June InForum - Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

June InForum: Gender Equity Committee Update, Save the Date Virtual Pride Event & more

Table of Contents

Nominate a Lawyer for the Distinguished Service Award

The Society’s Distinguished Service Award, established in 1999, is presented to a member of the Society who has made significant contributions to the community and the profession. It is open to both practising lawyers and non-practising members (including retired and life members). In some circumstances, it may be granted posthumously.

The Distinguished Service Award 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 can look for inspiration.

Members of the Society and the public may nominate a lawyer by completing the nomination form by July 30, 2020.

Nomination Form

2020 NSBS Annual Report

“It has been a year of renewal, activity and unexpected challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been numerous examples over the last few months of lawyers and justice system partners moving quickly to provide services to protect the interests of clients and members of the public while respecting public health directives. ”
— 2019-2020 President Carrie Ricker

Read the Society’s 2020 Annual Report

Join our team as a Staff Lawyer, Complaints & Investigation

Position: Staff Lawyer, Complaints and Investigation
Position Type: Permanent, Full-time
Job Location: Halifax, NS

We regulate 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.

NSBS values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and welcome applications from members of equity seeking groups.

Key Responsibilities

This position supports and administers the Society’s mandate to protect the public through the complaints resolution and investigation process. It plays a key role in educating the public and members, and ensuring the public has access to a fair, transparent and thorough complaints process which is proactive, proportionate, principled and risk-focused. The Staff Lawyer provides professional legal support to the Director, General Counsel and Committees. The Staff Lawyer also ensures efficient processing and investigation of claims against the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Compensation.

To achieve these key responsibilities, the Staff Lawyer handles:

Complaint intake
Complaint investigation
Support for Complaints Adjudication
Support for various Society committees

Requirements, Skills and Assets

The Staff Lawyer, Complaints and Investigations, is central to the conduct of investigations, which are fair, efficient, thorough, and carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, policies and procedures. The position requires a confident, mature and professional demeanour. The Staff Lawyer must possess excellent investigative, analytical, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills as well as initiative and coping skills to self-manage a heavy workload with conflicting priorities.

Requirements

LL.B or J.D.
A minimum of three and preferably five years’ experience in the practice of law.

Skills

Strong knowledge of, and experience with applying administrative law principles
Experience in the conduct and management of investigations
Understanding of risk for purposes of identification and responding in the public interest
Negotiation and alternate dispute resolution skills
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills
Excellent interpersonal skills for working with public and volunteers
Ability to analyse situations, discern issues, and communicate empathetically and in a culturally competent manner with people who have concerns and require assistance
Ability to investigate, including the gathering and analysis of information and evidence, and effectively analyse and communicate relevant issues
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Research and legal writing skills
Efficient and discreet
Strong computer and database skills
Ability to work effectively and empathetically with people in challenging circumstances

Assets

Experience with law office procedures and practises
Knowledge of real estate, family, wills and estates, criminal , corporate/commercial legal principles
Knowledge of rules of practice before all levels of Court

How to Apply

This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Submit your application (including resume and cover letter) via email to hr@nsbs.org.

We offer a competitive salary based on experience and qualifications plus a full benefit package as well as an RSP program.

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

Provide your Feedback by June 30th: New Succession Planning Standard

The Law Office Management Standards Committee has extended the deadline for member feedback on the introduction of the new Succession Planning Standard to Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

The Committee will review all comments received and revise the draft Standard, as necessary. It will then present the standard to the Society’s Council for approval.

Provide your Feedback

Gender Equity Committee Consults on COVID-19 with Courts & Members

The Society’s Gender Equity Committee (GEC) supports Council 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. Put more succinctly, GEC exists to try to ensure the female members of the Society feel supported and heard.

In March 2020, the world as we once knew it changed dramatically. Restaurants, bars, hair salons, gyms and many other industries all closed their doors to the public. All learning went virtual and schools and daycares closed.

As we were all forced to shelter in place and work from home, we all felt the impacts of this new world order. It also became clear that certain groups, specifically women, felt additional burdens. Suddenly many of our members became full-time parents, cooks, cleaners, and teachers and yes still practising lawyers. People adapted but not without great stress on their bodies, their families and their practices.

