On Being President
by Kenneth Walton

Being President is like a practicum, a year of true learning; in my case, 36 years after I was last a Law Student. In all sincerity it has been a wonderful experience. The reasons: one sees all aspects of our great profession.

Some of you who read this will be future Presidents of this Branch. So here in 2008 is what the experience was like:

First, your member lawyers are in the thousands; 6,200 and growing. These are the people whose diverse interests you try and put first. This is done at a macro level by trying to promote practical initiatives such as decreasing high tuition fees and pension reform; having RRSPs protected from creditor seizure so that we, the self employed, are on an equal footing with the organizationally employed.

As President you promote the interests of all by maintaining good relations with the Attorney General, the courts, The Law Society and the law schools. The challenge, as leader, is that not all actions of these groups necessarily coincide with the interests of your constituents.

It is fascinating to attend Bencher’s meetings and see the way our profession’s self-governance works. It gives you a new appreciation of how imperative it is to preserve the rule of law. Taking a few hours of continuing legal education is a small price for staying this way.

The job also requires you to sit on Judicial Council, the venue which selects Provincial Court judges and other judicial officers, and has responsibility for education and discipline. Again it’s all about the rule of law. Who will best serve in this important court? Who will be able to have compassion and understanding for our fellow citizens while at the same time having the gumption to punish if that is what is called for?

You get to greet new appointees to all levels of the judiciary. In order to speak knowledgeably of the new judge, you must research the background of the appointee. Most are terrifically accomplished people in whom the public trust is in good hands.

Regularly, the President meets local Bar representatives; annually the Attorney, and frequently the Chief Justices and Chief Judge at a variety of functions like Law Week. You also sit as the CBABC voice on the Queen’s Counsel Selection Committee.

Perhaps surprisingly, the best way to prepare for this job is to become a member of a reasonably sized Board of a community organization. In my case, it was many committees; a church council, the YM/YWCA, Goodwill Enterprises, Oak Bay Lodge, Kinsmen, and Rotary at a variety of levels.

Board decisions are made sometimes through compromise, and often because, after examination of various points of view, the logic of the answer becomes apparent. The majority of time, the wisdom of the collective which results is the best answer regardless of one’s personal view.

The best preparation I ever had for this job was joining Kinsmen which taught meeting procedure. It was a great school for leadership.

I have loved every minute of being President. It’s such fun. I thank you for the opportunity. I regret nothing about anything I have done in this office. We have a great profession. You should be proud to be a member.

I wish you success in your practice and personal life.

This article was published in the June 2008 issue of BarTalk. © 2008 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.