The Law Society of Manitoba 2 0 1 9€¦ · the first event I attended as President was a Pride Reception that was jointly sponsored by the Sexual Kathy Bueti Orientation and Gender

TheLawSocietyofManitoba

REPORTS

President’sReport..............................2

ChiefExecutiveOfficer’sReport.........4

StrategicPlan.....................................4

ComplaintsReviewCommissioner’sReport...................6

AREAS OF ACTIVITY

Finance................................................ 7

AdmissionsandMembership............... 8

ComplaintsResolution.......................10

Discipline........................................... 12

PracticeIssues..................................14

EquityInitiatives.................................15

EducationandCompetence..............16

ProfessionalLiabilityClaimsFund.....20

ReimbursementFund........................20

AuditProgram....................................21

Benchers........................................... 23Committees....................................... 25Staff...................................................28

2 0 1 9Annual Report

2 2019 Annual Report The Law Society of Manitoba

President’s ReportIampleasedtoprovidethisannualreportattheconclusionofmytermasPresident.This year saw many positive changes at the Law Society, from moving into new premises to thecompositionofthebenchers’tableandtheexecutive.Forthefirsttimeever,theexecutiveincludesalaybencher,NeilCohen,whooccupiesthepositionofofficer-at-large.Withthebencherelection,wewereabletowelcomenewandreturningelectedbenchersandthenominatingcommitteethenhadthedifficulttaskofnominatingappointedlawyerandlaybenchersfromanexceptionalslateofcandidates.At theconclusionof theelectionandappointmentprocess,weonceagainusedournewBenchers’orientationformatwhichallowedforthebencherstomeetalloftheseniorstaff.During my term, I was involved in no fewer than seven swearings-in of Court of Queen’s BenchMasters,JudgesoftheProvincialCourt,andJusticesofboththeCourtofQueen’sBenchandtheCourtofAppeal.IalsosatontheselectioncommitteesfortheProvincialCourtJudicialvacancyinThePas,theRichardJ.ScottAwardandtheQueen’sCounselappointments.IwashonouredtospeakattheJune2018CalltotheBarceremony.

TheLawSocietyisfortunatetohaveaverycollegialrelationshipwiththeManitobaBarAssociationandthefirsteventIattendedasPresidentwasaPrideReceptionthatwasjointlysponsoredbytheSexual

Kathy Bueti

OrientationandGenderIdentificationCommitteeoftheManitobaBarAssociationandtheLawSociety.IwaspleasedaswelltoattendourjointlysponsoredRobsonHallNewStudentWelcomeReceptionandtheManitobaBarAssociationMidwinterConferenceBenchandBarReception,Awardslunch,andCouncilmeeting.

Forme,ahighlightof theyearhadtobetheIndigenousLawContinuingProfessionalDevelopmentProgram:Tebwetibajimowin-ToTelltheTruthinSagkeengFirstNation.ThiseventwasfollowedbytheFacultyofLawHomecomingReception.AsuccessfulpresentationwasmadetotheUniversityofWinnipegCriminalJusticeDepartmentandIwasalsoabletoattendtheIsaacPitbladoLecturesonReimaginingJustice:Trust,Truths,andTransformations.LawSocietycommunityengagementcontinuedastheLawyersforLiteracyeventinsupportofdisadvantagedyouthwasagreatsuccess.

Onthenationalfront,IattendedtheFederationofLawSocieties’2018AnnualConferenceandBusinessMeetingsinPrinceEdwardIslandwithfurthermeetingsinOttawaandMontreal,wherewewrestledwithanumberofpressingissuessuchasentityregulation,mentalhealthandwellnessoflawyers,anti-moneylaunderingregulations,mobilityreciprocitywithQuebec,accesstojustice,theTruthandReconciliationCommission’sCallstoActionandtheimpactofartificialintelligenceonthepractiseoflaw.IwasveryfortunatetoattendtheLawSocietyofAlbertaBencherRetreatwhereweexaminedhowinnovationandculturehaveanimpactontheregulator.

The Law Society has made significant progress on a number of initiatives over the past year. The Prairie Provinces Entity RegulationCommitteehasmadesignificantstridesintheircollaborativeworkthroughouttheyear.ThelongawaitedAnti-MoneyLaunderingandTerroristFinancingruleamendmentsalsohavecomeastepclosertocompletion.

CPLED(thepre-calladmissionprogram)aswecurrentlyknowithasheldoneofitslastclassesastheprogramisbeingre-vampedwithpilotcoursesstartinginthenextarticlingyear.Dr.KaraMitchelmore,theChiefExecutiveOfficerofCPLED,andherteamhavegonetogreatlengthstomakethecoursecontentmorerelevantandpractical.ThisyearwewereabletoaddresssomeofthechallengesexperiencedbylawyerswhopracticeintheNorthincludingtheestablishmentofapilotprojecttoprovidementoringtojuniorcriminallawyers.

We conducted several successful information sessions regarding the launch of the new Trust Safety Program onApril 1, 2019. ThePresident’sSpecialCommitteeontheDeliveryofLegalServicesandtheAccesstoJusticeSteeringCommitteehavedoneextensiveworkthroughouttheyearmakinggreatprogressonsignificantissues.

WealsowereabletoamendtheLawSocietyRulestofacilitatethemobilityofQuebeclawyerswhowishtopractiseinManitoba.Finally,thePracticeandEthicscommitteehasdoneagreatdealofworkexaminingthefeasibilityofintroducingpracticeauditsintotheregulatoryworkoftheLawSocietyinfurtheranceofourstrategicobjectivetoregulateproactivelyinthepublicinterest.

continued on page 3

� 2019 Annual Report The Law Society of Manitoba

TheLawSocietyexecutiveandsenior staffhadaveryproductivemeetingwith theDeputyMinisterof Justice, theDeputyAttorneyGeneralandtheDirectorofProvincialProsecutionsaboutapproachestorespondtotheTruthandReconciliationCallstoActionandinparticulartoaddressissueswithinthecriminaljusticesystem.WealsohadtheopportunitytomeetwiththepresentandpastMinistersofJusticeduringmypresidency.As you will have gleaned from this report, a great deal of progress has been made this year on new initiatives and those alreadyunderway.NoneofthisworkwouldbepossiblewithouttheexceptionalLawSocietystaff.Weareveryfortunatetohavesuchcompetentanddedicatedpeopletosupportandadviseusthroughouttheprocess.

Specifically,IwanttorecognizeourChiefExecutiveOfficerKrisDangerfieldwhoseleadershipisanexampletoallofus.Theseniorstaffintheirrespectivedepartmentsaresecondtonone.IwouldalsoliketothankLeahKosokowskyforallofheradviceandhardwork.BehindthesceneskeepingtheentireorganizationrunningisPatBourbonnais,withoutwhomI’mconvincednothingwouldgetdone.

IknowthatourorganizationwillcontinuetothriveundertheleadershipofAnitaSouthallasPresidentwiththeassistanceofLyndaTroupasVice-President.IhopethatasPastPresidentIcanprovidethesupportandguidancethatJimMcLandresshasbeenabletoprovideme.NeilCohenwillcontinuetoprovidetheinvaluablepublicperspectivethatismuchneededattheexecutivelevel.Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankallofthebenchersforyoursupport.Withoutyourdedicationandcommitmentwewouldnotbeabletodoourimportantwork.Iamhumbledbytheopportunitytohavehadthisexperience.

President’s Reportcontinued from page 2


Chief Executive Officer’s ReportThe Law Society of Manitoba enthusiastically embraced change in 2018, bothoperationallyandstrategically.After36yearsofbeingsituatedinthesamepremises,theLawSocietymoveddownthestreettoestablishitselfinnewspacethatwillmeettheorganization’sneedsforyearstocome.Withthemovecametheopportunitytodesignanenvironmentandsystemsthataccommodatesourneedtoengagewiththeprofessiontoensurethatlegalservicesaredeliveredcompetently,withintegrityandindependence.

Wewelcomedsomeexcellentnewbencherstothetablefollowingthe2018electionandappointmentprocess.Theappointmentprocessincludesbothpractisinglawyersandlaybenchers,withapplicantsfortheavailablepositionsbeingassessedagainstaskillsmatrixthatidentifiesskillsets,competencies,backgroundsandperspectives.Forthefirsttime,thebenchersappointedalaybenchertoserveasanofficer-at-largeon theLawSocietyexecutive.Thesix laybencherswhoservearound thebenchertableareadiverseandtalentedgroup,whotogetherwiththeelectedandappointedbenchersplayasignificantroleindirectingthepolicydecisionsoftheLawSociety.

In2018,thebenchersmadesignificantprogressonsomekeyLawSocietyinitiativesinaccordancewiththeStrategicPlanadoptedbythebenchersfor2017-2020andyouwillseereferencetothatinthepagesthatfollow.Newinitiativestoenhanceaccessto

C. Kristin Dangerfield

justice,supportcompetenceofthelegalprofession,promoteequity,diversityandinclusioninthelegalprofessionandbuildstakeholderconfidenceintheworkoftheLawSocietywillcontinue.Theseinitiativessupplementourcoreregulatoryresponsibilitiesthatsupportthemandatetoensurethepubliciswellservedbyacompetent,honourableandindependentlegalprofession.Many thanks go to the benchers and to the executive of the Law Society, in particular President Kathy Bueti, Vice-PresidentAnitaSouthall,officer-at-largeNeilCohenandPastPresidentJimMcLandress.TheirwillingnesstosupporttheLawSocietyinitseffortstoprotectthepublicinterestinthedeliveryoflegalservicesissecondtonone.IamparticularlyproudofthestaffattheLawSocietywhosededication,commitmentandcreativityisoutstandingandsupportstheimportantworkofregulatingthelegalprofession.Togetherthestaffandbencherslookforwardtotheexcitingopportunitiesthatlieaheadofus.

2017-2020 Strategic Plan

continued on page 5


Access to Justice

Access to Justice is a key strategic objective for thebencherswhocommittedtodemonstratingleadershipintheadvancement,promotionandfacilitationofincreasedaccesstojusticeforallManitobans.Infurtheranceofthatgoal,thePresident’s Special Committee onAlternate Legal Servicesexplored giving up the profession’s monopoly over the de-liveryoflegalservices.TheCommitteeconsideredhowtheSocietycouldfacilitatethedeliveryofquality,innovativeandaffordable legal services. In its report, the Committeerecommended that the Law Society seek legislativeamendments thatwouldpermit thebenchers toexpand thescopeoflegalservicesthatcouldbeprovidedbycategoriesofserviceprovidersoneitheranunregulatedbasis,throughentities including associations of lawyers and non-lawyerssuch as civil society organizations and by persons actingunder thesupervisionofa lawyer,orwitha limited license.Workhascontinuedondevelopingthenecessarypoliciesandframeworkthatwouldsupporttheprovisionoflegalservicesbyarangeofserviceproviders.

In keeping with the need to improve access, in 2018 theLaw Society was able to renew relationships with otherstakeholdersinthejusticesystemtoexploreopportunitiestoenhancetheprovisionofandadvicetothepublic.SupportedthroughfundingfromtheManitobaLawFoundation,theLawSociety and the Manitoba Law Library Inc. is working withcolleaguesfromTheUniversityofManitoba,TheLegalHelpCentre, CLEA and the Province of Manitoba to establish aLawLibraryHubattheLawCourtsBuilding.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The benchers committed to improving principles of equity,diversity and inclusion in the regulation of the legal profes-sionand in thedeliveryof legalservices. In furtheranceofthatobjective, theLawSocietybenchersandstaffhave re-ceived training in an effort to develop an understanding ofinstitutional racism and how to overcome it. This is anongoinginitiativethatwillrequireconstantattentioninordertobecomeaninclusiveanddiverseregulatorandlegalprofes-

TheLawSocietymovedforwardwithanumberofimportantstrategicobjectivesandinitiativesin2018.

Communications

ThePresident’sSpecialCommitteeonCommunicationsissuedareportoutliningacommunications,engagementandoutreachstrategytomoreeffectivelycommunicatetheLawSociety’smandateasaregulatorthatischargedwithprotectingthepublicinterestinthedeliveryoflegalservices.WorkonthatstrategyiswellunderwaywiththeadditionofaCommunicationsOfficertotheLawSocietyteamwhoisleadingthedevelopmentofnewbrandingandanewwebsitetobettercommunicatewithboththeprofessionandthepublic.

sion.Oureffortstoassisttheprofessiontobecomeculturallycompetentcontinue. A Road Map for Increasing Cultural Competence in theDeliveryofLegalServiceswasdevelopedtoguidetheLawSocietyin itsefforts to increaseculturalcompetency in thedeliveryof legalservices.

Aspartofthecommitmenttopromoteequityinthelegalprofession,theLawSocietyisexploringwhethertoofferpart-timepractisingfeesinanefforttoencouragegreaterretentionoffemalelawyersandtoaccommodatethosewithprimarychildcareorotherresponsibilities.

Proactive Regulation to Support Competence

The Trust Safety Program is an important component of the LawSociety’s objective of regulating proactively to protect the publicinterest.In2018,anon-lineeducationprogram,application,approv-alandappealprocessesweredeveloped togovern theprogramtoensurethatlawyersareproperlytrainedtomanageclienttrustfunds.

Inassociationwiththetrustsafetywork,theLawSocietytookitsfirstformalsteptowardlawfirmregulationbyestablishingarequirementforlawfirmstoregisterwiththeSocietyandtodesignatearesponsi-ble lawyertoreceiveandrespondtocommunicationsfromtheLawSociety on behalf of the firm. Work continues on a Law FirmManagementAssessmentToolwhichis intendedtoassist lawfirmstoimproveandmaintainclientandpracticemanagementpoliciesandprocedures.

