DUBLIN, IRELAND – Fran Hodgkins, Sections Coordinator of the Canadian Bar Association-British Columbia (CBA-BC), has been named the winner of the 2009 CBA Jack Innes Achievement Award, an award that recognizes a staff member’s exceptional contribution to the association. The CBA received an overwhelming number of letters in support of Fran Hodgkin’s nomination.

“Fran Hodgkins exemplifies the very best of the CBA, delivering phenomenal service to CBA members with unfailing kindness, good humour, and professional regard for others,” said John Hoyles, CBA CEO, in granting this year’s award. “As an employee of the CBA for the past quarter of a century, Fran has given diligent and passionately loyal service while creating an innovative infrastructure for BC’s 72 Sections and the Women Lawyers Forum.”

Under Fran Hodgkins' stewardship, CBA-BC has grown its Sections to be the most numerous, with an impressive 72 Sections. They are very active with a record-setting enrollment of over 4,000, and financially successful. Fran has been called the face of the CBA in BC and will be missed by many when she retires later this year.

“Fran has been instrumental in organizing and supporting the Sections. Many a Section chair credits his or her success to Fran,” said Miriam Maisonville, president of CBA-BC. “She has not only overseen their growth, but has also contributed to the implementation and effective use of technology to ensure Sections remain a vital and relevant offering to CBA members in BC.”

The Jack Innes Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the Canadian Bar Association by a current staff member who has exhibited creativity, innovation, leadership and commitment. Jack Innes was National Treasurer of the CBA from 2002 to 2007. The award, which takes the form of a $1,000 cash prize and engraved plaque, will be presented at the CBA 2009 Canadian Legal Conference in Dublin, Ireland.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.

Acceptance Speech
"Thank you Robert for this esteemed staff achievement award in the name of Jack Innes. I am truly humbled and grateful to receive this honour. I want to thank my respected colleague, CBABC Branch Executive Director, Caroline Nevin, who nominated me and the many lawyers and CBA staff who supported my nomination. The reason I am so humbled and have agreed to come to Dublin to receive this award is that there are approximately 165 people (CBA staff) just like me who come to work every day, do their job and ultimately make a difference in the lives of Canadian Bar Association members. It is on their behalf that I accept and thank you for this great honour. I want to also say, It has been my privilege to work for such a prestigious organization these past 25 years." - Fran Hodgkins

Photo: Guy Joubert, CBA 2008/2009 President, Fran Hodgkins, CBABC Sections Coordinator and Robert Patzelt, QC, CCCA Past President

[posted August 24, 2009]