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Steps Underway to Improve LSA's Processes

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be a better regulator, acting in the public interest. The public has high expectations of lawyers and, as a regulator, we have to ensure that: we have a sound understanding of what expectations are reasonable; we are taking appropriate steps to assess whether those expectations are being met; and we are effectively keeping both lawyers and the public well informed about what we are doing.

Q. As the Law Society of Alberta works towards becoming a model regulator, what are some of the steps it needs to take?

When I think about the Law Society working towards becoming a model regulator, I see this as a state of mind or attitude within the institution that leads us to constantly look at what we are doing and ask ourselves whether we can and should do it better. This means we have to have a clear understanding of our mandate, use our resources effectively and never be complacent about what we are doing. When I consider the changes the Law Society has instituted in the past five years or so and the steps that are currently underway to improve the Law Society's processes, I feel very proud of what the staff and benchers have

accomplished and very confident that the Law Society is committed to becoming a model regulator.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in your term of president of the Law Society of Alberta?

There are a couple things that I am looking forward to this year. As it is the Law Society's 100th Anniversary, I am looking forward to celebrating this event with lawyers throughout Alberta during the many events that we have planned either on our own or with others, including the Gala event in October. I hope I have the chance to meet with lawyers in every part of the province to share our anniversary with them and to hear from them about how we are doing and what is on their minds. I am also looking forward to the public launching of Pro Bono Law Network, the Law Society's 100th Anniversary legacy project. The speed with which this initiative has been embraced and supported by key stakeholders and the work that has already been done lead me to believe that we will leave Albertans with a meaningful legacy, that will make an important contribution towards addressing some of the access to justice difficulties facing needy Albertans.

Rules Updated with Changes

The following are the recent changes made to the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta:
Please note the updates to the following:
Rule 47: Rule 47 (n) & (0) added to the interpretation and authority of the Territorial Mobility Agreement.
Rule 47.1: Amendments to the authority delegated to the Credentials & Education Committee.
Rule 50(2): Amendments to the Academic Requirements for Admission as a Student-At-Law.
Rule 61: Amended with changes to the CPLED program.
Rule 63(1): Clarification of rule on Supplemental Attempts.
Rule 66(4)(a): Amendment to Territorial Mobility Agreement.
The updated Rules are available on the LSA website here.

2007 Queen's Counsel Screening Process

Every two years, the Lieutenant Governor in Council appoints, as Queen's Counsel, lawyers who have made contributions to the legal profession or public life in Alberta.

The Law Society of Alberta will be assisting the Alberta Justice and Attorney General with the screening process this coming fall. The process is as follows:

To be eligible for a Queen's Counsel appointment, individuals must meet the requirements of the Queen's Counsel Act.
An individual may be nominated by a third party by letter. In this case, the individual will be sent an application form for completion.
Individuals can also apply to be considered for a Queen's Counsel appointment by completing the Queen's Counsel candidate data sheet. The Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information should be included with the application.
All nominations and applications, along with three letters of reference, should be sent no later than September 7, 2007 to: Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General, 2 Floor, Bowker Building, 9833-109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 2E8.

Queen's Counsel recipients will be announced on December 31, 2007.

Further information regarding the process and application forms are available from:

the Office of the Deputy Minister of Justice by contacting (780) 427-5032 or by fax at (780) 422-9639
the Law Society of Alberta at (403) 229-4700, 1-800-661-9003 or by fax (403) 228-1728
the Department of Justice website www.gov.ab.ca/just