NSBS Council is pleased to report it has accepted the Nominating Committee’s recommendations to appoint Michelle Kelly, KC as First Vice-President of the Society, and to nominate Candee McCarthy as Second Vice-President of the Society—both for the 2024-2025 Council year.
A special meeting of Council was held on the evening of September 11, 2024, to discuss the two Executive Council vacancies for the 2024-2025 term.
Michelle Kelly, KC served two terms on Council and is currently Co-Chair of the Society’s Gender Equity Committee. She has served on various boards and is a partner at Cox & Palmer in Halifax, where she has served many roles as a management leader. Michelle just finished her term as Chair of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Advocates Society, and in February 2024 was inducted into the Fellowship of American Trial lawyers.
“Michelle is one of the best qualified First Vice-Presidents the Society has had, and we have had many great leaders. Her experience, accolades, and outstanding reputation speak volumes,” said NSBS President Morgan Manzer.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle on Council and the Gender Equity Committee. I know first-hand that she is a problem-solver, consensus-builder, and a highly effective leader. Her appointment is fantastic news for the Society.”
Current Executive Council roles were vacated after previous incoming President Andrew Nickerson resigned—moving First Vice-President Morgan Manzer into the President’s role—and incoming Second Vice-President Shannon Mason was appointed to the Court.
Candee McCarthy has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer. She served two terms on Council, was Co-Chair of the Society’s Gender Equity Committee, served on the Rural Practice Working Group and currently sits on the Law Office Management Standards Committee. Candee has substantial board experience, including serving on boards that promote EDIA interests. She also has experience with Legal Aid and small to mid-sized law firms. She currently runs her own firm with three associates.
“Candee’s knowledge of the Society’s mandate and governance structures, combined with her two terms on Council, committee experience, substantial board experience, and admirable personal attributes make her an excellent Second Vice-President nominee,” said Manzer.
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT NOMINATIONS OPEN
The nomination of Candee McCarthy as Second Vice-President prompts a call for any additional nominations further to NSBS Regulations. If no further nominations are received by September 27, 2024, Candee will be acclaimed as Second Vice-President.
In making its nomination, Council seeks integrity, respect for others, leadership experience, communication skills, strategic thinking, and consensus building. The Society strives for diversity of leadership with respect to personal characteristics, area of practice, and geographic location.
The Second Vice-President holds a key position in governance and subsequently becomes the Society’s First Vice-President, then President.
Additional practising lawyers from outside HRM may be nominated for Second Vice-President until Friday, September 27, 2024, by:
- Completing the Nomination Form.
- Submitting the completed Nomination Form to elections@nsbs.org
Questions? Please contact the Society at elections@nsbs.org.