As Chair of the Section for the 2023/2024 term, I wish to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all our members, both new and existing who work in government or public sector agencies across the country. The exceptional individuals joining me on the Executive this year are Melissa N. Burkett (Vice-Chair), Will S. Randall II (Secretary) and Nicole Pfeifer (Past Chair).
The Section is a thriving platform for professional growth and knowledge exchange which:
- Serves as the national voice for public sector lawyers in Canada;
- Advocates for policies benefitting our members;
- Promotes professionalism and provides the means to network and connect with other public sector lawyers to exchange valuable ideas and information on common issues;
- Provides complimentary programming with your CBA and Section membership, designed for the unique needs of public sector lawyers through our Brown Bag lunch time series led by distinguished experts and practitioners;
- Recognizes and celebrates excellence within the public sector through the annual awarding of the CBA John Tait Award of Excellence.
Mark your calendars for October 25, 2023, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm ET, where we will be presenting the Section’s first Brown Bag of the year: Electronic Discovery in the Public Sector: Tips and Strategies for Enhancing Legal Outcomes and Mitigating Risks. Listen to a panel of experts with significant public sector eDiscovery experience, formerly with the Governments of Canada, Alberta and Ontario as they share their insights to effectively adapt to evolving technology and optimize data management within the government setting.
Stay informed about future Brown Bags, upcoming events and initiatives through our email blasts, Section webpage and LinkedIn Group.
Thank you for your membership in this vibrant Section. Your suggestions, feedback and ideas are key to shaping our initiatives for this year and beyond so please take a moment to fill out the ThoughtExchange Survey by October 31, 2023. Lastly, do not forget to check out our upcoming Section initiatives, the CBA John Tait Award of Excellence nomination and Brown Bags!
Electronic Discovery in the Public Sector: Tips and Strategies for Enhancing Legal Outcomes and Mitigating Risks – October 25, 2023
Public sector lawyers face unique challenges within the electronic discovery (eDiscovery) domain. These challenges are shaped by the intricacies of their administrative structures, the procurement of necessary technology, resource limitations, and strict regulatory compliance.
Our upcoming panel discussion is your opportunity to tap into the wisdom of experienced public sector eDiscovery professionals. They will offer insights into adeptly navigating administrative complexities, maximizing resource utilization, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulations. Additionally, you'll gain valuable strategies for adapting to evolving technology, optimizing data management, and ultimately enhancing legal outcomes while minimizing associated risks.
Join us to bolster your eDiscovery skills and stay current in this dynamic field.
Speakers:
Duncan Fraser, noticia LLP
Crystal O’Donnell, Heuristica Discovery Counsel LLP
Edwina Podemski
This presentation is free for CBA members.
REGISTER NOW →
In The Public Interest” Student Essay Contest
The Section is pleased to announce Grace Bryson as the winner of the “In the Public Interest” Student Essay Contest for her paper titled, “The Public in Action: The Potential for Public Inquiries to Realize Deliberative Democracy”. Grace Bryson recently completed her Juris Doctor (JD) degree at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.
Thought Exchange – Reply by October 31, 2023
We need your input on what we can do to better serve you, increase your engagement and reduce the barriers impeding your participation in this Section. To gather your feedback, we are using a tool called ThoughtExchange. All our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued.
Click here to participate by 11:59 pm ET on October 31, 2023
You will be asked to respond to one open-ended question, consider and assign stars to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal), and learn what’s important to the group.
Your thoughts and stars are confidential. You can come back as often as you would like to participate and, in fact, we ask that you do come back to star some of the new ideas shared since you first participated. The ratings will help us understand the most important areas to focus on. Thank you in advance for your help.
We Are Accepting Nominations for the John Tait Award of Excellence!
The award will be presented to a public sector lawyer or law office that has achieved the highest standard of professional conduct and competence and has made a significant contribution to social justice and community affairs.
Nomination deadline: November 30, 2023. Submit your nomination and get more details!
Thank you,
Karen F W Liang
Chair, CBA Public Sector Lawyers Section, 2023-2024