The Honourable Sara Knowles is appointed to Saskatoon, the Honourable Matthew Schmeling is appointed to Regina, and the Honourable Curtis Wiebe is appointed to Prince Albert.
Judge Knowles graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2004 and was a law clerk with the British Columbia Court of Appeal. She articled with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, was called to the Bar in 2006, and stayed with that firm as a lawyer through 2011. In 2014, Judge Knowles joined Robertson Stromberg LLP in Saskatoon. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was Legal Counsel – Health Services with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, where she was employed since 2018.
Judge Knowles’ practice included commercial litigation, family law and health law.
Outside of work, Judge Knowles is deeply connected to local sports. She has coached numerous community youth soccer and basketball teams, and is a former member of the U of S Huskies women’s basketball team and a member of the Saskatchewan provincial women’s basketball team.
Judge Schmeling grew up on a grain farm south of Regina. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2014 and articled with McDougall Gauley LLP in Regina. He was called to the bar in 2015 and spend the entirety of his career with McDougall Gauley LLP – becoming a Partner in 2022.
Judge Schmeling practiced in the areas of civil litigation, criminal law, professional discipline and regulatory defence, including occupational health and safety. He has run trials in several provinces and has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He was involved with the Canadian Bar Association and served as Chair of the South Saskatchewan Criminal Justice Section. He served as a mentor to young lawyers and students at McDougall Gauley LLP, including acting as a principal to the firm’s articling students.
Outside of work, Judge Schmeling serves on the Board of the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan. He has volunteered with the Regina Public Library assisting new Canadians with English and Mathematics.
Judge Wiebe attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Law and graduated in 2002. He articled with Richard Gibbons in North Battleford and was called to the Bar in 2004. Judge Wiebe worked at Saskatchewan Legal Aid as a staff lawyer for two years before he joined Kanuka Thuringer LLP in Regina in 2006. He spent six years with the firm, eventually obtaining the position of partner. His practice focused on civil litigation, family law and criminal law. During his time in private practice, he was active with the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers’ Association.
In 2012, Judge Wiebe moved into Public Prosecutions with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General as a Crown Prosecutor, and where he served most recently as the Regional Crown Prosecutor in Swift Current. He has appeared in Provincial Court, Court of King’s Bench and the Court of Appeal.
Outside of work, Judge Wiebe is active in the community sports scene in Swift Current. He has coached school basketball and minor league football. He also provides court tours for various school groups in southwest Saskatchewan, is involved with his local church and is an amateur sheep herder.
Read the Judicial Appointment news release: Government of Saskatchewan