The Law Society also explored the value of a practice reviewprocess as part of a proactive approach to enhancing lawyercompetencebyidentifyingandaddressingrisksinalawyer’spracticebeforetheyescalate.Workcontinuesonamodelthatwouldmitigateagainsttheriskoflawyerspractisingincompetently.

Another competence initiative approved by the benchers is thedevelopment of the new rendition of CPLED, the Law Society’spre-calladmissionprogram.WeoperateCPLEDinconjunctionwithour partners inAlberta and Saskatchewan and through 2018 haveseen significant progress in developing an on-line and in personprogramthatwillenablearticlingstudents to learnandpractise thekeyskillseverycompetentlawyerneeds.

2017-2020 Strategic Plancontinued from page 4


Complaints Review Commissioner’s Report

Complainants to theLawSocietywhodisagreewith certain typesofdecisionsmadeby theLawSoci-ety’sComplaintsResolutionDepartmentstaffhave theoption to requestan independent reviewby theCommissioner,whoisanon-lawyer.

Complainantshave60daysafteradecisionbyComplaintsResolutionDepartmentstafftorequestsuchareviewif:

(a) afteran initialreview,staffdecidednotto investigatethecomplaintonthebasisofnomerit;or

(b) basedonan investigation, thematterwasconcludedat thestaff level,withorwithoutfurtheractionbeingtakenregardingthecomplaint.

Drew Perry

TheComplaintsReviewCommissioner’s review involvesa file reviewof thesame information thatwasavailable tostaff. Awrittendecisionisprovidedtothecomplainant,withcopiestothelawyerinquestionandtheLawSocietystaffpersoninvolvedattheoutset.

TheoptionsavailabletotheCommissionerfollowingareviewareto:

(a) confirmtheinitialstaffdecision;

(b) disagreewithadecisionnottoinvestigateandrequireaninvestigationbyadifferentstaffmember;or

(c) disagreewithadecisionthatwasbasedonaninvestigationanddirecttheLawSocietytoreferthemattertotheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteeforitsconsideration.

In2018-2019therewere42requestsforreviewfromcomplainants,slightlylowerthanthe48inthepreviousyear.Uponreview,37ofthe42staffdecisionswereconfirmed.Twocasesweredeterminedtowarrantastaffinvestigationwherenonehadtakenplace,andthreecomplaintswerereferredtotheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteeforitsconsideration.

IwouldliketothanktheLawSocietyofManitobafortheopportunitytoparticipateintheoverallcomplaintsreviewprocessinthisway.Theoptionofanindependentreviewbyanon-lawyerforsometypesofdecisionsisimportantforcomplainantsastheyproceedthroughthecomplaintresolutionprocess.


FinanceTheLawSocietyofManitobaaccountsfor its financialactivitiesthroughfourseparatespecialpurposefunds: theGeneralFund, theReimbursementFund,theProfessionalLiabilityClaimsFund,andtheEducationandCompetenceFund.Abudgetispreparedforeachofthesefundsandpresentedtothebenchersbeforethestartoftheyear.Astheyearprogresses,theactualfinancialoperationsarereviewedbybothmanagementandthebenchers,andatyearendtheSociety’sexternalauditors,DeloitteLLP,examineandreportonthoseresults.The general operations of the Law Society, which are reported on through the General Fund, include accounting, admissions andmembership, benchers, complaints resolution, discipline, the Family Law Access Centre, general administration and informationtechnology. TheFund’smain sourceof revenuecomes frompracticing fees ($1,900permember in2018-2019), supplementedbyinvestmentincomeandotheradministrativefeesandrecoveries.ThemajorexpensesofthisFundincludesalariesandbenefitsrelatedtoitsoperations,grants(inparticularinsupportoftheGreatLibrary,CommunityLegalEducationAssociationandtheFederationofLawSocietiesofCanada),rentofthenewbuildingpremisesat260St.MaryAvenue,continuedmaintenanceofourformerpremisesat219KennedyStreet,committeeandbenchersupport,professionalassistance,andgeneralofficesuppliesandoperations.In2016-2017aCapitalImprovementFeeof$100permemberwasleviedforafiveyearperiod.However,withthecompletionofthemovetothenewpremises,thislevywaseliminatedfortheupcomingyears.

TheReimbursementFundexistsforthebenefitofclientswhomaysufferlossesintheeventofthetheftofclientfundsbylawyers.TheFundisfinancedbyanannualassessment($350perpractisinglawyerin2018-2019),agrantfromtheManitobaLawFoundationandinvestment income. Major expenses include financing the Society’s audit program (including salaries and benefits), LawyersTrustProtectionInsurancepremiums,acontributiontothegeneraloperationsoftheSociety,andrepaymentstoclientswhobecomevictimsoflawyertheftwhichcanvarysignificantlyfromyeartoyear.

The Professional Liability Claims Fund provides professional liability insurance coverage to all Manitoba lawyers. It is funded byinvestmentincomeandanannualinsurancelevy($1,645fortheperiodJuly1,2018toJune30,2019).AsofJuly1,2017,thislevyhasincludedcyberinsurancecoverageatanannualcostof$45.Theannualinsurancelevycoverssalariesandbenefits,netclaimspaid,counseldefencecosts,mandatoryandotherinsurancepremiums(includingsupporttotheprofessionforhealthandwellnessthroughBlueCross)andtheservicesprovidedbyoutsideprofessionals(notablyourpractice,investmentandactuarialadvisors).ThisFundalsoreimbursestheGeneralFundforitsshareofthosecosts.

TheEducationandCompetenceFundsupportslawyersbyprovidingboththeknowledgeandskillstobecomeandremaincompetentlyable to serve thepublic. ThisFund is financedbyanannual contribution from fees ($300permember in2018-2019), educationalprogramrevenue,application,tuitionandcallfeesforCPLED(theSociety’sbaradmissionprogram),agrantfromtheManitobaLawFoundation and investment income. These monies are used to deliver educational programs to both existing and future lawyers.Expenses include thosenecessary for thedeliveryof theseprograms, includingsalariesandbenefits,contributions towardsCPLEDdevelopment,honoraria forvolunteerpresenters,andmaterialsandotherprogramdeliverycosts. ThisFundalsocontributes to thegeneralcostsoftheSociety’soperations.

TheLawSocietyendedthe2018-2019fiscalyearwithanoverallnetincomeof$1,197,811(lastyear$763,374).Thisresultedinpartfromreceiptofhigherthanexpectedfeesandleviesduetoanincreaseinthenumberofmembers,anincreaseintheannualgrantfromtheManitobaLawFoundation,anunexpectedincreaseinthefairmarketvalueofourinvestments,andasignificantreductionintheamountpaidforinsuranceclaimsandpremiums.

Expensesweregenerallywellcontrolledandkepttoaminimumwithageneralleaseholdallowancebeingreceivedfromournewlandlord.Overall, theLawSociety’ssoundfinancialperformance in2018-2019reflectedeffectivefinancialmanagementandprudentbusinesspracticesthroughouttheorganization.


Admissions and Membership

New Members

DuringtheyearendingMarch31,2019,117lawyerswerecalledtotheBarinManitoba.Ofthose:

• 18lawyerstransferredtoManitobafromotherCanadianjurisdictions,undertheNationalMobilityAgreement;• 95articlingstudentswerecalledtotheBar;and• 4lawyersreceivedpartialexemptionsfromarticlingbasedonforeignpractisingexperience.

OfthetotalcalledtotheBar,13lawyershadobtainedlawdegreesoutsideofCanadaandwereadmittedonthebasisofaCertificateofQualificationissuedbytheNationalCommitteeonAccreditation.

Where Members are Practising

LawSocietymemberswithactivepractisingstatusonDecember31,2018were2,094practisinginthefollowinggeographicalareas:

• withintheCityofWinnipeg:1,763;• withinManitoba,butnotintheCityofWinnipeg:261;and• outsideManitoba:70.

Law Firms in Manitoba

AsofDecember31,2018,197lawfirms(notincludingsolepractitioners)wereoperatinginManitoba.Ofthesefirms:

• 85.3%have2-10lawyers;• 9.6%have11-25lawyers;• 1.5%have26-50lawyers;and• 3.6%havemorethan50lawyers.

Demographics and Nature of Practice

Therewere2,024lawyerswithactivepractisingstatusinManitobaasofDecember31,2018,ofwhich1,236or61%weremenand788or39%werewomen.Ofthosewomeninactivepractice,56%wereengagedinprivatepracticewiththeremaining44%employedincorporate,government(includingLegalAid)andeducationalendeavours.Ofthemeninactivepractice,74%wereengagedinprivatepracticeand26%incorporate,governmentandeducationalendeavours.Table AbelowprovidesahistoricalrecordofthenumberofpractisinglawyersinManitobaandTable Bprovidesagenderbreakdownbyyearsinpractice.

Thefollowingarethenumberoflawyerswhovoluntarilyreportedthattheyidentifiedas:

• 114-Indigenous;• 140-VisiblyEthnic;• 64-Francophone;• 48-LGBT2SQ+;and• 40-PersonwithDisability.

continued on page 9


YearsattheBar

Male Female Total

(Inclusive) # % # % # %0-5 266 13.1 242 12.0 508 25.1

6-10 154 7.6 148 7.3 302 14.911-15 94 4.6 107 5.3 201 9.916-20 105 5.2 75 3.7 180 8.921-25 103 5.1 59 2.9 162 8.026-30 111 5.5 57 2.8 168 8.331-35 97 4.8 39 1.9 136 6.7

36+ 322 15.9 45 2.2 367 18.1TOTAL 1,252 61.9 772 38.1 2.024 100

Table B: Practising Lawyers in Manitoba as of December �1st by Years at the Bar and Gender

Admissions and Membershipcontinued from page 8

1932-603 1975-910 1986-1,483 1997-1,711 2008-1,8601950-551 1976-967 1987-1,526 1998-1,699 2009-1,8831955-636 1977-1,105 1988-1,548 1999-1,731 2010-1,9191965-683 1978-1,083 1989-1,609 2000-1,737 2011-1,9461966-702 1979-1,169 1990-1,635 2001-1,760 2012-1,9851968-704 1980-1,213 1991-1,680 2002-1,769 2013-1,9921970-723 1981-1,252 1992-1,665 2003-1,778 2014-2,0141971-746 1982-1,282 1993-1,659 2004-1,808 2015-2,0281972-776 1983-1,304 1994-1,659 2005-1,825 2016-2,0081973-795 1984-1,336 1995-1,671 2006-1,819 2017-2,0201974-837 1985-1,387 1996-1,677 2007-1,836 2018-2,024

Table A: Practising Lawyers in Manitoba as of December �1st

Years at the Bar

Thebreakdownoftheprofessionintermsofnumberofyearsatthebarfortheprovince’s2,024practisinglawyersisindicatedinTable B.


Complaints Resolution

Complaints

The aim of the Law Society of Manitoba is a public well served by a competent, honourable and independent legal profession. TheComplaintsResolutionDepartmentstrivestomeetthataimbyresolvingcomplaintsinawaythatisthorough,timelyandfair.LawSocietystaffinvestigateandresolvethemajorityofcomplaintsreceivedaboutlawyers,whiletheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteedealswiththemoreseriouscomplaints.

Whereappropriate,LawSocietystaffwillattempttoaddressverbalcomplaintsquicklyandinformallybywayofanearlyintervention.Inthepastfiscalyear,staffresolved103verbalcomplaintsinthismanner.

LawSocietystaffalsoresolvethemajorityofwrittencomplaints.Lastyear,theLawSocietyopened331newcomplaintfilesandstaffresolvedapproximately380complaintmatters(somereceivedinpriorfiscalyears)asfollows:

Fee Arbitration

The Law Society offers a fee arbitration program to members of

thepublic freeofcharge. Membersof the legalprofessiondonate

theirtimetoarbitratefeedisputesinavoluntaryarbitrationprocess.

In 2015, the Law Society amended the process to allow for public

representatives to sit on fee arbitration hearing panels. The pro-

gramallowsclientsandlawyerstoresolvedisputesaboutaccounts

inamoreinformalsettingthanthroughacourtassessment. Mem-

bersof the legal profession, however, arenot required toagree to

arbitration.

The Law Society received 47 complaints relating to excessive

fees.Noactionwastakenin5mattersduetonofollowthroughby

complainants or the Society having no jurisdiction to deal with the

complaint.Therewere42requestsforarbitrationuponwhichtheLaw

Societywasabletoact.

Nineof thearbitrationrequestsresulted inasatisfactorysettlement

beingreachedbetweenthememberandthecomplainantdirectly.

Nofurtheractionwastakenon16requestsduetothefactthatthe

lawyerdeclinedtoarbitratethedispute. Therewerefour instances

whereanarbitrationrequestwasmade,buttherequestswerelater

abandonedorwithdrawnbythecomplainantpriortotheconclusionof

thearbitrationprocess.

Two matters are ongoing, either pending an arbitration hearing or

pendingthemember’sorthecomplainant’sconsideration.

SevenarbitrationhearingswereconductedbetweenApril1,2018and

March31,2019.Infourinstances,thefeeswereupheld,andintwo

instances the feeswere reduced. There isonependingarbitration

decisions

• 132complaintsweredetermined tobeoutside theLawSociety’sjurisdictionordidnotmeritinvestigation;

• 21complaintswereresolvedinformallytothesatisfactionofthecomplainantandthelawyer;

• 72 complaints were investigated and concluded on thebasisthatthelawyerprovidedasatisfactoryresponsetotheconcernsraisedbythecomplainant;

• 88complaintsinvolvedsubstantiatedconcernsthatweredisposedofbyawrittenremindertothelawyerofhisorherprofessionalobligations;

• 4complaintswereconcludedwitharecommendationthatthelawyerfollowaparticularcourseofaction;

• 14 complaints were concluded with a written reminderandrecommendation;

• 5complaintswerecloseduponbeingabandonedorwith-drawn;

• 4mattersclosedbecausetheLawSocietylostjurisdictionduetoalawyer’sdeathordisbarment;and

• 1 matter closed due to the lawyer’s illness and subse-quentwithdrawalfrompractice.

continued on page 11

SeveralmatterswerereferredtotheChiefExecutiveOfficerwho,pursu-anttoherauthorityunderLawSocietyRule5-66(e)(i),authorizedcharg-esofprofessionalmisconductagainst3 lawyersfor failingtorespondtocomplaintsandtoLawSocietycorrespondence.


Complaints Resolutioncontinued from page 10

InaccordancewithLawSocietypoliciesandtheBenchers’CodeofConduct,allcomplaintsaboutbenchersaretobeinvestigatedbyanindependentinvestigatorandthenpresentedtotheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteeforconsideration.

LawSocietystaffreferredatotalof51matterstotheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteeforitsconsiderationincluding4complaintsaboutbenchers.

WhilemostcomplaintstotheLawSocietyaremadebyclientsorformerclientsandcommonlyraiseconcernsrelatingtoqualityofserviceandexcessivefees,themattersreferredtotheCommitteedealtprimarilywithintegrityconcerns,competenceissues,breachesoftrustconditions,conflictsofinterest,andungovernablemembers.

The Committee has a wide range of powers including the authority to order reviews of a lawyer’s practice, authorize charges ofprofessionalmisconduct,conductunbecomingalawyerorincompetenceinalawyer’spracticeoflaw.TheCommitteecanalsoissueformalcautions,directpersonalappearancesandsuspendlawyersfrompracticeonaninterimbasis.

TheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteeheld8meetingsduringthefiscalperiodofApril1,2018toMarch31,2019.Thefirstofthosemeetings was the final meeting for the 2017-2018 Committee and the remaining 7 meetings were held by the 2017-2018 Commit-tee.The2017-2018Committeewascomprisedof5practisingbenchers,2lifebenchers,2laybenchers,(publicrepresentatives),and4non-bencherlawyers.

ThemattersconsideredbytheCommitteeincluded1bankruptcy,and3personalappearancesbylawyersrequiredtoaddressurgentconcernsandtoassistintheinvestigationofacomplaint.

TheCommitteeconsidered51matters,theresolutionsofwhichincluded:

• chargesauthorizedon33matters,relatingto12lawyers;

• interimsuspensionsof1lawyer;

• practicerestrictionsimposedupon1lawyer;

• undertakingsprovidedby4lawyers;

• nofurtheractiontakenon6matters;

• considerationof1matterdeferredtoalatermeeting;and

• apracticerevieworderedfor2lawyers.


TheLawSocietyprotectsthepublicinterestinthedeliveryoflegalservicesbyprosecutinglawyerswhoarechargedwithprofessionalmisconduct,incompetence,orconductunbecomingalawyer.ChargesareauthorizedonlywhenitappearsthatalternativemeasuresfordealingwithcomplaintsarenotsufficientintheparticularcasetomeettheSociety’spublicprotectionmandate.Theseareoftencasesofseriouslapsesorwherelesserpriordispositionshavenotcorrectedthemember’sconduct.

OncechargesareauthorizedagainstalawyerbytheLawSociety’sComplaintsInvestigationCommittee-orinlimitedcircumstancesbytheChiefExecutiveOfficer-thechargesareformalizedintoCitations.NoticesarepostedontheLawSociety’swebsitesothatclientsandprospectiveclientscanseethatalawyerhasbeenchargedandcandeterminethenatureoftheallegationsagainstthelawyer.Soastokeepthepublicinformed,decisionsindisciplinemattersarepostedonthewebsiteimmediatelyaftertheyhavebeenservedonthememberandadigestofeachdecisionisalsoposted.

Outofover2,300 lawyerswithactivepractisingstatus thisyearonlyseven,orabout1/3of1%weredisciplined. Inonematterahearingwasbegunandnotcompletedduringtheyear.InthatmatterapreliminaryissuewasresolvedbyamotiontotheCourtofQueen’sBench.InanothertheDisciplineCommitteedealtwithapreliminarymotiononly.

DisciplinehearingsareconductedbypanelsofthreemembersoftheDisciplineCommittee,oneofwhomisapublicrepresentativetohelpensurethatthepublic interest isakeycomponentofthehearingprocess.HearingsareopentothepublicunlesstherearecompellingreasonsforthePaneltoorderthatthepublicbeexcludedfromallorpartofahearing.Thisyearallhearingswereopentothepublic.

Parties to the hearing have the right to subpoena and cross-examine witnesses. Lawyers who are charged may choose to berepresentedbycounselatthesedisciplinehearings.Lawyersmaypleadguiltyornotguiltytothechargeslaidagainstthem.Iffactscanbeagreedupon,aStatementofAgreedFacts is filedandthisreducesthetime itwouldotherwisetaketoprovethefacts thatdemonstratethemisconduct.Frequently,ajointrecommendationismadewithrespecttotheconductatissueandwithrespecttotheappropriateconsequences.InsixofsevendisciplinaryhearingsconcludedthisyearthelawyerenteredapleaofguiltyandinfiveofthosetheDisciplineCommitteePanelwaspresentedwithajointrecommendation.

Attheconclusionofadisciplinehearing,thepanelmusteitherdismissthechargesormakeafindingthatthelawyerisguiltyoftheallegedconduct.Ifalawyerisfoundguilty,s.72(1)ofThe Legal Profession Actprovidesthepanelwiththeauthoritytoimposesanctionsrangingfromareprimandthroughtoanorderthatthelawyerbedisbarred.Adisciplinepanelmayalsoimposerestrictionsorremedialrequirements.Insomecasesmorethanoneoftheavailabledispositionsisordered.Intwocasesconcludedthisyearthelawyerwassuspended.Fourlawyerswerefinedandonewasreprimanded.Remedialconditionsorrestrictionswerealsoorderedinthreecases.IneverycaseconcludedthisyearthelawyerwasalsoorderedtopaycoststotheSociety,whichrangedfrom$2,000to$30,000.

ThisyeartheDisciplineCommittee’sninehearingsinvolvingninelawyerswereconductedover27days,ofwhich17wereinthecurrentyear.Inadditiontwopre-hearingconferenceswereconductedbytheChairoftheDisciplineCommittee.TheChairorVice-ChairoftheDisciplineCommitteepresidedover11“setdowndockets”,atwhichtheprogressofpendingchargesismonitored,hearingdatesaresetandatwhichproceduralissuesmaybeaddressedandresolved.

DecisionsoftheDisciplineCommitteemaybeappealedtotheCourtofAppeal.ThisyeartherewasoneappealdecidedbytheCourtanddismissed.Anothermemberfiledanappealbutwithdrewit.

