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CBA New Brunswick Recognizes New Brunswick Lawyers for Contributions
Saint John – At its MidWinter Meeting the New Brunswick Branch of the Canadian Bar Association recognized the outstanding contributions of two provincial lawyers who have worked selflessly to improve the lives of New Brunswickers.
The two individuals who received the awards on February 8th are retired Fredericton lawyer Charles Ferris, and Robert Charman, a sole practitioner from Moncton who has provided significant assistance to women in crisis at the YWCA Family Law Advice Clinic.
In presenting its Distinguished Service Award to Charles Ferris, the Canadian Bar Association recognizes his contributions to the development of the laws in the province. Through his work in the area of human rights law reform, or working with New Brunswickers in his former capacity as legal counsel to the New Brunswick Ombudsman, Charles Ferris has had a significant impact on the law in the province. In addition, as a former Chancellor of the Diocese of Fredericton and as a Lay Canon of the Church of England, he contributed greatly to the development of ecclesiastical law, practice and procedure.
CBA Branch President Jade Spalding praised Ferris as a “model, mentor and example of a lawyer committed to his profession, committed to public service and dedicated to the goals of integrity, competence and quality of service that are the hallmarks of our profession”.
The CBA-NB Pro Bono Award recognizes outstanding pro bono legal services to the community by a lawyer in New Brunswick.
The award will be presented to Robert Charman for his generous contribution of legal services to people in need, particularly through his involvement with the Moncton YWCA.
CBA (New Brunswick) President Jade Spalding highlighted “his courteous manner and generosity. His service to his clients reflects well upon the legal profession and those who seek to provide legal services to the community in which they live”.
The YWCA of Moncton began its free Family Law Advice Clinic in 1994. The weekly Clinic was developed in response to the need in the community for free legal advice in matters of family law. As a founding volunteer, Robert Charman helped to develop procedures and policy and was instrumental in solidifying the success of the clinic. He has volunteered on a regular basis over the last fourteen years.
The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, notaries, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members. There are 1700 members in New Brunswick.
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