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President and President-Elect elected for Law Society of Alberta

The Law Society of Alberta is pleased to announce the election of Jim Peacock, QC as president and Perry Mack, QC as president-elect.

Jim Peacock, QC is a partner at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in Calgary, Alberta. He conducts a civil litigation practice with particular emphasis on medical malpractice, professional and product liability and corporate and commercial disputes.

In 1976, Jim Peacock completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University. He graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Civil Laws (BCL) degree in 1979 and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1980. He was called to the Alberta Bar in 1981.

Mr. Peacock has been a Bencher of the Law Society since 2001 and has chaired the Conduct, Finance and Credentials & Education committees. As well, Mr. Peacock is a director of the Alberta Law Reform Institute, and member of the Calgary Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Defence Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel and an associate member of the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers' Association.

Perry Mack, QC is a partner with the firm Machida Mack Shewchuk Meagher LLP in Calgary, Alberta. He was called to the Alberta bar in 1983 and became a Law Society bencher in 2002.

Law Society Committed to Becoming a Model Regulator

by Sheila Serup, Director Communications, Law Society of Alberta

Law Society of Alberta president Jim Peacock, QC took a few moments to answer these questions for the Advisory, and to reflect on the development of the new Pro Bono Law Alberta network.

In addition to his roles and responsibilities with the Law Society, Mr. Peacock was recognized recently for his 25-year volunteer commitment to Calgary Legal Guidance. He has been a past director for Calgary Legal Guidance, past chair of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Learning Centre, and past director of the Calgary Habitat for Humanity Society.

Q. What areas will you focus on as President of the Law Society of Alberta?

My focus this year is twofold: First, I would like to see us complete a number of initiatives that are currently underway to improve our complaint

Jim Peacock

and investigation and assurance fund processes, which should make them more effective, efficient and transparent. Secondly, I hope that we can use the occasion of the Law Society's 100th Anniversary to highlight in the minds of the public the important role that lawyers have played and continue to play in the growth and development of Alberta.

Q. What are some of the challenges facing the Law Society of Alberta this year?

The challenges the Law Society faces this year are much the same as it faces every year, in the sense that we are always looking at ways that we can

Excellence in Legal Profession Celebrated

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He has also volunteered extensively with Habitat for Humanity. Brian is currently a partner with Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, leading the Insolvency Law Team focused on banking, insolvency and bankruptcy.

Sandra Schulz, QC has touched many lives in her career as a chartered mediator. She is currently working as a Mediation Program Advisor and Coordinator for the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta Civil Mediation Project, among her other professional endeavours. She earned her Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1982 and is now a Master's Candidate at York University. Sandra is also now a Sessional Lecturer in the Faculty of Law

at the University of Alberta in Dispute Resolution and Sole Practitioner in Mediation, Arbitration and Facilitation.

Ronald Hopp's career is marked by an unwavering dedication to give back to the community. Since 1976, he has provided endless hours of pro bono legal service to Student Legal Services of Edmonton, routinely working 30 hours a month of unpaid time. Ronald is now a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law. His teaching career spans four decades with the U of A after obtaining his law degree in 1971 and admittance to the Alberta Bar the following year.