Equity & Access Resources

Search for Equity Resources: Practice Resource Search Tool

The Society’s practice resource search will help you find websites, articles, webinars, podcasts, videos and more to support you in your legal practice. The Equity and Cultural Competence category includes resources focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender issues, anti-racism, trauma-informed lawyering, restorative approaches, implicit biases, African Nova Scotian issues, TRC resources and more.

Are you seeking a specific equity and access related practice resource? Connect with our Equity and Access team at [email protected].

The Equity Lens Toolkit 

The Society’s Equity Lens Toolkit provides lawyers, law firms, and Society staff and volunteers with instructions on how to apply an ‘equity lens’ to their decision-making. It includes a description of the equity lens and a set of worksheets and reference material to help users apply it in practice. 

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].