President’s Message

The Society’s Annual General Meeting on June 17, 2023, marks the end of the current Council’s two-year mandate. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will also be our first in-person AGM since June 15, 2019. These past years have brought a number of changes to the way we practice law, and also shed light on important challenges facing legal regulators.

With the inevitable delays brought by the pandemic, Council decided to extend our strategic plan for a fourth year. The pandemic gave rise to new priorities we had not contemplated when our strategic goals were developed. Council has managed to successfully integrate those unanticipated objectives with the goals we identified in 2019. I am very proud of what this Council has accomplished during a time of uncertainty and change.

In September 2022, the Society welcomed our new CEO, Cheryl Hodder, K.C. As an experienced governance professional, Cheryl has skillfully taken the helm. Council immediately benefitted from Cheryl’s leadership and distinctive skillset as we focused on the priorities of our organization. With Cheryl’s arrival and the lifting of pandemic restrictions, we welcomed the opportunity for more engagement with the membership around the province. It was my pleasure to meet with many members outside of the HRM to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities of rural practice.

Council has continued in our efforts to address access to justice and support members in finding innovative ways to deliver legal services. I am pleased that the Society has moved forward with an Innovation Sandbox pilot project. This project will provide a controlled opportunity for our members to explore unconventional ways of assisting the public through new technologies or business models. Technological developments are bringing rapid changes to our profession and will undoubtedly present unique issues to be managed within our regulatory framework.

 The Rural Practice Working Group concluded its work this Spring, culminating in a report to Council with a number of recommendations. These recommendations will improve access to legal services in rural Nova Scotia and address the challenges and needs of lawyers serving that population. I am grateful to all the members of the working group and staff for their commitment and thorough report.

In the new year, Council approved amendments to the Code of Professional Conduct. The amendments relate to discrimination, harassment, and ex parte communication. The changes reflect amendments made by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to the Model Code of Conduct, which seeks to harmonize, as much as possible, the ethical and professional conduct standards for the legal profession in Canada. Resource material will be made available to the membership to assist in understanding their obligations with respect to these amendments.

 The strategic planning process has begun for the Society’s next plan. I am confident that work will continue on the themes we have been focused on for the last four years: supporting members; enhancing access to legal services and access to justice; and, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Through consultation with key stakeholders, Council will ensure that the most pressing issues and priorities are also addressed in the new plan.

 This year has brought into focus the urgent need to address mental health and wellness in the profession. In October 2022, the Phase I report from the National Study on the Health and Wellness Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada was released. The report contained some shocking statistics concerning the well-being of lawyers and other legal professionals. I recommend that all members review the executive summary and key recommendations.

It will be incumbent upon all of us to work to address this crisis and build a more welcoming profession. I remind you that the confidential services of the Lawyers Assistance Program are available to support you, your staff or your family if needed.

The Society awaits the report from Doug Ruck K.C. concerning his operational and regulatory review of systemic discrimination at the Society. The report will include recommendations to Council for improvements to the Society’s policies and processes. This report will have a lasting impact on the Society and the Implementation Task Force is ready to assist Council with this important work. 

At the AGM we will welcome five new Council members and say goodbye to others. I have learned so much from this Council as we embraced the challenges of the last few years. A special thanks to public representative, Michelle Ward, and David Hirtle, K.C. from the Southwestern District, who have both served on Council for six years. Your contributions will be long lasting.

Council’s five continuing public representatives will be joined by senior policy analyst, Micah MacIsaac, at the AGM. Our public representatives play a crucial role on Council, ensuring the public interest is paramount in our work, and I am grateful for their meaningful contributions over the last year.

I have learned a great deal during my time on Council, and year as President. I had the opportunity to work with a number of staff and have been consistently impressed with the skill, commitment and professionalism that they bring to their work.

This year presented many learning opportunities as we committed to ongoing training in diversity, equity and inclusion which Council members eagerly embraced. I share my gratitude to all Council members for their commitment to advancing our strategic goals and objectives while working to make Council more inclusive.

It has been my pleasure and honour to serve the Society as President for the 2022/2023 year. I am confident the Society is in great hands with the leadership that follows.

Thank you,