Defence lawyer ‘always took the high road’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2012 (5089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PROMINENT criminal defence counsel Randy Minuk died Friday after battling pancreatic cancer for more than two years. Minuk was 57.

Minuk, who became a lawyer in 1978 after graduating from the University of Manitoba law school, defended hundreds of clients charged with numerous offences during his career.

“He was a fighter. He was a fellow who took good care of his clients,” fellow lawyer Greg Brodsky said Sunday evening. “He was very forceful for his clients and their rights.”

Minuk often represented clients who couldn’t stand up for themselves, ensuring their rights were protected, Brodsky said.

Minuk would seek out help in difficult cases, said Brodsky: “He was still trying to figure out a different way” to defend his clients.

“It’s not just the loss of a colleague, but the loss of a friend,” lamented Darren Sawchuk, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba. “Randy was a very engaging individual, apart from being a very skilled advocate.”

Sawchuk said Minuk was recognized for always taking the high road, “and he was respected because of that.”

Minuk was very recognizable around the courthouse, Sawchuk pointed out.

“Randy’s signature ponytail and signature silver briefcase were followed by a personality that made everyone around him comfortable,” Sawchuk said.

“He was a sweet person — that’s how he came across to non-legal people,” recalled defence lawyer Hymie Weinstein. “He was the type of person who was well-respected by the Crown and the court and by fellow defence counsel. I can’t recall a single negative comment being said about him.

“He was taken too soon.”

Weinstein said Minuk had always practised as a defence lawyer, and they went so far back together that “I knew him before the ponytail.”

Outside of his law practice, Minuk was a former board member of the Rady Jewish Community Centre and a long-standing committee member of the annual Y sports dinner. He also volunteered with the Shalom Square pavilion during Folklorama for several years.

Minuk is survived by his wife and law partner, Linda, as well as two children, Leigh, 22, and Lana, 19. He is also survived by his father and two brothers.

Minuk’s funeral is being held at the Etz Chayim Synagogue at 123 Matheson Ave. today at 1 p.m.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca