure quality of service to our clients.
Lawyers
To learn more about our lawyers, please click on the corresponding name. You can also find a breakdown of our lawyers, paralegals and support staff on the contact us page.
Support Staff
Our firm’s paralegals and support staff are integral to our legal services and are highly-skilled professionals. They provide quality service to both lawyers and clients alike.
Property Paralegal
Ext 238
Shelly Egan, CAP, OM
Human Resources Coordinator
Legal Assistant Jennifer Young
Ext. 225
Angela Elliott
Litigation Paralegal to Paul Walter, K.C.
Probate Paralegal to Trinda Ernst, K.C. and Randall Prime
Ext. 242
Paul L. Walter, KC.
Paul L. Walter, K.C.
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: pwalter@wnns.ca
Legal Assistant: Angela Elliott
Email: aelliott@wnns.ca
Paul is the chief executive officer of Waterbury Newton and has been practicing law with our firm for over 30 years. Paul has successfully represented numerous clients from all regions of Nova Scotia, and over the years, has secured millions of dollars in compensation for his clients.
Paul has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 1982.
Practice Areas
Paul’s areas of practice include:
- Civil litigation
- Personal and fatal injury claims
- Automobile, homeowners, and general liability insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Workers compensation claims
- Canada pension plan disability claims
- Product liability
- Professional liability
Community Activities & Interests
- Board Member of Black Business Community Investment Fund Ltd.
- Board Member of Black Business Consulting Ltd.
- Member and Past President: Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (Valley Chapter)
- Past Member Black Education Committee of Kings County
- Past Member of Valley Black Resources and Information Society
- Former Coach: Nova Scotia “Mini” Soccer Program
Education
- Dalhousie University 1981, LL.B
- Saint Mary’s University 1978 – Certificate of Honours Equivalency in Political Science
- Saint Mary’s University 1977, B.A. Honours (Magna cum Laude)
- Saint Joseph’s Academy, Antigua, West Indies
Achievements & Affiliations
- Practicing Member of Nova Scotia Bar Since 1982
- Founding Member of the Black Lawyers’ Association of Nova Scotia
- Former Member of Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Administration of Justice Committee, Discipline
- Sub-Committee and Bar Admission Course Screening Committee
Presentations & Publications
- Assisted in Research and Preparation of Report on Prepaid Legal Services (1981)
- Presentations to Dalhousie University Black Law Students Association
- Presentation at the Canadian Bar Association’s Nova Scotia 5th Annual Professional Development Conference
Curtis C. Palmer
Curtis C. Palmer
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: cpalmer@wnns.ca
Paralegal: Patsy Pynch
Email: ppynch@wnns.ca
Curtis is a senior lawyer at Waterbury Newton and has worked with our firm since 1983. He is dedicated to superior client service and his knowledge and courtroom expertise are beneficial to his clients.
Curtis has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 1981.
Practice Areas
Curtis’ areas of legal expertise include:
- Criminal defense
- Personal/fatal injury claims
- Civil litigation
- Administrative law and tribunals
- Property and real estate law
Community Activities & Interests
- Past Chairperson and current Director of the Western Kings Memorial Health Society
- Past President and current Director of the Berwick Curling Club
- Represented Nova Scotia at the 1996 Labatt Brier and at the Tim Hortons Brier in 2007 and again in 2008
Education
- Dalhousie University 1981, LL.B
- Acadia University 1978, B. A.
- West Kings District High School 1975
Achievements & Affiliations
- Practising Member of Nova Scotia Bar Since 1981
- Member of Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association
- Member of Canadian Bar Association
- Certified Lawyer under the Nova Scotia Land Registration System
- Speaker at Area Schools on a Regular Basis
- Represented Nova Scotia at the 2008, 2010 and 2011 Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship and the 2019 Canadian Men's Masters Curling Championship
- Past President of the Kings County Barristers’ Society
- Past Member of Nova Scotia Bar Council
As a member of the Rafuse Rink, Curt holds both the Provincial 2008 Alexander Keith’s Tankard and the 2008 Senior Men’s Championship, the first time this was ever accomplished in Canadian curling history.
Trinda L. Ernst, K.C.
Trinda L. Ernst, K.C.
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: ternst@wnns.ca
Legal Assistant: Angela Elliott
Email: aelliott@wnns.ca
Trinda is a senior lawyer with Waterbury Newton and has been with our firm since 1985. Trinda is an accomplished lawyer and community volunteer with a passion for providing excellent legal services to her clients. She is available for presentations on a variety of topics.
Trinda has been a practising member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 1984.
Practice Areas
- Elder law
- Estate planning, wills and trusts
- Property law
- Corporate and business law
Community Activities & Interests
- Board Member and Vice Chair (2019-2021) of Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
- Charter Member and Club President (2014-2016) of Rotary Club of New Minas Sunrise
- Board Member of Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund
- Member and Past International President (2004-2006) of Harmony, Incorporated
- Member and Assistant Director of Valley Voices (a cappella chorus)
- Member of Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada
- Member and Past President of Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Former Board Member and President (2004-2007) of Valley Regional Hospital Foundation
- Former Board Member of Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society
Education
- Dalhousie University, LL.B (1983)
- Dalhousie University, B.A. (with Distinction) (1980)
Achievements & Affiliations
- Gold Award, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
- Gold Merit Award, Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada
- Practicing Member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (Since 1984)
- National President of The Canadian Bar Association (2011-2012)
- Member of The Canadian Bar Association (Since 1980)
- Member of The Kings County Barristers Society and Past President
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel (2000)
- Certified User, Land Registration System
- CBA- Nova Scotia Branch Distinguished Service Award (2004)
- Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade Executive Director’s Award
- Kings County Business Award – Outstanding Business Person 1998
- Served as a Member of Several Canadian Bar Association and Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Committees, including Law Day Committee, National Elder Law Section, National Women Lawyers Forum, Gender Equality Committee, Past Nova Scotia Branch President and National Director
- CBA - Nova Scotia Branch Community Service Award (2015)
- Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service 2017
Presentations & Publications
- “When is a Joint Asset an Estate Asset” — N.S.B.S. Bar Refresher Course
- “Where There’s a Will” — Firm Brochure
- Organizer of Two CBA-Nova Scotia Branch Conferences for Legal Assistants (Real Property and Family Law and Wills and Probate Practice)
- Co-Organizer of CBA –Nova Scotia Branch “The Well Planned Estate” Seminar
Randall L. Prime
Randall L. Prime
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: rprime@wnns.ca
Paralegal: Victoria Tennyson
Email: vktennyson@wnns.ca
Randall is a senior lawyer with Waterbury Newton and has been with our firm since 1989. Randall’s experience, knowledge and achievements have contributed to his ongoing success as a lawyer who provides outstanding legal services to his clients.
Randall has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 1990.
Practice Areas
Randall’s areas of practice include:
- Property law
- Corporate and business law
- Commercial transactions
- Personal injury claims
- Estate planning, wills and trusts
- Foreclosures
Community Activities & Interests
- Former Director of Kings West Soccer Association
- Former Director of Valley Sport and Multipurpose Facility Association
- Legal Advisor to the Valley District Soccer Association
- Holds a CSA Senior Coaching Certificate
- Past President of Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade
- Past President of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kings and Annapolis Counties
- Former Member of Nova Scotia Forestry Association
- Former Member of Rotary Club of New Minas
Education
- Dalhousie University 1989, LL.B
- University of New Brunswick, 1985, B.Sc. (Forestry)
- Islands Consolidated School, Freeport, Long Island (Recipient: Lieutenant Governor’s Medal)
Achievements & Affiliations
- Practicing Member of Nova Scotia Bar since 1990
- Member of MENSA Canada
- Member of Real Estate Lawyers’ Association of Nova Scotia
- Former Member of Screening Committee, Bar Admission Examination of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
- Certified Lawyer under the Nova Scotia Land Registration System
- Former Member of the Provincial Voluntary Planning Committee which Brought in Nova Scotia’s first Occupier’s Liability Law
- Former Member of Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association
Presentations & Publications
- Appeared on Global TV’s Maritime Noon Program
- Facilitated Workshops for Invisible Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia, including Videos Regarding Canada Pension Plan and Long-Term Disability Appeals
- Contributor to “The Sea Has Many Voices,” Edited by Cynthia Lamson (Legal and Environmental Aspects of Oceans Policy)
Jennifer L. Young
Jennifer L. Young
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: jyoung@wnns.ca
Paralegal: Sarah Naugler
Email: snaugler@wnns.ca
Jennifer is a lawyer with Waterbury Newton and has worked with our firm since 2006. Jennifer is a keen and enthusiastic litigator whose legal skills and knowledge are assets to those she represents.
Jennifer has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 2007.
Practice Areas
Jennifer’s areas of practice include:
- Family law - separation, divorce and adoptions
- Estate planning, wills and trusts, probate
- Property law - real estate transactions and migrations
Community Activities & Interests
- Past Board Member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Annapolis Valley Chapter
- Former Volunteer: Student Legal Services, Criminal Law Section, University of Alberta
- Former Director and President: Faculty of Law Oratory Association, University of Alberta
- Former Vice President Social: Faculty of Law Students Association, University of Alberta
- Former Volunteer: TESL Centre, Saint Mary’s University
Education
- University of Alberta 2006, LL.B
- Saint Mary’s University 2002, B.A. (Criminology and Sociology)
- Bridgetown Regional High School 1998
Achievements & Affiliations
- Practicing Member of Nova Scotia Bar Since 2007
- Member of Canadian Bar Association
- Member of Kings County Barristers’ Society
- Past Federal Crown Prosecutor, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
- Certified Lawyer under the Nova Scotia Land Registration System
- Former Facilitator at Family Court Parent Information Program
- Recipient of Mary C. Daley Scholarship, Saint Mary’s University
- Dean’s List Scholar, Saint Mary’s University
- Recipient of Bruce Jones Memorial Scholarship, University of Alberta
- Per Diem Provincial Crown
Benjamin Corkum
Benjamin Corkum
Kentville Office
Telephone: 902-678-3257
Fax: 902-678-7727
Email: bcorkum@wnns.ca
Legal Assistant: Angela Elliott
Email: aelliott@wnns.ca
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Ben is an associate lawyer with Waterbury Newton and has been with our firm since 2024. Prior to
that, he practiced with KSL Lawyers from 2019 until 2024. Ben aims to provide a friendly and
supportive service to his clients. He has experience appearing before the Small Claims Court,
Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Ben has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 2019.
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Practice Areas
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Ben’s areas of practice include:
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Estate planning, wills, and trusts
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Civil litigation
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Estate litigation
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Community Activities & Interests
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Former director of Bay Rides – Rural Transportation Association
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Former member of the Community Justice Society
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Education
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Dalhousie University, 2015, J.D.
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Saint Mary’s University, 2011, B.A. (Cum Laude)
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Achievements & Affiliations
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Practicing Member of Nova Scotia Bar Since 2019
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Certified Lawyer under the Nova Scotia Land Registration System
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Member of The Kings County Barristers Society