From the President

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

This spring issue of the Advisory presents a wonderful opportunity to read about four Distinguished Service Award winners and their contributions to the legal profession, how the Law Society is working towards becoming a model regulator, the spirited discussion on access to justice that took place at the Law Society's plenary session, and the Law Society's successful intervention in a recent privilege issue.

In this Issue

Excellence in Legal Profession Celebrated

by Sheila Serup, Director Communications, Law Society of Alberta

For volunteering to do pro bono work in the Edmonton community, addressing homeless-ness in Calgary, contributing to the importance of mediation in the legal profession, and advancing legal academic knowledge, four lawyers were recognized for dist-inguished service during the Alberta Law Conference.

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Ronald G. Hopp (left) for distinguished pro bono legal services, Brian P. O'Leary, QC (centre) for distinguished service to the community, and Nicholas Rafferty (right) for distinguished service in legal scholarship. Awards were presented at the Alberta Law Conference in Edmonton March 16, 2007.

Law Society of Alberta president-elect Perry Mack, QC and Canadian Bar Association Alberta president Scott A. Watson presented Distinguished Service Awards to:

Nicholas Rafferty for Legal Scholarship
Brian P. O'Leary, QC for Service to the Community
Sandra L. Schulz, QC for Service to the Profession
Ronald G. Hopp for Pro Bono Legal Service

These awards, which celebrate excellence in the legal profession, were awarded jointly by the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association in Edmonton.

Nicholas Rafferty's contributions to the legal and academic fields have spanned more than 30 years. He is known as an instrumental practitioner, educator and mentor who has advanced the stature of

the legal profession through his many roles in teaching across the legal industry. He is currently a Professor with the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary and has contributed significantly to the Alberta legal community, most notably in the area of contract law.

Brian O'Leary, QC has given over 31 years of service to his community, including his extensive work with the homeless population in Calgary. He was elected director of the Calgary Homeless Foundation in 2001 before becoming Founding Chairman of the Calgary Community Land Trust Society. By 2006, Brian was elected Chairman of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and partnered with the United Way to create a new strategy to end homelessness in Calgary, resulting in the formation of the Committee to End Homelessness.

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