From the President: Rewards Offset Challenges of Being a Bencher

by Jim Peacock, QC, President, Law Society of Alberta

Jim Peacock, QC
President, Law Society of Alberta

In this Issue

2008 marks the 101st year of the Law Society of Alberta. There will not be any pins, stamps, galas or other events to mark the occasion – rather, the staff and benchers of the Law Society will carry on without celebration to ensure that the Law Society fulfills its mission to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession.

In 2007, we lost two benchers to the bench; Michelle Crighton, Q.C. was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and Vaughn Myers, Q.C. was appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta. They were replaced, respectively, by Donna Valgardson, Q.C. and Roy Nickerson. Just recently, Donna Valgardson was appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta. She will be replaced by Shirish Chotalia.

My term as President and as a bencher will end on February 7, 2008. I will be replaced by Larry McConnell, Q.C., who practises in Whitecourt and who was

previously a bencher from 2004 to 2006. I have enjoyed my bencher experience. It was interesting, challenging and taught me a great deal. I feel very privileged to have served as President during the Law Society of Alberta's 100th anniversary.

There will be bencher elections in 2008. If you are thinking about running and believe you have something to contribute, I encourage you to put your name forward. The mandate of the Law Society is to act in the public interest in the regulation of the legal profession. This is a serious task, but it is also one that will expose you to many interesting new facets of the legal profession and provide you with the opportunity to contribute to the governance of your profession in a meaningful way. While the demands of service can be significant from time to time, the experience will be a rich and rewarding one.

Demand vs Supply Imbalance Results in Perception of an Unjust and Unfair System

By Don Thompson, QC, Executive Director, Law Society of Alberta

According to a study by the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice, the demand for legal services is outstripping the current capacity of the legal profession, resulting in the perception that the legal system is unfair and unjust.

There is an unmet need for legal services. The conclusion in one paper by the Forum is that, over three years, 45% of the population will experience a

justiciable problem that is difficult to solve. When the problem remains unresolved, people conclude the system is unfair. And the unresolved problems frequently get worse.

At the 2nd annual Pro Bono Law Alberta roundtable in Calgary November 2007, consultant Merrill Cooper

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