April InForum - Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

April InForum: Introducing the New Award for Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Peoples Excellence in the Legal Profession

Society News

Introducing the New Award for Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Peoples Excellence in the Legal Profession (AMIE)

We’re happy to introduce the Society’s new Award for Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Peoples Excellence in the Legal Profession (AMIE) which recognizes outstanding Mi’kmaq and Indigenous lawyers within Nova Scotia who have contributed to their community, their Nation and the legal profession and to the Society.

The creation of this award was approved by Council at the January 2022 meeting.

The AMIE Committee will review nominations and make recommendations to Council based on the following criteria:

The Nominee is a Mi’kmaw or Indigenous lawyer (practising or non practising) within Nova Scotia.
Community Service: The recipient contributes and shows commitment to the Mi’kmaq & Indigenous community through volunteer work.
Reform: The recipient has made and continues to advocate for reform and change in the justice system to ensure substantive equity for the Mi’kmaq communities and Indigenous peoples living in Nova Scotia.
Leadership: The recipient is a community leader in striving for change.
Mentorship: The recipient is a mentor to other Mi’kmaq and Indigenous lawyers.
Overall: The recipient has a career in advancing Mi’kmaq and Indigenous rights and legal traditions.

Do you know an outstanding Mi’kmaw or Indigenous lawyer who fits the nomination criteria?

Nominate a lawyer by submitting a completed online nomination form or a PDF nomination form by 4:00 PM on June 30, 2022.

Questions about this award? Contact the Society’s Equity and Access at [email protected].  

AMIE Online Nomination Form

Please note that you will not receive a confirmation email. This page will refresh and display a confirmation message confirming that we have received your submission.

Nominate a Lawyer for the Distinguished Service Award

The Society’s Distinguished Service Award (DSA), established in 1999, recognizes outstanding lawyers who have contributed significantly to their community, the legal profession and to the Society.

The 2021 DSA recipient was Malcolm Jeffcock QC. Review the full list of recipients.

The DSA Committee reviews the nominations and makes a recommendation to Council based on these considerations:

Integrity: The recipient is of unimpeachably good character, with a reputation for the highest professional integrity.
Professional achievement: The recipient is amongst the leaders in the practice of law or the academic realm.
Service to the profession: The recipient has made long-term, exceptional volunteer contributions to elevate the legal profession through work with one or more of the following: The Society, the justice system, legal scholarship or otherwise.
Community service: The recipient is an outstanding contributor to the community, through volunteer service and a commitment to making the world a better place.
Reform: The recipient has made an outstanding contribution to the betterment of the law or the improvement of the justice system.
Overall: The recipient espouses the highest ideals of the legal profession and is a person to whom all members of the profession can look for inspiration.

Do you know an outstanding lawyer who fits the nomination criteria?

Nominate a lawyer by submitting a completed online nomination form or send a completed PDF nomination form to [email protected] by 4:00 PM on May 31, 2022.

Both members of the Society and members of the public may nominate a lawyer.

Questions? Please contact Jane WIllwerth, Strategy and Engagement Advisor, at [email protected].

Distinguished Service Award Online Nomination Form

Please note that you will not receive a confirmation email. This page will refresh and display a confirmation message confirming that we have received your submission.

Connect with Us

Our reception will be open Monday-Friday during our office hours (8:30 am-4:30 pm) starting on May 2, 2022. Please note that masking is required and we are a mandatory vaccination facility.

To connect with us:

Call our main switchboard at 902-422-1491
Email our staff – review our staff directory
Drop mail/parcels in our designated drop boxes outside of our office

NSBS Library Catalogue Relaunches with a New Look

The Society’s Library Catalogue provides current, practical Canadian legal resources for Nova Scotia’s legal profession.

We’re excited to relaunch the Library Catalogue with a new look, featuring a ‘Latest Additions’ section to guide you to the latest resources.

latest additions preview from the NSBS library catalogue

The catalogue features a basic search and an advanced search to help you browse by subjects, authors, material types and based on keywords.

preview of the NSBS library catalogue search bar

Access the Library Catalogue

Questions about the Library Catalogue? Connect with us at [email protected] or call 902-425-2665

Society’s Library to Reopen by Appointment Only Starting May 3rd

The Society’s Library will reopen on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, to members/authorized secondary clientele on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.

