Inquiry Counsel

Mr. Roil obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1968 from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 1971 from Dalhousie University, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in 1972 from the University of London, England. He was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 1972 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988. 

For more than 29 years, Mr. Roil was in engaged in the private practice of law in Newfoundland and Labrador, appearing regularly in the courts and tribunals of the Province.  In later years, his practice focused primarily on labour and employment, together with municipal law and alternative dispute resolution.

In 2001, Mr. Roil left his private law practice and took employment as Corporate Counsel and Corporate Secretary with Marine Atlantic Inc., a federal Crown corporation, where he was responsible for all legal affairs and corporate governance of the Company.  In 2008, he was appointed Interim President & CEO. He retired from Marine Atlantic early in 2009.

During his 37 year career as a lawyer, Mr. Roil has served as a Director of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association (1985-1989), as a Bencher of the Law Society pf Newfoundland (1985-1991), being elected as Treasurer (President) in 1989-1990. He was appointed to the Newfoundland Law Reform Commission (1987-1992), to the Board of Governors of the Law Foundation of Newfoundland (1996 – 2007), and as a Director of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, serving as Co-Chair of the National Annual Conference in 2006.

Mr. Roil was recipient of the 2002 Stirling Award from Law Society for outstanding contributions to the Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador.

He continues to act as an arbitrator, mediator and facilitator, and can be contacted at jroil@nf.sympatico.ca.

Ms. Fagan is a partner with Mercer, MacNab, Vavasour and Fagan in St. John’s. She has extensive litigation experience in the areas of corporate, commercial, employment, fisheries, environmental, marine, personal injury, product and manufacture liability, estate, and family law. She has appeared in numerous Provincial Courts and in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division, Unified Family Court and Court of Appeal as well as appearances before the Federal Court of Canada and administrative boards. Her professional practice also includes alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

In addition to her private practice, Ms. Fagan has an extensive record of voluntary involvement with the Canadian Bar Association, both at the national and provincial branch level. She has held the position of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the Newfoundland branch; chaired several branch and national committees; and, was a member of the national board of directors. She has also served on the Rules Committee of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. She is currently a member of the Disciplinary Panel of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Ms. Fagan is also involved with the Canadian Bar Insurance Association serving as a member of the board of directors, a member of the management board, secretary and chair of the audit committee.

Ms. Fagan is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Atlantic Provinces Arbitration and Mediation Institute, Canadian Maritime Law Association and the Business Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ms. Fagan has returned to her law practice and can be contacted at afagan@mmvf.nf.ca.