Contribute to Your Profession on a Society Committee: 2023-2024 Committee Expressions of Interest

This committee considers matters referred to it in relation to allegations against members of professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming, professional incompetence, and incapacity.  It provides direction on investigations when requested and addresses urgent matters where the public interest may require action by the Society. It refers matters to the Fitness to Practice Committee and to formal hearing and has other specific duties under the Legal Profession Act, Part III. 

Skills and attributes – an understanding of administrative law principles and professional regulation concepts; the CIC’s authority under the Act and regulations; the Code of Professional Conduct; the various practice standards; an ability to review lengthy and complex materials resulting from investigations and other reports; strong analytical and communication skills; an understanding of the Society’s responsibilities and obligations to complainants, lawyers and others impacted by complaints; a commitment to fairness, respect, integrity, accountability; an ability to separate public interest and legal ethics from lawyers’ self interest and, where required, to effectively balance those interests; and an ability to make difficult decisions and demonstrate firmness yet empathy toward those under investigation.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of about 6-10 hours/bimonthly to prepare for and attend regularly scheduled meetings; an additional 4-6 hours through the year to assist with complaint file review when requested; as well as an additional 3-6 hours on an ad hoc basis, as available, for unscheduled meetings, interviews and hearings (approx. 4-6 times per year).

This committee brings forward of its own accord, and reviews proposed changes to the Code, including those recommended by the Federation’s Model Code of Professional Conduct Committee or that otherwise come to the committee’s attention.

Skills and attributes – a detailed understanding of the Code and willingness to deepen that understanding; an ability to separate public interest and legal ethics from lawyers’ self interest and, where required, to balance those interests in order to support the Society’s mandate to protect the public; and an interest in research and reflection on professional values, duties and responsibilities.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 3-5 hours bimonthly.

This committee supports the Society’s work relating to admissions, the Bar Admission Course, the Bar Examination, the National Admission Standards, changes of category by lawyers, lawyers opening new firms, law corporations and LLPs. It develops and reviews policies relating to the credentialing of lawyers. The committee will assist in refining its role and addressing matters that may be assigned to it as part of the Society’s transforming regulation initiative.

Skills and attributes – experience in developing and reviewing policies; an understanding of the role of the regulatory body in credentialing and upholding admission standards; an ability to address regulations and recommend changes that will advance the Society’s strategic directions.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 4-5+ hours/quarter.

The Disability Equity Committee supports Council in the governance of the Society and in advancing Council’s strategic framework by promoting, monitoring, and providing advice about programs and policies that address issues of accessibility and discrimination – as experienced by members of Disability Communities – in the legal profession and with regard to the administration of justice. In doing this work it is mindful of the obligations and spirit of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Skills and attributes – experience in developing and promoting accessibility policies or bringing a disability equity lens to existing policies; ability to advise Council on decisions that advance the Society’s strategic goals related to equity and access to legal services; having an understanding of the role of the equity office and its relationship with the legal profession to enhance accessibility.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours/month on average

This committee makes a recommendation to Council for a recipient of the annual Distinguished Service Award.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 3-4 hours/year.

The Finance Committee supports Council in the governance of the Society by monitoring the finances of the Society (including compliance with budget and financial policies), acting on behalf of Council in regard to the annual audit of the Society finances and acting on behalf of Council in respect of the management of the Society investments.

Skills and attributes – an understanding of financial statements and accounting terminology, investments, budgeting; experience in finance/audit committees; experience in enterprise risk management; and an ability to see the “big picture” relating to finances.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours/month on average (usually no meetings in July and August)

This committee considers matters referred by the Executive Director or the Complaints Investigation Committee regarding concerns about a member’s capacity to engage in the practise of law. The committee also supports Council in the governance of the Society by developing policies and procedures for the Fitness to Practice Committee process.

Skills and attributes – familiarity with and/or specialized training relating to indicia and risks of incapacity including addictions and mental health concerns; clear understanding of the FTPC’s role and authority under the Act and regulations; understanding of resources and programs available to support those suffering from an incapacity; an ability to deal empathetically yet firmly with members under challenging personal circumstances including duress; commitment to fairness, respect, accountability, empathy, and cultural competence; and medical, health & wellness and psychology backgrounds.

Time commitment – ad hoc; most meetings are not scheduled in advance and may need to be convened with little notice, most requiring 2-3 hours, and often by teleconference.

This committee supports Council in the governance of the Society and in advancing Council’s strategic framework by promoting, monitoring and providing advice about programs and policies that address issues of gender discrimination in the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Skills and attributes – experience in developing and promoting gender equity policies or bringing a gender equity lens to existing policies; ability to advise Council on decisions that advance the Society’s strategic goals related to equity and access to legal services; and have an understanding of the role of the equity office and its relationship with the legal profession to enhance gender equity.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours/bimonthly on average.

This committee is responsible for giving advice to Council on ways to continuously enhance the Society’s governance.