To recognize and offer immediate support to our members, GEC met virtually to discuss what we could do in the short-term. What quickly transpired was a heartwarming discussion where many members shared their stories and struggles. It confirmed what we already knew, that women were feeling overwhelmed by the work required to take on all of these new responsibilities, especially childcare, all while finding time to practice law.

In the short-term, two initiatives were undertaken to offer support. First, we struck a subcommittee to look at how we could ensure the strides women had made in the legal profession were not lost or set back because of Covid-19. We specifically wanted to ensure women who had heavy court driven practices were not forced to choose between their career and care needs. The result was a short but comprehensive memo directed to all court liaison committees highlighting the issues and making recommendations on how the courts could be cognizant of the demands many members, but predominantly female members, were facing.

The Courts were appreciative of our feedback and GEC’s work and consultation was specifically listed in the Court’ Recovery Plan. We are hopeful that this will have a positive impact on women in the profession and we can use this moving forward to highlight how consultation benefits everyone.

Second, GEC hosted a Virtual Check In for members to listen to the struggles the last few months have uncovered and guide our path forward. The work towards a gender equal world is never ending but the GEC wants to tackle it head on. This is step one but any and all thoughts from our members are always welcome

I encourage members to reach out to the GEC by emailing me directly at mkelly@coxandpalmer.com with suggestions to assist us in our mandate. Because a gender equal world is a better world.

Update from Michelle Kelly, NSBS Council Member, Halifax District, on behalf of the Gender Equity Committee

NSBS statement against anti-Black racism

The Society is saddened by the recent tragedies in both the United States and Canada that resulted in the loss of Black lives.

As the regulator of Nova Scotia’s legal profession, we continue to be deeply committed to addressing issues of systemic racism, including anti-Black racism, in the justice system since the release of the Marshall Inquiry recommendations nearly 30 years ago.

Our regulatory objectives specifically call on us to promote the rule of law and the public interest in the justice system; and promote diversity, inclusion and substantive equality and freedom from discrimination in the delivery of legal services and the justice system.

Together with the collaboration of our members, stakeholders, and justice system partners, we will work diligently towards eliminating racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination in the delivery of legal services.

We acknowledge the existence of systemic discrimination in our justice system and the need for action and education to address it. We will continue our efforts to learn, to adapt and improve our processes and to lead Nova Scotia’s legal profession by example.

We encourage our members to continue to learn & educate themselves by reviewing the resources posted to our website.

National Indigenous Peoples Day & Resources for Members

National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21 is an official day of celebration to recognize and honour the culture, unique history, outstanding achievements and influences by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada.

For generations, many Indigenous Peoples and communities across Canada have celebrated their history and culture on this day or near this day because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. This day is celebrated by ceremonies and celebrations that highlight religion, spirituality, artistry, cultural performances and activities.

The month of June specifically is National Indigenous History Month – learn more about National Indigenous History Month.

We encourage our members to recognize this day and to continue their learning this month and on an ongoing basis by reviewing the following:

11 Ways to Virtually Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
CBA Professional Development Course
The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada
Kisa’muemkewey
(written by NSBS First Vice-President Tuma Young QC)
Ko’wey Net “Biodiversity
(written by NSBS First Vice-President Tuma Young QC)
Reconciliation is Hard Work
(written by NSBS First Vice-President Tuma Young QC)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
What is reconciliation?
(Video – TRC Commission of Canada)
MMIWG National Inquiry Calls for Justice
(National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – 2019)

Recognizing Pride Month & Save the Date

Pride Month is about the celebration of diversity, acceptance, love and self-Pride for individuals of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Each year, events are held throughout the world to recognize the contribution, impact and achievements made by the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to commemorate the riots that took place in 1969 in Stonewall Manhattan.

Pride month will be different this year due to COVID-19 but we encourage members to celebrate with friends, family, allies and advocates through a number of virtual events including our virtual event hosted in collaboration with CBA-NS Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section (SOGIC).

