Bencher Election Statement

Access + Transparency = True Accountability:  I sense a fundamental disconnect between the Law Society and many in the profession, particularly younger lawyers.  At Convocation, we make vital decisions that affect members across the profession.  In spite of this reality, less than 30% of our members vote in Bencher elections, and even fewer follow or understand our work.  Paradoxically, while open to the public, Convocation has no public gallery.  There is simply no physical room in the historic Convocation Boardroom for a soul beyond Benchers and staff.  Social media and webcasting are important tools to give the general membership opportunities for input and engagement.  A logical next step in the 21st century is to webcast the public portions of our proceedings.  It is time to open Convocation's doors.

Regulation with a Conscience:

While the Law Society's statutory mandate is to regulate the profession in the public interest,the question arises as to what the public interest encompasses.  Among other imperatives, I say that this must mean "regulation with a conscience". While the Law Society has evinced a commitment to ideals of equity and access to justice through the establishment of the Equity and Aboriginal Issues and the Access to Justice Committees, we lack the infrastructure to actually deliver on these ideals  on the ground.  I am anxious to participate in making these structural changes a reality.

Support for Our Colleagues: The Law Society and LawPro need to commit resources to providing real supports for sole and small firm practitioners who do not have access to the kind of guidance to be found in larger settings.  The 2010 Ornstein Law Society Report amply demonstrates that supports in these sectors raise important racial and gender issues within the profession that must be tackled head on.  I have endeavoured to make many of these issues my life's work.  Since becoming a Bencher I have developed a formal mentoring proposal that is directed at the creation of a paid panel of mentors to advise sole and small firm practitioners of all backgrounds who face claim and discipline issues.  Given the very substantial increase in payouts in recent years on LawPro claims relating to sole and small firms, there is a compelling business case for such a program. I believe that the same can be inferred on the regulatory side.

Furthermore, while Law Society medals should recognize the dedication of those lawyers whose practices suffer due to their work for disadvantaged communities, there needs to be more.  In my view reductions in fees and insurance premiums for these lawyers is a good start.

Small Firm Lawyer with Big Ideas:   I grew up in a small town in Quebec and went to law school at the University of Alberta.  The label "Toronto lawyer" is accurate but fails to capture who I am.  Sole and small firms make up the majority of lawyers in the province and yet too often the Law Society is perceived as being weighted towards the larger and more established firms in major city centres.  My trial practice takes me to courthouses throughout Ontario, allowing me to appreciate the important regional distinctions that must be taken into account when regulating in respect of the entire profession. 

To govern effectively as a Bencher, it is important to transcend those issues that divide the profession and search for common goals and interests with a view to uniting us as advocates and solicitors.  Ours is a wonderful profession and it is an honour to participate in its governance.