Discipline


1� 2019 Annual Report The Law Society of Manitoba

Disciplinecontinued from page 12

ThisyearthechargesintheconcludedcasesthatcamebeforetheCommitteeincluded:

Failing to act with integrity,includingmisleadingopposingcounselandadvisingclientstoengageindishonourableconduct;

Conflict of Interestbyactingforaclientinalitigationmatterwhenthelawyer’sownconductwouldbeatissue;

Failure to respond to the Law Society,includingfailingtorespondto“14-dayletters”andfollowupletters;

Failing to servetheclientinaconscientious,diligentandefficientmanner,includingfailingtoprovidecompetentandtimelyservice;

Charging fees and disbursements that were not fair, reasonable and fully disclosedbyfailuretodeliverabilltotheclient;

Failing to comply with trust conditions and undertakingsincludingconditionsimposedbyotherlawyersandbyfinancialinstitu-tions;

Failing to comply with accounting rulesincludingastohandlingoftrustfundsandastokeepingrequiredgeneralaccountrecords;

Failing to treat other counsel with courtesy and respect,includingfailingtorespondinatimelyfashiontocommunicationsfromopposingcounsel;

Severalofthehearingsheldthisyearinvolvedmorethanonecomplaintagainstthelawyerandmultiplecharges.Intotal17chargesweredisposedofbytheDisciplineCommitteethisyear.

Chargeswerestayedagainsttwolawyersafterundertakingswereacceptedthatwereconsideredsufficienttoprotectthepublic intheparticularcircumstances.Oneoftheseinvolvedmultiplechargesagainstaseniorlawyerwhowasexperiencingmedicalproblemsduringtheperiodinwhichthemisconducthappened.TheSocietyacceptedthelawyer’sundertakings,includingthatthelawyerretirefrompractice.

Atotalof37separatefilesinvolving11lawyerswerereferredtotheDisciplineDepartmentin2018-2019.Onelawyeraccountedforeightfilesandtwoother lawyersaccountedforfiveeach.Atyear’sendchargesinvolving11lawyerswereyettobescheduledforhearing.


Practice Issues

Givenitsmandatetoregulatethedeliveryoflegalservicesinthepublicinterest,theLawSocietyregularlyprovidesguidanceandsupporttolawyersandstudentswhohavequestionsorconcernsrelatingtopracticeissuesandethicalobligations.OnthefirstdayofCPLED(formerlytheBarAdmissioncourse),weencouragestudentstoviewusasaresourcethatcanprovidehelpfulguidancetothemaboutexpectedstandardsofpracticeandethicalobligations.WealsoencouragelawyerstocontacttheLawSocietywhentheyhavequestionsorconcernsasthisprovidesanopportunitytoprovideadviceonamoreproactivebasisandassistthemtoresolveissuesbeforeconcernsareraisedabouttheirconduct.WeregularlyreferlawyerstoprovisionswithintheCode of Professional Conduct,LawSocietyRules,PracticeDirectionsandotherresources.

Inquiriesfromlawyersincludequestionsabouttrustconditions,conflictsofinterest,transferringclientfiles,withdrawalfromaclientmatter,civilitybetweencounsel,andissuesrelatingtoconfidentialityandsolicitor-clientprivilege.Fromtimetotime,alawyerwillrequestawrittenopinionwiththeintentionofsharingtheSociety’sviewswithothercounseloraclientinordertoattempttoresolveadisagreement.

ThePracticeandEthicsCommitteemettoconsiderwhethertheLawSocietyoughttoimplementapracticeaudit/reviewprogramand,ifso,thecircumstancesinwhichitwouldbeappropriatetoconductareviewofalawyer’spractice.TheCommitteeconsideredthattheComplaintsInvestigationCommitteealreadyhastheauthoritytodirectthatapracticereviewtakeplacebutrecognizedthatthesekindofdirectionsareonlygiveninresponsetoacomplaintorconcernsaboutamember’spractice.TheCommitteeconcludedthatitwouldbenefitthepubliciftheSocietycoulddirectpracticereviewsunderbroadercircumstancesinordertoprovideguidancetolawyersaboutpracticemanagementonaproactivebasis.Therefore,arecommendationwillbemadetothebenchersthattheSocietyimplementapracticereviewprogramwhichwouldinvolvemakingarrangementstomeetwithlawyersandreviewasamplingoffilestoseewhethertheymightbenefitfromsomeassistancerelatingtopracticemanagementandthedeliveryoflegalservicestoclients.TheCommitteewillprepareadetailedreportcontaininganumberofrelatedrecommendationsfortheconsiderationofthebenchers.

Over thepast numberof years, theSociety hasmadeamendments to theCode of Professional Conduct in aneffort to harmonizeManitobaCodeprovisionswiththeFederationofLawSocieties’ModelCodeofProfessionalConduct.WecontinuetomonitorsuggestedamendmentstotheModelCodeandparticipateinaLawSocietyLiaisonsGroupwithrepresentativesacrossthecountry, inordertostayinformed,providefeedback,andproviderecommendationstothebenchersaboutrevisionstotheManitobaCode of Professional Conduct.


Equity InitiativesTheLawSocietyofManitobasupportsthefullparticipationofallpeopleinthelegalprofessionregardlessofage,disability,race,religion,maritalorfamilystatus,genderidentityorsexualorientation.TheSocietyacknowledgesthediversityoftheManitobacommunityandexpectslawyerstorespectthedignityandworthofallpeopleandtotreatallpersonsequally.DiscriminationandharassmentareagainstthelawandareprohibitedbytheCode of Professional Conduct.

TheEquityOfficerprovidesconfidential information,adviceandassistancetoManitoba lawyers,articlingstudents, legalsupportstaffandclientsoflawyersindealingwithissuesofdiscriminationandharassment.TheEquityOfficeralsoseekstopreventdiscriminationandharassment throughavarietyofeducationalandpolicy initiativesaimedatpromotingequity,diversityand inclusivity in the legalprofession.DuringtheyearendingMarch31,2019,theEquityOfficerassisted33individualsdealingwithissuesasfollows:

Discrimination-8 OfficePolicies–5 SexualHarassment-4 OtherEquityRelatedIssues–13 Harassment–3

Overthepastyear,theLawSocietyupdatedthedemographiccategoriesitusestocollectinformationonmemberstoreflectprinciplesofequity,diversityandinclusivity.ThegendercategoriesintheAnnualMemberReporthavebeenexpandedtoincludetheoptionsof“non-binary”and“other”inadditiontomaleandfemale,andotherdemographiccategoriesidentifyingindividualsasmembersofequityseekinggroupshavealsobeenupdatedtofacilitateimproveddatacollectiononthediversityoftheprofession.

TheLawSocietyhostedaonedayCPDonIndigenouslawcalledTebwetibajimowinor“ToTelltheTruth”inpartnershipwiththeManitobaBarAssociation(MBA)’sAboriginallawsection,RobsonHallFacultyofLawandtheManitobaIndigenousLawStudentsAssociation.TheprogramtookplaceatTurtleLodgeonSagkeengFirstNationonSeptember27,2018andwasdeliveredentirelybyIndigenousElders.

TheLawSocietyprovideddiversityandinclusivitytrainingtothebenchersandDisciplineCommitteemembers,andofferedaCPDonthetopictomembersinbothClearLakeandWinnipeg.

