SR Vol 27 No 3, July 2009 - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

the
president’s
view
This is my first chance to communicate with you as president
of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. I am humbled by the
opportunity and look forward to an interesting year ahead.
A bit of my background: I was admitted to the Bar in 1974 and
joined Patterson, Smith, Matthews & Grant (predecessor to
Patterson Law) in Truro. I started out in litigation but within two
years, made the shift to our real estate group and my practice
has had a focus in real estate ever since.
My wife Valerie is from Sydney and we have four children: Ian,
26, Tracey, who would be 24 (she passed away a number of years
ago), Erin, 20, and John, 16. We live in the beautiful community
of Tatamagouche.
The thought of running for president was the farthest thing from
my mind when I was approached by the three previous presidents,
Phil Star, Cathy Walker and Joel Pink. The pitch: it takes a lot of
time but it is very rewarding working with a great group of fellow
Council and committee members and an exceptional staff to
improve our profession. Their statements could not have been
more accurate.
This being an election year, I want to thank those Council
members who completed their terms for giving so unselfishly
of their time. I also welcome the returning and newly elected
members and look forward to working with you, as we tackle
together the issues facing the regulation of the legal profession.
Over the past three years, Council made a considerable effort
to develop a governance framework that improves the way it
functions in regulating the practice of law in the public interest.
We have established our vision, values, strategic directions,
12-month activity plan and governance policies that define how
we operate as a Society. Last year, a task force looked at Council’s
composition and subject to government approval of changes to
the Legal Profession Act, in the 2011 election year, Council will
reduce from 35 to 21 members. This year, a new task force will
review our committee structure.
While the list of other priorities is long, here are a few initiatives
under our approved Strategic Directions:
(1) Enhancing lawyer competence: The Society will determine
its proper role in assessing lawyers’ continuing competence
and ensuring they understand their own requirements.
(2) Access to justice: Through continuing and improved
dialogue with government, there is a process to address
broad issues of access to justice for Nova Scotians.
(3) Effective governance: The Society ensures effective
communications and liaison with relevant stakeholders,
such as the CBA, AJEFNE, LIANS and other organizations
and communities relating to the administration of justice
and governance of the legal profession.
(4) Impact on the administration of justice: The Society
enhances member and public communications and ensures
its role with government is appropriate to the Society’s
purpose.
This edition of the Society Record focuses on “youth.” We held
our May Council meeting at Auburn Drive High School, in a
tremendous opportunity to meet with students and hear their
concerns related to the legal profession and justice system. The
ability and interest of these young people was an inspiration
to Council. The Society also offers “UnCommon Law,” which
brings together youth, judges, police officers, social workers and
lawyers in an annual forum for dialogue and exchanging ideas.
These opportunities to connect with the leaders of tomorrow are
invaluable to the Society as we shape the future direction of the
regulation of the legal profession.
In closing, I want to encourage two-way communication with
our members, whether through meetings with County Bar
Associations, larger firms or questions raised by you. I encourage
anyone to contact me through the Society office. I will do my best
to react appropriately to your concerns.
Ron Creighton QC
President
July 2009 5