Join the NSBS and CBA-NS/SOGIC as we host a virtual event on Thursday, July 16 at 4:30-5:30 pm for a fireside chat with Judge Jean Whalen.

Judge Whalen was the third person of African Descent appointed to the Nova Scotia Judiciary. She sits at the Dartmouth Provincial Court and is a Director of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges. She will share her story and discuss the importance of diversity within the legal profession. Registration details to follow.

Need help with Stale Balances in your trust fund?

Send the Society your submission for Undistributed Trust Funds anytime before August 28, 2020 to be included in the September application.

If you have trust funds that you are not able to return to your client, you can participate with other members when the Society makes application to the Public Trustee for the disposal of undistributed trust funds. Learn more about dealing with stale balances.

The next application for disposal of undistributed trust funds will be in September 2020. You can send your submission to the Society anytime, but you must send it before August 28, 2020 if you want to be included with the September application.

If you wish to make an application for the disposal of undistributed trust funds, please refer to the Procedure and Sample Documents or contact Elaine Cumming, Professional Responsibility Counsel, at (902) 422 1491 or ecumming@nsbs.org.

Lawyers’ Insurance Association of Nova Scotia

Changes in Category: May 28, 2020-June 25, 2020

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

Welcome to the following new lawyers called to the bar virtually June 5, 2020:

Stephen Andrew Anstey

Solange Muise Boudreau

Anne-Marie Kathleen Campbell

Jacob Johnathan Tak Ken Che

Ryan Bruce Christen

Michael Sampson Coady

Michael Andrew Curry

Ashley Catherine Dickey

Selby Andrew Evans

Sahand Farahanchi

Haileigh Cochran Mitchell Fletcher

Amanda Jane Forsey

Shani Beth Frugtniet

James Donald Bryden Gamblin

Hilary Elizabeth Gilroy

Jacob Douglas Glover

Matthew George Esau Hack

Peggy Lee Ann Händel

Allison Corinne Harris

Cherise Noelle Hart

Nathan Alexander Holman

Benjamin Donald Hoskins

Luke Norman Hunter

Robert Daniel Jeffcock

Benjamin Joseph Johnson

Kate Macaulay Jurgens

Nathan Dailey Kaulback

Danielle Jackson Keating

Rebecca Dorothy Khan

Shafic A. Khouri

Vanessa Lynne Kinnear

Eric Rudy Levin

Nathan David Cecil Little

Yan Lu

Michael David Peel Luba

Jack Alexander Fraser MacDonald

James Allan Francis MacDonald

Emma Marie MacIntosh

Katharine Abigail Mack

Jesse Charles MacLean

Matthew Gregoire MacLellan

Lindsay Anne Malloy

Elise Nicole Martino

Emily Elizabeth Haldane McCormick

Paige Elise McInnis

Alexander Hugh McKinnon

Erin Jessica McSorley

Adam Lyle Melvin

Vanja Mitrovic

Leslie Angela Mosher

Alexandria Lesley Muise-Hennessey

Kostantina Northrup

Kacie Celeste Oliver

Matthew Alexander Orrell

Shaylyn Sherisse Oxner

Kyle Fraser Peck

Sean Rajeev Ponnambalam

Natasha Anne Puka

Liam James Queripel

Jessica Nicole Renaud

Drew Davis Ritchie

Jeremy Graham Ryant

Natasha Marie Schigas

Stefan Peter Schmidt

Anthony William Scott

Andrew J.I. Skinner-Ryan

David Frederick McKinley Slipp

Liam Andrew Smith

Sarah Marlene Stevens

Carolyn Patricia Suley

Emily Lorraine Tallon

Nicole Marie Thimot

Jacques Veronique Sheanna Tynes

Kelsey Jordyn Lyn Webb

Fenessa Chantel Williams-Apostolakos

Anthony Wen-Tsun Wong

Welcome to the following articled clerks:

Syed Ebad Abidi

Hannah Elizabeth Adams

Ryan Murray Cutcliffe

Margaret Ellen Day

Arielle Lisa Francis

Moira Esther Harding

Jacqueline Marie Hartigan

Sarah Marie Hebert

Leslie Dawn Hogg

Sydney Ann Hull

Erin Melissa Huntington

David Blair Irvine

Madison Andrew Joe

Kaitlyn Shawna Joyce

Caitlin Marie Mailman

Luke Vincent McCabe

Katherine Madeliene Meagher

Tess Piera Panzarasa

Armand William Paul

Sarah Anne Perrone-Panneton

Marissa Jean Prosper

Sarah Rajguru

Anjana Ravindran

Coralie Jeannine Robert

James Alexander Russell

Madeline Mae Smillie-Sharp

Basia Sophia Sowinski-Banfield

Nathan Douglas Stanley

Joseph Robert Tracey

Victoria Doreen Tremblett

Roberto Justin Walcott

Chung Yuan Wu

Perry Yat Yung

The following members have changed to Non-Practising status:

Sharon Lee Avery

Wayne Douglas Cochrane, QC

Subodhini David

Erica Anne Green

Jessica Sarah Finlayson Irving

John Stetson McFarlane, QC

Oladeji Samuel Omotosho

Virve Sandstrom

Paula Marie Wedge

The following members have Retired:

David Laurence Blaikie

Margaret Louise MacInnis

David Albert Miller, QC

Gerri Frances O’Shea

Amy Jo Anne Parker

Suzanne L. Pelham Belliveau

Catherine E. Smith

Barbara Jane Snowdon

The following members have Resigned:

Paula Margaret Anderson

Vikaas Bansal

Mary Lynn Carmichael

Terrence Raeburn Owen Robert Cooper, QC

Balraj Kaur Dosanjh

Amanda Lee Fricker

Raymond Glennie

Michael Patrick Keliher

Erinn Gerard Moore

For Your Information

The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Adds its Voice Against Systemic Racism (June 9, 2020). The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia stands with those affected by deep-seated racism in our society. We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, partners, and communities in calling for an end to police brutality and racial injustice, whether outright or systemic. Read more
The Federal Department of Justice has confirmed that the coming into force date for Bill-78 (the Act to amend the Divorce Act) has been set by the federal Treasury Board and is now March 1, 2021. Learn more.
Stan MacDonald, Paul Niefer, Allan MacDonald and Jack MacDonald will be starting a new law firm, Stan MacDonald and Associates, on July 1, 2020. Our focus will continue to be in the areas of criminal defence and regulated professions, as well as certain types of civil litigation. Our new address is 1489 Hollis Street, Suite 301, Halifax, NS B3J 3M5. Our telephone number is 902-706-4545 and our email addresses are smacdonald@smassociates.ca, pniefer@smassociates.ca, amacdonald@smassociates.ca, jmacdonald@smassociates.ca.

Missing Wills

Name on missing will: Peter Trainor
Last known residence: 4 Aberdeen Court Dartmouth, NS
Any lawyers with information please contact: Jeannine Sibbles at Jeannine.sibbles@td.com or (902) 626-9146

Name on missing will: Ronald Leslie Smith
Last known residence: 5951 Highway 6 RR # 4 Linden (Amherst)
Any lawyers with information please contact: Sandra MacDonnell – Trust Officer for Public Trustee office at sandra.macdonnell@novascotia.ca or call (902) 424-7760.

Name on missing will: Brian Lohnes
Last known residence: 6 Tobermory Road, Dartmouth, NS
Any lawyers with information please contact: Sandra MacDonnell – Trust Officer for Public Trustee office at sandra.macdonnell@novascotia.ca or call (902) 424-7760.

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.

A Guide to Preparing for Civil Trials (June 30, 2020)
47th National Criminal Law Program (July 6, 2020)
CCDI Webinar: Let’s talk about privilege (July 7, 2020)
Workplace Harassment: Responses that minimize harm to employees and employers (July 9, 2020)
CCDI Webinar: The struggle of the caregiver – Is your workplace supportive? (July 23, 2020)
Benefits That Benefit: Designing affordable plans that meet employee needs, enhance retention, and prevent discrimination (July 23, 2020)