IN THIS ISSUE: Race and the Law Paper Prize; Opportunities and Calls for Expressions of Interest; NSBS Annual Meeting Notice; Changes to Processes; Fee Increases; Undistributed Trust Funds; Ruck Update; Internship Pathway; LSA; AMIE; DSA; Practice Readiness; At Large Acclamations; King Charles III Medal; Missing Wills; Mortgage Discharge Contacts
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Race and the Law Paper 2025 Winners Announced
The NSBS Equity & Access office is delighted to announce the 2025 winner and runners up for the Race and the Law Paper Prize.
Congratulations to this year’s winner Harshini Arumugam for her paper Putting Labour Law to Work: The Imperative of Race Conscious Labour Law.
Harshini Arumugam (she/her) is an articling student at Pink Larkin. She completed her JD at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law with a certificate in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law. Her passion for advocacy and justice led her to law school, where she became involved with organizations oriented towards equity, aid, and legal advancement. She hopes to use her law degree to continue to advocate for systemic changes to the law that will advance racial and gender equity.
Congratulations also to this year’s runners up for their respective papers:
- Brianna Ludlow for Applying Convergence Theory to Section 35 Aboriginal Rights in Canada
- Hannah Balba for They Knew her Only as the Maid: Federal Caregiver Pathways and the Institutional Racialization of Filipina Women in Canada
- Kristen Cooke for Water, Water, Everywhere, nor any Drop to Drink: The not so Ancient Denial of Essential Services to Upper Hammonds Plains
Opportunities and Calls for Expressions of Interest
Nova Scotia Judicial Council
The Provincial Court Act was recently amended to expand the membership of the Judicial Council. Section 16(1)(d) provides that, in addition to the President, Society Council shall appoint four individuals with at least five years’ experience as practising members. If you meet the criteria and have an interest, please send your EOI materials to jmullenger@nsbs.org by Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Public Representatives for NSBS Council
Our Public Representatives are valued members of Council who bring their varied expertise and insight to the table and ensure the public’s perspective is reflected in Council’s decision-making. We’re looking for three members of the public, with a keen interest in contributing to Nova Scotia’s legal profession and to their community, to fill vacant Public Representative seats on Council. If you’re interested, your EOI details will be accepted beyond the previous deadline.
Central District Members for NSBS Council
There are two vacancies to be filled in the Central District. Interested practising lawyers are asked to put their names forward to be appointed to Council for a two-year term. The Central District includes Cumberland, East Hants, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, and Guysborough counties. Interested practising lawyers should contact jmullenger@nsbs.org.
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
NS Legal Aid currently is seeking three practising lawyers to serve on its Board of Directors. Criminal, Family Law, and Governance experience would be an asset. Practising lawyers from across Nova Scotia are invited to apply. NS Legal Aid values diversity and welcomes applications from all equity deserving groups. Applications will be reviewed by the NSBS Nominating Committee, which will make recommendations to the Government of Nova Scotia for the final decisions. Interested practising lawyers matching the criteria should send an EOI along with a resume and skills matrix to wwilson@nsbs.org.
LIANS Peer Volunteer Program
The Lawyers’ Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS) through its LAP Committee is working to reestablish the peer volunteer program— a group of senior lawyers who provide support, encouragement and assistance to members of the profession. If you are interested, see details at LIANS Peer Volunteer Program and contact lrubin@lians.ca
LIANS Mentorship Program
The LIANS mentorship program is focused on assisting young lawyers with their professional development. If you have a minimum of nine years of practice experience and are interested in volunteering a bit of your time to provide support and guidance to young lawyer, please visit the LIANS Mentorship Program and contact lrubin@lians.ca
Complaints Investigation Committee
The Society is seeking practising lawyers with at least 10 years of experience to fill roles within the Complaints Investigation Committee (CIC). We value diversity and welcome applications from all equity deserving groups across Nova Scotia. Interested lawyers should contact jmullenger@nsbs.org.
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
The Safe at Work program offers victims of workplace sexual violence and harassment up to 4 hours of legal advice, paid by Legal Info NS. Lawyers across NS are needed to help continue this vital service. If you are an interested lawyer, see details to join the program.
NSBS Annual Meeting set for June 19, 2025
The Society’s Annual Meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ADT. Register for the meeting at the link provided here.
Register for Annual Meeting via Zoom
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. The registration deadline is June 17, 2025. If you have any questions or have any accessibility concerns, please contact us at info@nsbs.org.