Skills and attributes – an understanding of good governance and the role of governance in the work of the Society as a public interest regulator; experience in policy writing and review; experience in board evaluation;

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 3-4 hours/bimonthly on average

Members of this committee serve on panels of three to adjudicate discipline charges and credentialing matters. This committee functions independently of Council, for the most part, and members of this committee are not permitted to also be a member of Council, or any other committee involved in the professional responsibility process.

Skills and attributes – significant knowledge of the Act, Regulations, Code of Professional Conduct, and administrative law principles, as well as civil and criminal court procedures; a solid understanding of the role and experience of an adjudicative body in regulatory matters; strong analytical skills; experience in decision making and writing; an understanding of the application of the ethical rules and practice standards to professional obligations; demonstrated commitment to fairness, respect, integrity, accountability, and the public interest in the practice of law; an ability to review and understand complex testimony, reports, materials and other evidence; and an ability to conduct oneself in an open-minded and unbiased manner.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment that cannot be predicted because it is based on the number of hearings scheduled. There are on average two hearings each year, of varying lengths. All members are required to attend an annual professional development program of 1 – 2 days.

This committee reviews claims for compensation by claimants who have sustained pecuniary losses due to a misappropriation or wrongful conversion of the claimant’s money or property by a member or law corporation. As an advisory committee to Council, it may make recommendations for policy changes in addition to carrying out its responsibilities assigned to it by the Legal Profession Act and the Regulations.

Skills and attributes – an understanding of the Committee’s authority under the Act and regulations, policies and procedures; strong analytical skills; the ability to review sometimes complex and voluminous investigative reports and files; a commitment to fairness, respect, cultural competence, integrity and accountability; a commitment to uphold and protect the public interest and balance these interests with the need to make consistent and appropriate decisions about payments from the Fund.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment that cannot be predicted because it is based on the number of claims being reviewed. It is possible for there to be no meetings in a particular year, or for there to be up to 6 or more meetings, depending on volume of claims.

This committee assists with the recruitment, appointment, and election of members of Council, Officers, Committees, and working groups and the Society’s representatives on external bodies.

Skills and attributes – an understanding of the legal profession and a broad network of legal relationships in Nova Scotia, from experience practising in various parts of the province or with lawyers from many regions; and geographic, practice (area of practice, firm size, years at the Bar), ethnic and cultural diversity.

Time commitment – This committee requires a time commitment of 1-2 hours/bimonthly on average, plus one full day in November for committee population and one full day in February for Second Vice President candidate interviews.

This committee makes recommendations for improvements in the Society’s professional responsibility processes from complaint intake to hearing and is tasked with advising Council on how new models for regulation can be incorporated into that process to support the Society’s commitment to a Triple P and risk-focused approach. The Committee liaises with any committees involved in the processes being recommended for improvement.

Skills and attributes –  significant knowledge of the Act, regulations, Code of Professional Conduct, and administrative law principles, as well as civil and criminal court procedures; familiarity with professional regulation best practices generally; commitment to fairness, respect, integrity, accountability, and the public interest in the practice of law; a progressive and creative attitude that embraces change and process improvement, and an ability to serve as a change agent for those involved in the processes; and experience in prosecution and defence of members of professions.

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 3-5 hours/bimonthly.

The Society’s Professional Standards Committees cover the areas of real estate, family law, criminal law and law office management. The committees develop standards, for approval by Council, that will enhance the quality of practice of the profession and law office management.

Skills and attributes – considerable practice experience in one of the areas covered by the standards or in law firm management; an understanding of the role the Society’s professional standards play in enhancing the quality of practice; and a commitment to developing professional standards that will both assist lawyers in their practices and are practical in setting.

Time commitment – these committees require a time commitment of approximately 3-5 hours/month on average. If assigned to develop a standard, additional time for research, drafting, editing, etc. will be required, which may range from 15-20 hours total on average.

This committee supports Council in the governance of the Society and in advancing Council’s strategic framework by promoting, monitoring and providing advice about programs and policies that address issues of racism and discrimination in the legal profession and with regard to the administration of justice.

Skills and attributes – experience in developing and promoting race and Indigenous equity policies or bringing a such a lens to existing policies; have knowledge/substantive connections to Nova Scotia’s diverse communities; ability to address regulations and policies while providing recommended changes to advance the Society’s strategic goals related to equity and access to legal services; and have an understanding of the role of the equity office and its relationship with the legal profession to enhance race equity and cultural competency. 

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours/bimonthly on average.

This committee supports Council by making recommendations on responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. In developing recommendations for consideration by Council, the TRC Working Group considers the role of the NSBS in responding to the Calls to Action and the value in supporting any activities the NSBS may undertake.

Skills and attributes – experience in developing and promoting decolonized policies or bringing a such a lens to existing policies; have knowledge/substantive connections to Nova Scotia’s Indigenous communities; ability to address regulations and policies while providing recommended changes to advance the Society’s strategic goals related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action; and having an understanding of the role of the equity office and its relationship with the legal profession to enhance equity and cultural competency. 

Time commitment – this committee requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours/bimonthly on average.