How the appointment system will work:

Members/authorized secondary clientele wishing to conduct a database search or library material search are asked to email the library at [email protected] or call (902) 425-2665 to book an appointment. Appointment bookings can be made anytime starting Tuesday, April 26 for the appointments starting Tuesday, May 3.
- Library appointments are for a maximum of 60 minutes, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments are available at 9 am, 10:30 am and 2 pm.
- If you reach the end of your research period and need another appointment, please speak with our staff.
You must be fully vaccinated. Please provide your proof of vaccine in advance or have your proof of vaccination ready to show upon arrival to the appointment prior to entry. Refusal to complete this process will result in the cancellation of your appointment.
You are required to bring AND wear your own face covering and to follow safety guidelines while in the Library. Refusal to wear a face-covering will be grounds for the cancellation of your appointment.
Please arrive on time for your appointment. We want to ensure you have maximum time for your research and we need time to sanitize stations prior to the next appointment.
Photocopying and printing are available during your appointment, however, only staff will have access to the photocopier and will copy on your behalf. Members can invoice for all copies or print jobs. We will not accept cash at this time.

The health and safety of our members and staff is our top priority. We are complying with public health order directives including social distancing and cleaning requirements.

If you are ill on the day of your appointment, please contact the Library and reschedule your appointment. If you arrive at the library and show signs of illness and you have not cancelled the appointment, library staff reserve the right to cancel your appointment. Another appointment will be offered, if available.

We continue to offer “curbside” pick-up and drop-off and members can continue to access the library catalogue. The Lawyers’ Reading Room is accessible by logging into the member area of the Society’s website.

Please note that appointments are not available for general work/study, and we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins. After-hours access remains suspended for the foreseeable future.

Questions? Contact the Library at [email protected] or call 902-425-2665.

Summer Student Positions: Law Student Intern (Equity & Access) and Administrative Assistant

Summer Law Student Intern – Equity & Access Office

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (NSBS) regulates the legal profession in Nova Scotia in the public interest. We fulfil our public interest mandate by ensuring that lawyers are competent and ethical, and practice law in accordance with the standards set by the Society.

We are seeking one individual for the summer (up to 17 weeks, 35 hours/week). The position would be of interest to those currently enrolled in a Graduate level program in Law with preference given to Mi’kmaq, Indigenous and African Nova Scotian applicants.

The successful applicant will work with the Equity & Access Office assisting the Society to move forward on a number of strategic initiatives that support Access to Legal Services. Specifically, the Intern will:

support a range of equity, diversity and inclusion-related projects and initiatives.
develop resources and tools for the Society that embed equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights considerations in all aspects of the Society’s work.
support the Society’s equity committees and assist with various education, awareness and learning opportunities that foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural proficiency.
Conduct complex research and data analysis to support the creation of policies, reports and presentations to enable action planning.

Desired skills and attributes:

Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to translate user needs into technical requirements
Extensive research and writing experience
Ability to analyze information and reach conclusions/make recommendations
Project management skills
Strong Interpersonal skills
High level of attention to detail
Ability to work independently with sound judgment
Ability to manage competing priorities
Experience working with confidential/sensitive information an asset
Experience in a legal environment and familiarity with concepts and terminology an asset
A high level of skill in the use of office automation software (Microsoft Office)
Strong information technology skills, including familiarity with databases an asset

Submit your application (resume and cover letter) via email to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled.

The Society is committed to being a workplace that is free of discrimination, values diversity and is representative, at all job levels, of designated groups and the citizens we serve. We welcome applicants from groups who have historically faced barriers to employment. We encourage you to self-identify in your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Summer Student – Administrative Assistant, Finance & Administration

We are seeking one individual for the summer (up to 13 weeks, 35 hours/week). The position would be of interest to those currently enrolled in an Office/Business Administration program.

The successful applicant will work with the Finance and Administration department supporting several specific functions and projects. Specifically, the student will:

Assist with processing of member fee receipts.
Reconcile bank accounts on a daily or weekly basis.
Monitor the Trust Assurance Email folder and review all shortage forms, log data into the member database system and inform staff of any concerning filings.
Review Trust Assurance website content (FAQs) and compare against actual (pdf version) of the Regulations, noting any out-of-date regulations or broken links.
Reorganize the directory structure for Trust Assurance correspondence files.
Update member database for filings of Trust Account signatories.
Review and update the Trust Account Report Response Guidelines to match the current reporting structure.
Research/create standard question and answers for frequently asked trust assurance questions.
Create/maintain a database of Fixed assets, tracking inventory number, serial numbers, location etc.

