Vivene Salmon, assistant Vice-President, Compliance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, was acclaimed CBA Vice-President for the 2018-2019 year. We asked her six important questions to get to know more about her background and her vision for the CBA.
- How long have you been involved in the CBA, and in what roles? Initially, I did not know a lot about the CBA or the OBA. In 2010, a lawyer recruited me to join the OBA YLD section, which sparked my growing involvement in the CBA and OBA over the years. Since then I have been actively involved in the CBA and the OBA in various roles and committees, including International Law, Business, CCCA, Challenges Faced By Racialized Licensees Working Group, Young Lawyers and the Mentorship Program. As well, I have been involved in Council, OBA Governance Committee and the OBA Board. All of these roles have been extremely rewarding. I have felt connected to the legal profession, increased my awareness about issues facing the legal profession and learned many news skills by taking on various leadership roles.
- What led you to putting your name forward for VP? I want to see lawyers renew their relationship with the CBA. I feel I have gained so much on a personal and professional front through my active participation in both the CBA and OBA. I want to see other lawyers feel that the CBA is a home – a safe place where they can develop their leadership skills, grow as a lawyer, be engaged in and advocate for the legal profession.
- What unique experience do you bring to the role? I bring expertise from having worked in both the private and public sectors. I also began my professional career outside the legal profession in the Communications field. I think this gives one a greater understanding and appreciation of the unique skills and attributes of each individual and how different organizations function and fit together in the broader community. It fosters an ability to see how your puzzle piece fits into the bigger picture.
- What changes or opportunities are you seeing at the CBA that excite you the most? I think in recent years there has been a lot of very hard work undertaken across the country to revitalize the CBA for future generations of lawyers. I am excited to be part of this continued change and renewal.
- What do you think will be the big issues facing the legal profession in the next few years? There are many important issues the legal profession has struggled with for some time, like articling, diversity, access to justice, Aboriginal & Indigenous affairs, business structure & entity regulation, and Mental Health. I also believe that technology, the increasing sophistication of clients, the rise of non-lawyers potentially providing legal services and theincreasing pressure of the billable fee model will all continue to exert pressure on the Canadian legal market. Many of these issues have been highlighted in the important work the CBA has undertaken through the Futures Initiative.
- Last year there was lots of talk about diversity in the profession. Why is it so difficult to meaningfully address diversity in the legal profession and what, in your opinion, needs to be done? I think increasing public awareness of diversity and equality in the legal profession is so important. The growing public understanding and awareness we have seen in more recent years across the country is so positive. It means that progress continues to be made. It is critical that the voices of and work of all people are heard, valued and respected in a democratic society. These are the values we uphold as a country and as a profession. We cannot afford that they be undermined. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams and be their best self.
Read Vivene's Profile