Montreal trial lawyer Suzanne Côté is a legal star handpicked in secret by Prime Minister Stephen Harper Thursday to shine on the country’s top court.

Widely hailed by colleagues, academics and the political opposition, Côté is a shrewd choice whose presence will boost the number of women on the Supreme Court of Canada back up to the historic high of four of the nine judges.

“She’s one of the top litigators in Quebec, not just the top female litigator but arguably the top litigator,” said Université de Montreal law professor Paul Daly. “She’s one of the most renowned members of the bar in Quebec.”