OTTAWA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Thursday announced the appointment of Suzanne Cote as justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Suzanne Cote to the Supreme Court of Canada. With her wealth of legal knowledge and decades of experience, Ms. Cote will be a tremendous benefit to this important Canadian institution," said the Canadian prime minister in a statement.

The appointment is effective Dec. 1, 2014. The Supreme Court of Canada is Canada's final court of appeal.

Cote will fill the seat previously occupied by Justice Louis LeBel. She is the first woman from private practice to be directly appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, she has been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in Canada, the World's Leading Lawyers for Business, and among Canada's Top 25 Women Lawyers.

Cote is head of the Montreal litigation group at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. She is described as one of the most experienced litigators in Canada with extensive expertise in civil and commercial litigation over a distinguished 34 year career.

Cote graduated from Canada's University Laval and has taught at University of Quebec and University of Montreal.