Desired skills and attributes:

Strong communication skills, both oral and written
Good interpersonal skills
Well-developed organization and time management skills
High level of attention to detail
Ability to work independently with sound judgment
Ability to manage competing priorities
Research and writing experience
Ability to analyze information and reach conclusions/make recommendations
A high level of skill in the use of office automation software (Microsoft Office)
Good information technology skills, including familiarity with databases and data entry
Experience working with confidential/sensitive information an asset
Experience in a legal environment and familiarity with concepts and terminology an asset

Submit your application (resume and cover letter) via email to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Join Our Team: Communications Advisor (One-year term)

Position: Communications Advisor

Position Type: 1 Year Term (start date approximately May 30, 2022)

Job Location: Halifax, NS

About Us

As the regulator of the legal profession, the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society protects the public interest in the practice of law. The Society is the independent, trusted and respected regulator of the legal profession. Acting in the public interest, they provide leadership, value and support to a competent, ethical, inclusive and engaged legal profession.

Learn more about the Society.

About the Communications Advisor

The Communications Advisor is responsible for the development and implementation of an organizational communication plan that aligns and supports the Society’s strategic and operational framework. Specific responsibilities include planning and tactical advice regarding internal and external communications matters, building stakeholder relations as well as brand and reputation management.

Key Responsibilities

Ensures the Society has a Communications plan that is closely aligned with the Strategic and Operational Framework and addresses all aspects of internal and external communications.
Provides communication leadership and support to the Executive Director, Management team, Council and Society departments; works with staff and departments to develop communication plans for specific projects and initiatives.
Supports the relationship between the Society and its members, the government, courts, other justice/legal stakeholders and the public.
Enhances the Society’s reputation through integrated communications and online community outreach.
Develops and maintains relationships with key media contacts and provides media advisories, arranges interviews and provides background information and messaging.
Manages the Society publications, website and social media channels and strategies.
Monitors and keeps current regarding trends influencing digital and other communications and applies this to communications planning and strategies.
Measures and evaluates the Society’s communication and engagement efforts and advises/recommends appropriate responses.
Develops and maintains communications policies and procedures.

Requirements, Skills and Assets

The Communications Advisor ensures the integration of communication and engagement activities within the Society and therefore requires sound judgement, strong communication leadership and excellent interpersonal skills. In particular, the Communications Advisor role requires:

Requirements

Post-secondary graduate in a relevant discipline (Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism)
Minimum 5 years experience as a communications specialist
An equivalent combination of education and experience

Skills

Exceptional oral and written communications skills
Strong research, writing, presentation and editing skills (content, grammar, style)
Experience with social media platforms and digital analytic tools
Proficiency with various software including database management, MS Office, website content management systems
Demonstrated strategic thinking and project management skills including strong organization, planning and time management skills
Ability to identify and define clear priorities while managing multiple initiatives simultaneously and responding to new work demands on short notice
High level of initiative, resourcefulness and creative thinking
Strong attention to detail

Assets

Experience with graphic design, photography, video editing, freelance writing
Experience with website management (WordPress)

Salary: $66,693 – 83,366

Commensurate with qualifications and experience

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this exciting career opportunity, please submit your application in confidence (including resume and cover letter) to the Society via email at [email protected].

We offer a competitive salary based on qualifications and experience; a full health benefit package; a retirement savings program as well as flexible work options.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

April Council Meeting Highlights

The Society’s Council met Friday, April 22, 2022, at 9:00 AM in person and via Zoom.

Race and the Law Essay Prize

We’re seeking essay submissions for the 2022 Race & the Law Essay Prize, an initiative of the Society’s Racial Equity Committee. This award recognizes and encourages outstanding scholarship by law students in Nova Scotia, on topics pertaining specifically to issues of race and law.

Applicants must be currently or previously enrolled in the JD program at the Schulich School of Law. The essay must have been written in the past 24 months for the JD program.

The deadline for submissions is May 20, 2022, and the successful applicant will receive a plaque and a cash prize of $500 at the NSBS Racial Equity Committee’s reception honouring racialized and Indigenous articled clerks.

Learn more about this award, the criteria & submission details

Your Practice

Trust Accounting Guidebook – The Reconciliation Process

A practicing lawyer or law firm must reconcile their trust accounts monthly. This is one of the most important functions that you perform with respect to the account records. Aside from providing a listing of outstanding deposits and cheques, it is a crucial internal control to aid in the identification of any mistakes or errors. This guidebook will support your firm’s reconciliation process.

Guidance on Russian Sanctions

In recent weeks the Government of Canada has introduced new sanctions against Russia and related parties in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions – imposing an asset freeze and prohibiting dealings with designated persons, including individuals and entities – have important implications for legal professionals.

Lawyers are expected to familiarize themselves with the sanctions and exercise due diligence in determining whether the sanctions apply to a matter or client they are dealing with. Due to the evolving nature of the situation, it’s essential to stay up to date on any changes to the sanctions. Members are reminded of their duty to comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and territorial laws, including the sanctions.

