2022 Annual Report
Reports, Awards & 2021 Meeting Minutes
Public Representatives Report
Bryan Darrell, Carole Lee Reinhardt, Michelle Ward
As the regulator of Nova Scotia’s legal profession, the Society exists to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law. It takes a community of lawyers to ensure a healthy and sustainable society, but it also takes Public Representatives to ensure public interest is well served.
Around 500 BC the Greek philosopher Heraclitus proclaimed that the only thing consistent in life is change. This is much more impressive in ancient Greek as opposed the current translation however 2500 yeas later we are still amazed at the accuracy of this statement. The role of Public Representatives on the Society’s Council has provided the incumbents with ample opportunity to witness and to be part of transformational change.
In the past few years’ diversity has taken on an important role at the Society that is much more dynamic than previous generations would comprehend. Never has the issue of transparency and public accountability been more critical in a regulatory body. Organizational relevancy requires transformation and change, which is a process where beliefs, values and assumptions are challenged through debate and discussion. In this process, views and thoughts are shared and beliefs and assumptions are challenged.
The struggles at the Council table have been very public and have not always been shared with an accurate narrative. However, it has drawn public attention to the important issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. Council’s struggles demonstrate that these conversations are not easy but are so important in a truly transformational process. In addition, the opportunity of having a member of the L’nu (Mi’kmaq) community lead the Society has led us the think about the concept of us all being treaty people in a way that one would not have believed a few years ago. These changes have forced members of the Bar to examine the performance of the profession but also whether we would pass the test of compliance. For this process to be effective, the widest range of diversity of thought is required.
It was an exciting year, and through our key role as Public Representatives, we have brought our professional skills and expertise, personal attributes and lived experiences to the governance of the Society. We will continue to ensure that the public voice is always heard as we recognize the importance we play in upholding and protecting the public interest in the practice of law.
2021-22 NSBS Public Representatives
Bryan Darrell
Carole Lee Reinhartdt
Michelle Ward
Deepak Prasad
Kothai Kumanan
2021-22 Awards
2021 Distinguished Service Award
Malcolm Jeffcock QC
Malcolm Jeffcock QC was the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
Established in 1999, this award is presented to a member who has made significant contributions to their community, the legal profession and to the Society.
We typically present this award and honour the recipient along with 50-year practitioners at our annual Recognition Reception. We did not hold this reception in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
About Malcolm Jeffcock QC
Malcolm Jeffcock QC was born in Cornwall, Ontario. He was called to the NS Bar in 1981 after earning his Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1977 and his Bachelor of Law in 1981 from Dalhousie University. He was also called to the British Columbia Bar in 2011 and remains a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Malcolm is a sole practitioner based in Truro who represents clients from across Atlantic Canada. Most of his career was with legal aid including NS and BC Legal Aid and his 40-year practice has primarily focused on criminal law and mental health law. He has appeared in front of the NS Provincial Court, NS Supreme Court, the NS Court of Appeal, the NS Criminal Code Review Board, the NS Review Board convened pursuant to the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act and the Supreme Court of Canada.
In 2005, Malcolm received his Queen’s Counsel (QC) designation. He also accepted an appointment in 2013 as a per diem Crown Attorney.
Malcolm has dedicated his time, leadership and skills to the Society and the legal profession throughout his career. He has mentored many colleagues and he is frequently engaged by the Society to act on our behalf in receiverships. He has served for many years as a member and Chair on various Society committees and currently serves as a dedicated member of the Code of Professional Conduct Committee – Ethics and Professional Standards (Criminal) Committee.
He has been a CBA member and was previously the chairman of Criminal Justice Section, Nova Scotia Branch Canadian Bar; a member of the Police Review Board Nova Scotia, a founding and member of the NS Roundtable Committee on the Criminalization of the Mentally Ill and NS Mental Health (Wellness) Court Planning & Implementation Committee (2008-11), a current member of the Provincial Wellness Court Steering Committee as well as the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
Malcolm is a regular lecturer, and he has presented for the Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice, NSBS, CBA, NS Criminal Lawyers’ Association, the Canadian Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Capital District Health Authority Association of Social Workers’, Capital District Health Ethics & Education Committee, Lake City Industries, St. Mary’s University and more.