TheLawSociety’sEquityCommitteedealswith issuesrelatingtoequalityanddiversity. Thisyear theEquityCommitteeendorsedaRoadmap for IncreasingCulturalCompetency in theDeliveryofLegalServices,whichwassubsequentlyapprovedby theBenchers.TheRoadmapwasdevelopedinresponsetotheTruthandReconciliationCommission’sCalltoAction#27.PlansfortheLawSociety’sactivitiesfallwithinfivebroadcategories:legaleducation,collaborationandengagement,internalawareness,governanceandopera-tionsandsupportforIndigenousmembers.TheRoadmapisintendedtobeadynamicor“living”documentwhichwillbeadaptedandaugmentedovertime.TheEquityCommitteealsorecommendedtheLawSocietyholdanannualnetworkingeventforIndigenouslawandarticlingstudents,leadingtothefirst“BuildingConnections”event,heldonMarch5,2019andhostedinpartnershipwiththeManitobaIndigenousLawStudentsAssociationandtheMBA’sAboriginallawsection.Theeventwassuccessfulandplansarebeingmadetoholdtheeventagainnextyear.

InresponsetoarequestfromtheWomenLawyers’SectionoftheMBA,theBenchersdecidedtoexplorethepossibilityofofferingpart-timepractisingfeesforlawyerswhomeetspecificcriteria.Memberswillhaveanopportunitytoprovidetheirinputonthisissueviaanonlinesurveywhichwillbeconducted.

TheEquityOfficerpresentedonapanelon“#MeToo:WhatitMeansforYou”attheMBAMidwinterConferenceinJanuaryandalsospoketolawyersandstudentsonthetopicsofdiscrimination,harassmentandtheservicessheoffers.ShewrotearticleswhichappearedintheCommuniqueonthefollowingtopics:

• ArticlingInterviewsareFastApproaching:TimetoRe-ThinktheMeaningof“Fit”(May2018)• TraditionalLandAcknowledgements:MorethanJustaGesture(August2018)• WhyIndigenousLawMatters(October2018)• IsYourFirmAccessible?(October2018)(co-writtenwithEileenDerksen)

The Equity Officer continues to be an active participant in the Federation of Law Societies Equity Network, a working group withrepresentativesfromacrossthecountrywhoshareinformationaboutissuesrelatedtoequityanddiversityinthelegalprofessionandengagecollaborativelyindevelopingandimplementingjointregionalornationalprojects.


Education and Competence

Admissions and Education Committee

The Admissions and Education Committee assists benchergovernancebyrecommendingpolicyalternativesinthreeareas:

• admissionmatters;• education of applicants seeking admission as

lawyers;and• continuingprofessionaldevelopmentofpractis-

inglawyers.

The committee monitors the work of the Admissions andMembershipDepartment and theworkof theEducationandCompetence Department. In addition, the Admissions andEducationAppeals Sub-Committee hears appeals from bothadmissionsandeducationdecisions.

CPLED and Articles

The Manitoba CPLED Program is part of a regional baradmission course offered in Manitoba, Saskatchewan andAlberta.TheCPLEDProgramfocusesontheessentialskillsthatnewlawyersneedintheearlyyearsofpractice.Theprogramcombinestraditionalclassroomandonlinedeliveryformats.Asreportedlastyear,CPLEDisrevisingthebaradmissionprogramtotakeadvantageofneweronlinelearningtoolsandtoprovideeven more practical experiences and evaluations. The newprogramwillbecalledPREP(PracticeReadinessEducation/Evaluation/Experiential/E-learningProgram).PREPwilllaunchacrossallof theCPLEDjurisdictions inAugust2020. ApilotofferingofPREPwillbeavailabletoManitobaarticlingstudentsstartinginFebruary2020.Oncefullylaunched,CPLEDwillof-fertwoPREPprogramseachyear,onerunningAugusttoAprilandthesecondfromFebruarytoOctober.

The 2018-2019 Manitoba CPLED Program began onSeptember 10, 2018. Each module averaged just over 100students.

TheLawSociety’smissionisapublicservedbycompetentlawyers.Tofulfilthatmission,theLawSocietyensuresthat:

• Individualsapplyingforentryintothelegalprofessionhavetheknowledgeandskillsrequiredtoprovidelegalservicescompetently;

• Theknowledgeandskillsrequiredtobecomecompetentarearticulated;

• Individualsapplyingforentryintothelegalprofessionareofgoodmoralcharacter;

• Guidelinesforwhatconstitutesgoodmoralcharacterarearticulated;

• Considerationofapplicantsforentryintothelegalprofessioncomplieswithlegislativerequirements;and

• Afterentryintothelegalprofession,lawyerstakeresponsibilityformaintainingtheirowncompetence.

TobeeligibletobecalledtotheBar,CPLEDProgramstudentsmustalsocomplete52weeksofarticlesunderthesupervisionofa lawyerapprovedasaprincipal.Articlesareintendedtoprovidestudentswithrealistic experiences in a supervised and reflective atmosphere. In2018-2019,ninestudentsarticledoutsidetheCityofWinnipegforallorpartoftheirarticlingperiod.

Students who complete the 2018-2019 CPLED Program and therequired articling period will be called to the bar in ceremonies inWinnipegandothercentresinManitoba.ThemassCalltotheBarwillbeheldinWinnipegonJune20,2019.

Lastyear’smassCalltotheBarceremonytookplaceonJune14,2018.Attheceremony,theA.M.MontagueIsraels,Q.C.PrizewasawardedtoRebeccaHeller.

Qualification Examinations

The Law Society may require that lawyers seeking to resumepractice after being out of practice for a period of time and foreignlawyers wishing to practise in Manitoba complete qualificationexaminations.BetweenApril1,2018andMarch31,2019,onelawyersuccessfullycompletedthequalificationexaminations.

Remedial Education

Fromtimeto timetheSociety identifies lawyerswhoseskillsor legalknowledge have deteriorated and who are not able to competentlyprovide legal services. The Society provides remedial programs toassisttheselawyerstoreacquireandtodemonstratetheircompetency.BetweenApril1,2018andMarch31,2019twomembersenrolled inremedialprogramsintendedtoassistwithissuesrelatingtoconflictsofinterest,realestatepractice,andprofessionalresponsibility.



Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The Education and Competence Department provides educational resources for lawyers and their support staff to assist them inprovidinghighqualitylegalservicestothepublic.Inplanningcontinuingprofessionaldevelopment(CPD)programsandresources,thedepartment is guided by a working definition of competence and strives to offer resources that address each component of thedefinition.

Duringthe2018-2019year,theLawSocietyoffered62CPDprograms:

• 51inWinnipeg(whichincludes21replays);• 11 outside Winnipeg: 6 in Brandon, 1 in Clear Lake, 1 in Portage la Prairie, 1 in Sagkeeng First Nation and 2 in

Thompson.

The62programsoffered

180.75totalhoursofCPD;76.75totalhoursofEPPM(Ethics,ProfessionalismandPracticeManagement).

