Biography

Biography of the Integrity Commissioner 

Norman Pickell was appointed Acting Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut on July 3, 2008. Mr. Pickell was  confirmed as the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut on September 9, 2008.

Mr. Pickell and his wife, Nancy, live in Goderich, Ontario.  They are the proud parents of three adult children and two grandchildren. 

Norman graduated from the University of Windsor Law School and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1974. 

For the first 30 years as a lawyer, Norman carried on a general law practice, including a big litigation practice with criminal and family law files.  Now Norman restricts his law practice to real estate, business and corporate law, elder law, wills and estates and estate planning (including the setting up of trusts). 

Norman Pickell is also a mediator, with training and experience to mediate various types of conflict.  He especially prefers to be the mediator, instead of the lawyer, in family law disputes, as well as in other types of legal disputes.  Norman is on the Ontario Roster as a Child Protection Mediator. 

With training and experience as an arbitrator, Mr. Pickell is also qualified to arbitrate a wide variety of matters. 

For over 22 years, Norman has presided over trials and settlement conferences as a Deputy Small Claims Court Judge. 

Since 1989, Norman Pickell has been a Practice Reviewer for the Law Society of Upper Canada. 

Norman has been actively involved in his community.  Since moving to Goderich, Ontario in 1972, Norman has been very active in his church, the Rotary Club, the local hospital, public education and other organizations. 

Norman was the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital located in Goderich, Ontario from June 2004 until June 2007, and still serves on the Board of Directors. 

Norman is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Goderich (1979 – 1980) and a member and Past President of the Huron Law Association (1996 – 1998). 

A member of North Street United Church in Goderich, Ontario since 1972, Norman has been Chairperson of the Church Board for a total of four years – in 1975 and 1976 and again in 1999 and 2000. 

For nine years (from 1988 to 1997), Norman was a School Trustee on the Huron County Board of Education (which is now part of the Avon Maitland District School Board).