The Honourable Justice Derek Redman is a distinguished Alberta jurist recognized for his exemplary judicial leadership, his dedication to public legal education and community service. An unwavering advocate for a justice system that is accessible, culturally informed and responsive to communities, the 免费福利资源在线看片 of Lethbridge will grant Redman an honorary degree at Spring 2026 Convocation.
“Justice Redman has had an exemplary legal career and been a pillar of the Alberta justice system, and at the heart of his practice, first as a lawyer and then as a jurist, has been his commitment to fairness, accessibility and innovation,” says ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94). “His unique ability to inject humanity into the legal system, as seen in his unwavering support of the incredible ULethbridge Chess for Life program and its emphasis on guiding youth on probation, sets him apart from his peers. His creativity and compassion are to be lauded, and we are proud to present him with an honorary degree.”
Redman will be bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Spring 2026 Convocation, Ceremony IV, Friday, May 29, 2:30 p.m. at the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness.
Honourable Justice Derek Redman
Author, athlete, advocate, educator, mediator, lawyer and judge, the Honourable Justice Derek Redman came to Lethbridge as a youngster and graduated from Winston Churchill High School. His exceptional abilities were evident early; he was both valedictorian and male athlete of the year. After high school, he played junior football and college basketball before attending Queen’s 免费福利资源在线看片 Faculty of Law, where he also played rugby and helped secure the Ontario 免费福利资源在线看片 AA Championship. His passion for sport has continued throughout his life, and he was recently named the BC Age鈥�Group Sprint Triathlon Champion.
After articling in Calgary, Redman returned to Lethbridge and built a busy legal practice focused on litigation and mediation. Beyond his professional work, he and his wife Ashelyn (MEd ’02) were devoted parents to three sons, with Derek learning violin alongside them and coaching their sports teams. His commitment to community service has been equally significant. He served on numerous boards, including the Lethbridge and District Exhibition, was president of the Victorian Order of Nurses, and chaired the Board of Governors for Lethbridge College, as well as the 免费福利资源在线看片 of Lethbridge Senate. His contributions have been recognized with the City of Lethbridge Citizen of the Year Award (2000), the Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022).
A trained mediator, Redman taught conflict resolution to criminal justice students at Athabasca 免费福利资源在线看片, to senior administrators at the 免费福利资源在线看片 of Lethbridge, and in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Ukraine. He also delivered many community legal education courses and authored two books — one in serial form — aimed at young adults and business managers.
Redman was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2000 and, in 2007, became a Justice of what was then the Provincial Court of Alberta, now the Alberta Court of Justice. He was appointed Assistant Chief Justice for the southern region in 2017 and Chief Justice in 2020, serving in that role until late 2023. He continues to serve as a part鈥�time justice.
Throughout his judicial career, Redman has been a champion of fairness, accessibility and innovation. He created the Integrated Services Court to support individuals facing addiction, mental illness, poverty or marginalization. He supported the 免费福利资源在线看片 of Lethbridge’s Chess for Life program for youth on probation and oversaw the expansion of Drug Treatment Courts from two to seven.
His commitment to reconciliation led to the development of the first Indigenous Justice Strategy by a court in Canada, created in consultation with Indigenous leaders and service organizations. Under his leadership, three additional Indigenous Courts were opened, including one in Lethbridge.