Current Equity & Access Initiatives
The Society’s Equity & Access initiatives seek to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of legal services in Nova Scotia.
Equity in Operations and Governance
We work to ensure that the Society’s operations and governance meets the standard set for the profession on equity, diversity and inclusion. We are focused on:
- responding to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;
- developing our capacity to use an equity lens in our decision making; and
- conducting internal training on contemporary and historic equity issues.
Diversity and Cultural Competence of the Nova Scotia Bar
We work to ensure that Nova Scotia’s lawyers are culturally competent, trauma-informed and broadly reflective of Nova Scotia’s diverse populations. We are focused on:
- providing articled clerks and practicing lawyers with cultural competence instruction;
- supporting lawyers and law students with practice advice, resources and opportunities for mentorship; and
- celebrating and reflecting on progress through events honouring our profession’s diversity, such as our annual pride reception and the Racial Equity Committee’s reception honouring racialized and Indigenous articled clerks.
Access to legal services by Nova Scotia’s equity-seeking populations
We work with system and community partners to identify and mitigate systemic barriers to access. We focus on:
- inviting community voices directly to our decision-making tables through the Society’s Council in the Community initiative; and
- facilitating lawyer training in underserved areas of law by hosting workshops provided by community groups in our classroom.
Our Committees: Racial Equity & Gender Equity
The Racial Equity Committee and Gender Equity Committee support Council’s governance and advance Council’s strategic framework by monitoring and advising on programs and policies that address issues of discrimination in the legal profession and in the administration of justice.
These committees develop policy and program options that promote equity and diversity in the legal profession in Nova Scotia and assist the Society’s Equity & Access team to raise awareness of equity and access issues.
Cultural Competence Information and Training
We work to ensure that Nova Scotia’s lawyers are culturally competent, trauma-informed and broadly reflective of Nova Scotia’s diverse populations. We are focused on:
- providing articled clerks and practicing lawyers with cultural competence instruction;
- supporting lawyers and law students with practice advice, resources and opportunities for mentorship; and
- celebrating and reflecting on progress through events honouring our profession’s diversity, such as our annual pride reception and the Racial Equity Committee’s reception honouring racialized and Indigenous articled clerks.
Equity & Access Mentorships
Equity & Access Mentorship Program
This mentorship program is offered in conjunction with the Indigenous Black and Mi’kmaq Initiative at Dalhousie University (IB&M).
Interested in the equity & access mentorship program? Connect with our Equity and Access team at equity@nsbs.org.
The Internationally Trained Lawyers (ITL) Observership Program
This observership program provides internationally trained lawyers with an opportunity to connect with the local legal profession and to learn about the practical and procedural aspects of practising law in Canada.
The Society runs this program in collaboration with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) in Halifax.
Pride Mentorship Program
The Pride Mentorship Program, for 2 Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers, is offered in collaboration with the CBA Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) section.
2SLGBTQ+ lawyers face specific challenges and barriers, and this program provides a forum for discussion, strategy and support designed to improve the practice experience for this community of lawyers.
The Ku’TawTinu: Shared Articling Initiative
This initiative provides Mi’kmaq and Indigenous law students with an opportunity to engage in the process and practice of Aboriginal Law specifically related to legal research and litigation within Indigenous communities.
The Ku’TawTinu: Shared Articling Initiative creates articling positions that will provide a well-rounded articling experience, which will focus on contemporary Mi’kmaq and Indigenous legal issues.
Are you a law student interested in the Ku’TawTinu: Shared Articling Initiative? Connect with our Equity and Access team at equity@nsbs.org.
The Ujima Shared Articling Initiative
Ujima is an African Proverb that means to build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems (collective work and responsibility).
The number of African Nova Scotians graduating from law school each year continues to climb, but the number of opportunities do not.
To support and increase the number of practising African Nova Scotian lawyers the Society is extending the Shared Articling Initiative to include African Nova Scotians.
This will provide a well-rounded articling experience with the opportunity to include a grassroots approach with issues affecting African Nova Scotian communities.
Are you a law student interested in the Ujima Shared Articling Initiative? Connect with our Equity and Access team at equity@nsbs.org.