Statement

Since my appointment to the Law Society Board and my first meetng in February 2025, I have been privileged to serve as a Bencher during a period of ongoing change in professional regulaton.

Alberta is growing quickly. Legal needs are increasing and practce environments are becoming more complex. This creates new challenges that require close attention to competence, ethical judgment, and the public interest. The work of Law Society Benchers calls for practcal experience, independent judgment, and a firm commitment to the Law Society’s core mandate: protectng the public interest while maintaining an independent bar.

My service on the Lawyer Competence and Ethics Commitee and the Conduct Commitee over the last two years has given me insight into the relationship between effective regulation, accessible guidance, and meaningful professional development. That work has also deepened my understanding of the importance of mentorship, ethics, and practical skill development for articling students and junior lawyers. My career in public service as a Crown Prosecutor gives me further experience in exercising independent judgment and public responsibility in a complex policy environment. Approaching problems independently and fairly, working constructively with others, and exercising sound judgment are core skills that I have developed in my career and that are central to the role of a Bencher. My service as a Bencher has strengthened my understanding of several aspects of the Society’s work:

• Practical Governance: Law Society governance is built on principled, independent, and effective decision-making, focused on serving the public interest. Individual Benchers are not advocates for specific causes; they bring open minds and fair judgment to meetings, listen carefully to all sources of information, and make careful decisions in service of the public interest.
• Fair and Effective Conduct Oversight: My experience in conduct and competence with the Society, alongside adjudicator training, has reinforced the importance of processes that are fair, timely, transparent, and proportionate. This promotes public protection, confidence in the profession, and fair treatment of lawyers.
• Competence, Support, and Skill Development: My work at the Society has given me insight into how training, mentorship, and practical resources support lawyers and students-at-law in developing core skills and meeting their professional responsibilities. That experience has underscored the importance of competence, ethics, well-being, and skill development at all stages in a legal career.

I welcome the opportunity to continue contributing my experience, judgment, and commitment to principled governance in service of a Law Society that remains independent, well-governed, and worthy of the confidence of both the public and the profession.