To assist, members of the Federation of Law Societies’ Policy Counsel Counterpart Group – a group of senior law society policy counsel and managers – have developed guidance for lawyers on the implication of the sanctions for legal professionals.

Please review the Canadian Sanctions Related to Russia and Belarus: Implications for the Profession. If you have questions, contact the Society’s Legal Services Support at [email protected].

Lawyers’ Insurance Association of Nova Scotia

Professional Responsibility

Notice of Decision: Nash Brogan

Changes in Category: March 31, 2022-April 28, 2022

In every issue of our newsletter InForum, we provide updates on category changes.

Welcome to the new lawyers called to the Nova Scotia Bar:

Brent Jason Adams

Gloria Osayomore Ayemere

Arieh Abraham Bloom

Stephen Michael Deturbide

Kristopher Lee Dixon

Connor MacLean

Allan Hazen Anthony Mason

Andrew Davis McKenzie

Jennifer Rose Marie Power

Raman Kumar Sharma

Sunil Sharma

Lionel James Tupman

Heather Joyce Godden Webster

Welcome to the new articling clerk:

Thomas James Wilson

These members have changed to Practising status:

Shani Beth Frugtniet

Shauna Claire Elizabeth Hall-Coates

Jason Edward McQuaid

Laura Celeste McKenna Neals

Tess Piera Panzarasa

Sean Rajeev Ponnambalam

These members have changed to Non-Practising status:

Pauline Ann Doucette

Marion Jean Ferguson

Hanna Beth Garson

Catherine Grace Gribbin

Iakov Nikolaevich Radyushin

Joseph Royden Trainor, Jr., QC

These members have changed to Retired status:

Terrance Delbert Brown

Daphne Verna Butt

Deborah Isabell Conrad QC

William Mark Penfound QC

These individuals have Resigned:

Pir Mohsin Ali Rashdi

Sanjeev Sahrawat

Cynthia Marietta Thomas

For Your Information

New Application Process for Judicial Appointments Open

Nova Scotia lawyers who want to be provincial court judges can now apply under the Province’s new application process.

“Nova Scotia needs to have a strong pool of candidates who are of the highest integrity, exhibit professional excellence and reflect the wide diversity of this province,” said Brad Johns, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “I invite members of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society who represent the best of Nova Scotia and who are interested in being judges to apply.”

The government recently revised its Provincial Judicial Appointments Guidelines, updating the process for appointing judges to the criminal court. The guidelines include a new independent advisory committee, which will recommend candidates to the minister of justice.

The seven-member advisory committee is chaired by retired Justice N.M. (Nick) Scaravelli.

The guidelines ensure that appointments to the bench continue to be based on merit and professional excellence. Gender, racial and cultural diversity, geographical representation and commitment to public service are among the criteria for the appointment of judges.

There are currently two vacancies on the provincial court.

The Provincial Judicial Appointments Guidelines and the application form are available at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/.

Individuals who previously submitted applications are encouraged to reapply using the new application form.

Members of the Advisory Committee on Provincial Judicial Appointments:

retired Justice N.M. (Nick) Scaravelli, Chair
Paulette Anderson, public representative
Natalie Borden, public representative
Matthew Darrah, on recommendation of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Judge Ann Marie MacInnes, on recommendation of the chief judge of the Provincial court
Anil Mohan, member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Jade Pictou, on recommendation of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

Read the Province’s news release

Notice of Spring 2022 ABC Advertisement Campaign

You can make a difference. Serve on an agency, board, or commission.

Serving on an agency, board, or commission can help you grow personally and professionally while making a real impact in your community.

The deadline for applications to adjudicative ABCs is Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Applications for non-adjudicative ABCs will be accepted at any time but it is expected that departments will begin screening them soon after May 31st.

To learn more and apply visit: https://novascotia.ca/abc or call 1-866-206-6844 (toll free).

The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy. We welcome applications from Aboriginal people, African Nova Scotians, other racially visible people, persons with disabilities, women, and other employment equity groups. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify.

Missing Wills

Name on will: Edward Thistle
Last known residence: 1075 Castle Bay
Any lawyers with information please contact Gary Thistle at [email protected] or 902 561 3511

Name on will: Yeji Yamanaka
Last known residence: 9 Confederation Ave (Fall River)
Any lawyers with information please contact Philip Whitehead at [email protected] or 902 404 3622

Name on will: Garry Slauenwhite
Last known residence: Melvern Square
Any lawyers with information please contact Catherine Smith at [email protected] or 902 670 4498

News from the NS Courts

Career Opportunities

Upcoming Events

These events include NSBS events as well as professional development opportunities and related events posted to the events page on our website.