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CPD Program Presentations Aim to Engage Lawyers
By Margaret Hollis,
Policy and Program Counsel, Law Society of Alberta Since the launch of the Continuing Professional Development Program in March 2008, over 1000 lawyers have attended one of the 24 LSA presentations. Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP of Calgary became the first firm to achieve 100% compliance with the new proposed rule. All 21 lawyers of the firm – including one who calls himself 'retired' and one on maternity leave – have made their CPD plans and made their declarations to the LSA. CPD Presentations: Presentations have been made to groups of lawyers at luncheons, CBA section meetings, the Alberta Law Conference, and the annual refresher course held by Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA). The video developed by Smile Productions and Calgary lawyer Allan Shewchuk, QC, is central to the presentations, and opens discussion among the participants about the need and value of the self-directed program. The video can be viewed at www.lawsociety.ab.caIf you are interested in having a presentation delivered at your firm or legal organization meeting, please contact Margaret Hollis, LSA Policy and Program Counsel at 1-800-661-9003 (toll free) or (403) 229-4774.  Continued on page 09
“I must say I was very impressed with this new LSA program. The CPD is based on lawyer-directed learning and is practical, useful, easy to use, not too onerous, and utilizes technologically advanced tools. Obviously one of the key ongoing messages to lawyers will need to be that what you get out of this program will depend on how much effort you put into using the tools.”
Jim Casey, QC
Field Law LLP, Edmonton | |
LSA represented on Pro Bono Law Alberta board
By Sheila Serup, Manager, Communications, Law Society of Alberta
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 A diverse perspective on the needs of Albertans has been brought to the Pro Bono Law Alberta board with the appointment of LSA representative Yvonne Stanford.
A lay bencher since her appointment in 2000, Yvonne Stanford brings extensive expertise in multi-cultural community agencies, human rights, and social action to the board. She was previously a YWCA Calgary director, and executive director with the south central region of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Her consulting experience includes human rights education with Oxfam Canada and board decision-making with Calgary Legal Guidance. She has consulted for the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association and Churchill Park Day Care Society. She was involved in the Convention on the Rights of the Child with Oxfam, and the State of Alberta's Children report with the committee on race relations. |
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“She has been effective in ensuring the LSA remains accountable to the public,” noted Janet Dixon, QC, LSA senior counsel, “and she continues to embody and keep the public interest before the LSA.”
Her volunteer work supported organizations such as the Coalition for Equal Access to Education, Dignity Foundation, Women's Centre of Calgary among others.
With the Law Society of Alberta, she has worked on many committees, including Conduct, Continuing Professional Development (currently vice-chair), Credentials and Education, Finance, and Equality, Equity and Diversity (she was chair in 2004), and Professional Responsibility among others.
“Her continued advocacy work on access to justice will contribute to the development of PBLA as a lasting legacy,” said Susan Billington, QC, acting PBLA executive director.
Bencher Rod Jerke continues in his role as the President of the Board, and Chair of the Advisory Board.  |
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Role of Lay Benchers in Governance
By Mona Duckett, QC, Past President (2006), Law Society of Alberta
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 A public perspective is brought to the governance of the Law Society of Alberta in the form of lay benchers.
In 1984, the Alberta Minister of Justice appointed two lay benchers. In 1991, the third lay bencher position was created, and a fourth lay bencher was appointed in 2002. Lay benchers are appointed for three-year, renewable terms. Lay benchers come from diverse, varied backgrounds such as social work, medicine, business, international sport, as well as different cultures, among others.
Lawyers are self-governing, and the participation of members of the public in the governance process through the voice of the lay benchers is an integral part of our ability |
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to carry out our mission of protecting the public interest.
Lay benchers represent the public at large. Lay benchers sit on various law society committees and ensure that the voice and concerns of the general public are heard, while ensuring that high professional standards for lawyers are maintained.
Jim Peacock, QC, LSA Past President (2007) notes that lay benchers bring a valuable public perspective to the Benchers as a whole. “Their perspective is invaluable to the work performed by the Benchers, as they bring a public consciousness to core Law Society responsibilities such as discipline, conduct and education. They constantly remind us of the need to act in the public interest.”
The government-appointed lay benchers have all the responsibilities and duties of elected benchers, including active participation in the decision-making and disciplinary processes of the Law Society. | |