As an active community member, Malcolm volunteers extensively and he has dedicated his time to organizations including the Executive, Truro Golf Club, Truro and Area Minor Hockey Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters Colchester County, Colchester and District Soccer Association, the Regional Steering Committee Options for Youth, Colchester County, and the NS Committee Coordinating Community Agency Response to Family Violence. He is also an active vintage car enthusiast and a member of the British Automobile Touring Association.
Malcolm is also an active volunteer in amateur sport. He is a certified hockey coach, a qualified Ajax Football (soccer) youth coach, a baseball coach and he has acquired over 25 years of experience as an active hockey referee.
“As chair of the Society’s Distinguished Service Award committee, I am delighted to see Malcolm recognized with this award for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the profession, the Society and his community. Malcolm is a leader in every respect, and he is most worthy of this recognition. He is a person to whom all members of the profession can look for inspiration.” ”
2022 NSBS President’s Leadership Award
Shaniqwa Thomas
A special congratulations to the 2022 recipient of the NSBS President’s Leadership Award Shaniqwa Thomas!
The NSBS President’s Leadership Award emphasizes the importance of leadership in a lawyer’s career and honours the exemplary volunteer commitment and leadership of Past Presidents to the work of the Society.
Established by Past Presidents Philip J. Star QC and Catherine S. Walker QC, the award is presented each year at the Schulich School of Law to a graduating student who, in the eyes of the teaching faculty, has “exemplified consistent leadership qualities while at law school.”
“I was raised to “lift as I climb”, it’s an honour to receive and be recognized for this award! I will continue to forge a path for those to come behind me by advocating for racial justice and law reform.”
2022 Race & the Law Essay Prize
Michael Michel
We would like to congratulate our 2022 Race and the Law Essay Prize recipient, Michael Michel, for his paper, “Indigenous Self-Government and Criminal Law: The Path Towards Concurrent Jurisdiction in Canada.”
This award recognizes and encourages outstanding scholarship by law students in Nova Scotia, on topics pertaining specifically to issues of race and law. The Society’s Racial Equity Committee presents the award and Stewart McKelvey sponsors the award.
The Society’s Racial Equity Committee would also like to congratulate three other finalists on their submissions:
Colin Smith: “A Little Privacy Please? How Privacy Legislation in Nova Scotia Negatively Affects ANS Students”
Ashley Murty: “Members of the Jury Panel, Let me Instruct You: Don’t Be a Racist”
Kiera Lewis: “The Role of the Doctrine of Discovery and Terra Nullius in Environmental Racism in Indigenous Communities”
“I am honoured to be this year’s recipient of the NSBS Race and the Law Essay Prize. For nearly 40 years, academics and politicians have sought to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system. Unfortunately, this is a crisis that shows no sign of improving. I am happy to contribute to the ongoing discussion on this issue, and hope this work can assist Indigenous communities, members of the legal community, and policy makers on our path towards reconciliation.”
2022 Monitoring Reports
These monitoring reports, provided to the Society’s Council & included in Council Meeting Packages, provide an overview of the responsibilities & work of the Education & Credentials, Equity & Access and Professional Responsibility departments.
Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Annual Report
The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia was established in 1976 by amendment to the Barristers and Solicitors Act (now the Legal Profession Act. 2004, c. 28, s. 1.). Its central purpose is to receive and distribute interest earned on lawyers’ pooled trust accounts in accordance with its mandate. It is the only foundation in Nova Scotia devoted solely to community law related initiatives and legal education.
The objects of the Law Foundation are “to establish and maintain a fund to be used for the examination, research, revision and reform of and public access to the law, legal education, the administration of justice in the Province and other purposes incidental or conducive to or consequential upon the attainment of any such objects.”
2021 Annual Meeting Minutes
The 2021 Annual Meeting minutes will be approved at the 2022 Annual Meeting.