A Year at the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch.

by Miriam Maisonville

What a year it has been. I have been deeply honoured to be the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch President. We are now at an all time high in our membership numbers in the post universality world. We have great Sections – and new ones continue to be created. Our Women Lawyers Forum is more active than ever with the possibility of new Chapters being created. What is incredible is the number of new friends I have made and the things I have learned.

One thing that is certain is I could not have enjoyed my year without the help of several people – starting with the unerring help, support and friendship of Caroline Nevin, our indefatigable Executive Director. It is no secret: we in B.C. know that our Executive Director is the best in Canada! Also our brilliant and gifted Executive, starting with James Bond, our incoming President from whom I expect great things, as he has already shown; Stephen McPhee our Secretary/Treasurer, unbelievably knowledgeable and engaged, who will make a great President; my fellow Executive Officers, Jennifer Spencer, our Equality Representative; Kerry Lynn Simmons, our Young Lawyer Representative; Executive Officers, Marina Morgan and Michael Dunn; and, until her appointment, the now Honourable Judge Susan Wishart. CBABC staff have been incredible – to each of you I owe thanks. Joanne Silver and I had several interesting CBABC road trips and I thank her for her sage counsel and support. The talent pool that we have at Judicial Council is, as well, incredible. Our Section leaders and Elected members are an incredible resource. And to Past President, Ken Walton, QC goes my greatest thanks for teaching me how to be a good President from the day I was elected Secretary/Treasurer. His unflagging encouragement and guidance enabled me to take on this role and it’s through his teachings that I saw the word mentor in action. I would also like to thank all the Past Presidents I have had the great honour and pleasure to serve with and try to emulate, including Justice Frits Verhoeven, QC and Meg Shaw, QC.

What have I learned? That we have so many incredibly talented committed lawyers in this province that I was amazed every day. Many modestly work behind the scenes but seek to avoid recognition. In my position at the CBABC, I came to know better the role of our Benchers and the incredibly hard work they devote to the profession – I came away from a year observing our Benchers in action with a better understanding of the hard work they do every day to ensure the public is served by the Law Society. The Judicial Council of British Columbia strive to ensure the best appointment process to the Provincial Court Bench is practised. At the CBABC itself we have lawyers happy to help out on everything from a review of legislation; meeting with a student or junior lawyer; writing a memo on a case; acting pro bono; and, helping each other. We also have people who advise and report on courses of action to take. All of these contributions make the CBABC a truly great association to be a part of. I would like to encourage all of you to take part. With the CBA it can be whatever you wish to make of it – there are national committees to serve, provincial or Section or conference and forum involvement. Frequently there are openings for appointments to outside bodies – at the next opportunity I urge you to consider putting your name in. What you will get back I can assure you will be far more than you put in.

To all of you I thank you – you are the CBABC.

This article was published in the August 2009 issue of BarTalk. © 2009 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.