Lawyer Ed Hearn had 'tremendous clarity of thought and intelligence'

A well-known member of Newfoundland and Labrador's legal community whose work was known far beyond his home base in Labrador West will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Ed Hearn, 65, passed away on Thursday, July 23 following a battle with cancer.

He is being remembered as a loyal, caring and generous friend to many, and is being described as an intelligent and passionate lawyer with a special ability to dissect complex issues.

Hearn practiced law for four decades, and began working in Labrador City in 1974.

His law partner, Art Miller, said Hearn was a tremendous lawyer with a great sense of humour.

"We had a lot of fun practicing law," said Miller.

A true legal scholar

Hearn worked plenty of high profile cases, with some going all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

One of his most notable cases was the 1984 Upper Churchill Water Rights Reversion Act, which sought to get a better deal for Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to the Upper Churchill hydroelectric project.

The case was unsuccessful, but Hearn's interest in the topic never faded.

He was chair of the 2041 Group, which has vigorously opposed the multi-billion-dollar Muskrat Falls hydroelctric project in Labrador.

He is also widely known as an expert in constitutional, administrative, aboriginal and labour law.

"He was a true legal scholar and one of the most outstanding lawyers of his time," his obituary stated.

Miller added that Hearn was a "great advocate and litigator."

Hearn is survived by his wife, Grace Ann, and their two daughters, Mikheala and Natika.

Natika is also a lawyer. She joined her father's law firm just six months ago.

"Unfortunately, she did not have as much time as she and I would have liked to have had Ed's influence," said Miller.

Hearn was born in Brigus, which is where his remains will be interned.

A funeral service will take place Saturday at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in St. John's.