Changes to Process for Annual Renewals, Monthly Plans, and Administrators
The process for annual renewals, monthly payments, and company administrators has changed this year, with the steps now occurring through our upgraded Member Portal. Everything you need can be found in Changes to 2025 – 2026 Annual Renewal Process, Monthly Payment Program, and Company Administrator Program.
NSBS Fee Increases Effective July 1, 2025
The Society will be implementing a Council-approved fee increase of $213 per practising licensee for the fee year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. This increase will enable the Society to remain effective in upholding and protecting the public interest in the practice of law.
Details at NSBS Fee Notice. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to us at communications@nsbs.org.
Disposal of Undistributed Trust Funds Deadline June 20
The next application for disposal of undistributed trust funds will be made in July, so submissions should be received at the Society’s offices no later than June 20, 2025. If you wish to make an application for the disposal of undistributed trust funds, please refer to our FAQ’s and Procedures.
Ruck Report Independent Implementation Lead
We are delighted to share that Janna Hines of Janna Allen Hines Consulting has been appointed as the Ruck Independent Implementation Lead. In this consulting role, Janna will collaborate with the NSBS Director of Equity & Access and the Ruck Implementation Taskforce to ensure implementation of the 21 recommendations contained in Regaining Trust: The Ruck Report: Systemic Discrimination in Nova Scotia’s Legal Community.
Indigenous, Black & Mi’kmaq Internship Pathway
Thanks to generous support from the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society successfully delivered the Indigenous, Black & Mi’kmaq (IB&M) Internship Pathway — an exciting new program that introduced high school students from across the province to the legal profession. This internship gave Black and Indigenous students an opportunity to connect directly with members of the legal community, including judges, lawyers, sheriffs, court staff, and current IB&M students at the Schulich School of Law.
Long Service Awards: Honouring 50 Years in Practice
On May 9, 2025, we were delighted to announce this year’s Long Service Award recipients, recognized for their 50 years in practice. Congratulations to the following 11 individuals:
- John Chandler, KC – John Chandler, Barrister & Solicitor
- David English – English Law Limited
- Michael Kuna – NS Legal Aid, Sydney Duty Counsel Office
- Guy LaFosse, KC – McInnes Cooper (formerly The Breton Law Group)
- Peter Landry – Landry, McGillivray (Retired)
- Douglas Livingstone – Casey Rodgers Chisholm Penny Duggan LLP
- Joseph Gregory MacDonald, KC – Patterson Law, New Glasgow
- Martin Pink, KC – Pink Star Barro
- Ronald Pink, KC – Pink Larkin
- Doug Shatford, KC – Creighton Shatford
- James Stonehouse – Burchell MacDougall LLP, Truro
Award for Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Peoples Excellence in the Legal Profession 2024: Jade Pictou
At the same awards ceremony on May 9, 2025, we honoured Jade Pictou as the 2024 recipient of the Society’s Award for Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Peoples Excellence in the Legal Profession (AMIE). The award was presented by last year’s AMIE winner, Heather McNeill. The AMIE recognizes outstanding Mi’kmaq and Indigenous lawyers within Nova Scotia who have contributed to their community, their Nation, the legal profession and the Society.
Distinguished Service Award: Erin O’Brien Edmonds
At the same awards ceremony on May 9, 2025, we honoured Erin O’Brien Edmonds KC,TEP is the recipient of the Society’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). Established in 1999, the DSA is presented to a member who has made significant contributions to their community, the legal profession, and the Society.
Practice Readiness Education Program: Fall 2025
The Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP), the Bar Admission course for Nova Scotia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba provides a Fall 2025 Accelerated PREP, for which registration opens August 5, 2025 and closes August 12, 2025. For information on how to register, visit Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education. More details on our Bar Admission Program page, or contact admin@cpled.ca.
At Large Council Election Acclamations
At the close of the NSBS At Large Council Election nomination period, the Society was pleased to have received nominations from three excellent candidates—Colin Fraser, Jasmine Ghosn, and Gregg Knudsen. As three At Large positions were vacant, they have been acclaimed as members of Council. Congratulations to Colin for returning to Council for a second term, and to Jasmine and Gregg for joining Council as new members.
King Charles III Coronation Medal: Aileen McGinty
Congratulations to Aileen K. McGinty, Senior Crown Attorney at the Dartmouth Wellness Court, for having been awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her significant contribution to mental health in Canada.
Missing Wills: April and May 2025
We offer an online form whereby members of the public may provide details relating to a family member’s Will, should they be unable to locate it. We have been advised of the following missing Wills for the 30-day periods ending April 15 and May 15, 2025.
Updated Mortgage Discharge Contact List
The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) has requested that the updated contact list for matters involving mortgage discharges be provided to lawyers in Nova Scotia.
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