MESSAGE FROM SOCIETY PRESIDENT MORGAN MANZER

Dear NSBS Member,
At the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, we are entrusted with the important role of regulating the legal profession in the interest of all Nova Scotians. As part of this, we continuously seek to gain and maintain the trust of the public and the profession.
Council plays a pivotal role in this effort, along with so many aspects of the Society’s work across the province. Being a member of Council is a meaningful undertaking, and we invite you to consider putting yourself forward in the upcoming Council Elections.
As the governing body for the profession, Council approves the Society’s Strategic Direction, sets the Society’s policies, and oversees the regulation of the profession.
To do this, the Society requires committed, diverse, and effective leadership on Council.
Council members lead the Society and lend their voices and unique insights to decisions that affect Nova Scotia’s legal profession. Over the next few years, Council will build upon our efforts to increase access to legal services for the public, and to ensure Nova Scotians are served by a legal profession that is diverse, inclusive and culturally competent. The incoming Council members also will help implement our new strategic plan.
Council needs individuals who have experience in, or are committed to working in, areas such as regulation, governance, access to justice, and equity. These individuals should be strategic thinkers with strong communications skills. And of course, Council would greatly benefit from individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of practice—members of the community who have unquestionable integrity, respect for others, and experience in leadership roles with other organizations.
I urge all lawyers to consider running for Council, stepping up into one of the most important roles we have in our careers—a role that ensures continued self-governance of an independent legal profession.
Sincerely,
Morgan Manzer, President, NSBS

OVERVIEW OF 2025 COUNCIL ELECTIONS
DISTRICT ELECTIONS
Ten Council members will be elected across the province – two each in Cape Breton, Central, and Southwestern Districts, and four from the Halifax District. Practising lawyers in each district are eligible to vote for candidates in their own districts.
Nominations for the District Elections are open from Monday, January 27, 2025 to Monday, February 17, 2025. If an election is required, it will take place from Monday, March 3, 2025 until Monday, March 17, 2025.
Lawyers practising in each district may be nominated by submitting a DISTRICT Nomination Form.
AT LARGE ELECTIONS
This second phase of the election is for three member-at-large Council positions.
Nominations are open from Monday, March 17, 2025 to Monday, April 7, 2025 with the election running from Thursday, April 17, 2025 until Tuesday, April 22, 2025, if required.
All lawyers and non-practising members in the province are eligible and may be nominated by submitting an AT LARGE Nomination Form.
CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES:
A nomination package consists of a completed nomination form and a candidate biography, which is available at 2025 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHY.
CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Current Council members wishing to return to Council for the 2025–2027 term must submit a nomination package to indicate that intention, during the respective nomination period noted above.
INFORMATION SESSION:
The Executive Committee will host an information session on February 6, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. to discuss roles and responsibilities of Council members. To register for a link, please contact us at elections@nsbs.org. If you are unable to attend the session, but still have questions, we encourage you to email us at the same address.