The62programsattracted3,898registrations.

Theseprogramsincluded:

• 13webinarsand/orteleconferences;• 21DVDreplaysofin-personprograms;and• 1programofferedinFrench.

TheLawSocietyiscommittedtoincreasingeducationalopportunitieswithrespecttoculturalcompetenceascalleduponintheTruthandReconciliationReportCallstoAction.InthepastyearprogramsspecificallyfocusedonIndigenousLawandDiversitywereoffered.Culturalcompetenceandawareness isalso increasingly incorporated intoCPDprogramsonmanydifferentsubjectareas.Wewillcontinuetobuildresourcesinthisareaasweallcontinuetolearn.

••

Education and Competencecontinued from page 165





Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs delivered in 201�-2019 (listdoesnotincludereplays):

1. 2018CentralBar• Part1:RealEstateConveyancing:3TypesofClosing• Part2:BillC-46,CriminalCodeTransportationOffences

2. 2018ChildProtectionProgram3. 2018HotTopicsinRealEstate(2livepresentations)4. 2018HotTopicsinTax:ConsiderationsforYourPracticeStructure,BillingPracticesandIncome5. 2018IsaacPitbladoLectures-ReimaginingJustice:Trust,TruthandTransformation(s)

6. 2018NorthernBar• Part1:NorthernPractice,ChildProtectionFocus• Part2:NorthernPractice,General

7. 2018WesternBar:CulturalDiversity&PractisingLaw8. 2019JointFamilyLawProgram:TheTimesTheyareaChangin’9. Àlapoursuitedesprécédents-Conseilsetpiègesconcernantl’utilisationdesmodèlesd’actes10. ActiveShooter-WhatShouldyouKnow?11. CaseManagementandtheFamilyLawCaseFlowintheRegions(2livepresentations)12. CLIACyberLiabilityInsuranceGroupPolicy13. CompaniesOnline–ALiveSystemDemonstration14. ConsideringCannabis:CannabisLegalizationandImpactsintheWorkplace15. ConsideringCannabis:ReformstoTransportationOffencesandDrug-ImpairedDrivingOffences16. CulturalDiversity&PractisingLaw17. DraftingWills101(2livepresentations)18. EstateAdministration101(2livepresentations)19. HowtoNavigateTheNewFamilyModel:Processes,RulesandPrescribedForms20. ImplementationoftheNewChildProtectionModelinBrandonandDauphinCentres21. IndigenousLawProgram:TebwetaAjiimowin-ToTelltheTruth

22. OpeningandOperatingaTrustAccount: TheBasicsPart1-CoreConcepts&AccountingRecords

23. OpeningandOperatingaTrustAccount: TheBasicsPart2-Hands-onLearning:APracticalScenario

24. PrivacyPlease:NewMandatoryBreachReportingRequirementsunderPIPEDA25. ProcrastinationandProfessionalLiabilityInsuranceClaims26. RenouncingU.S.Citizenship-Why,HowandWhataretheConsequences?27. Tax101forCommercialLawyers28. TheNewCivilQueen’sBenchRules–FromPrinciplestoPractice29. TheNewFamilyModel:Processes,RulesandPrescribedForms30. TrustSafetyProgram(4livepresentations)31. Valuations&AccountingIssuesunderTheFamilyPropertyAct(FPA):WhatEveryLawyerNeedstoKnow



Practice Resources

WhileCPDprogramsremainanimportantaspectoftheworkoftheEducationandCompetenceDepartment,in2018-20 19 weincreasedoureffortstodevelopotherpracticeresources.

Written materials (from CPD programs or the former CPLED resource material) have always been made available to the legalprofession,however,anumberoftheseresourceshavebeenreviewedinthepastyearandarenowunderre-developmentforreleaseintheupcoming year. For example, we are working on a variety of online resources relating to trust accounting and law practicemanagement.

TheeLawelectronicupdateseries isanother toolwehaveoffered toenhance thecompetenceofManitoba lawyers. In2018-2019subscribinglawyersreceivedfreeperiodicemailupdatesoncases,legislation,regulatorychanges,andeducationalresourcesin7broadpracticeareas.ThisresourceisalsopartoftheLawSociety’sresourcereviewandrenewalplanfor2019-2020.

TheLawSociety is committed tomakingprofessional development resourcesaccessible toall of ourmembers, regardlessof theirgeographic location. Aspart of that initiativewevideo recordmostof our liveCPDsessionsandmake those recordingsavailableto our members on DVD and via cpdonline.A number of live in person sessions are also simultaneously available via webinar orteleconference.

TheLawSocietyisawarethatanotheraspectofaccessibilityiscost.Programsareofferedwithverycompetitiveregistrationfees.Afewprogramswereofferedforfreein2018-2019andthesecontinuetobeavailableforfreeviacpdonline.

Partnerships

TheLawSocietycollaborateswithotherorganizationsinordertoprovidethedepthandbreadthofavailableprograms.Wearegratefulforthesupportandexpertisethesepartnerorganizationsprovide.

Partnersincluded:

• ManitobaBarAssociationanditssubsectionsincludingFamilyLawandFrench-speakingLawyers;

• FacultyofLaw,UniversityofManitoba;

• Queen’sBenchJudges,particularlytheFamilyDivision;

• TheProvincialCourtJudges;and

• Northern,CentralandWesternBarAssociations.


Professional Liability Claims Fund

The Law Society established the Reimbursement Fund (the“Fund”)in1943tocompensateclientsforlossesresultingfromthemisappropriation or conversion by lawyers of client funds orproperty.ThisFundismaintainedsolelyforthebenefitofclientswhosufferlossesthroughthedishonestyoflawyers.Itisfinancedby an annual assessment on all practising lawyers within theprovince. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, all practicing lawyerspaidthesumof$300intotheFund.TheLawSocietymaintainsinsuranceintheamountof$10millionontheFund.

The initial payout on any approved claim is limited to $100,000.At theendofa fiscalyear, if the totalawardsdonotexceed theannualretention($1million)plustheinsuranceontheFund,thenthebalanceunpaidonanyapprovedclaimwillbepaidouttogetherwithinterestatThe Court of Queen’s Bench Actprejudgment interest

ratesfromthedateoftheinitialpayment.Iftheaggregateclaimsawardsexceedtheannualretentionplustheinsurancecoverage,paymentsinexcessof$100,000willbeprorated.Thereisalimitonrecoveryof$300,000perfile.Thereisnolimitonthenumberofclaimsanindividualmaybring.

Reimbursement Fund claims guidelines are considered indecidingwhethertoapproveaclaim.Claimantsareprovidedwithanapplicationformandacopyof thepaymentguidelineswhichsetout the terms for the submission, consideration and payment ofclaims.

In the 2018-2019 fiscal year $48,894 was paid out of theReimbursementFund.TheFundrecovered$18,032leavinganetamountof$30,861.

Reimbursement Fund

The Professional Liability Claims Fund of the Law Society ofManitobaprovidesprofessional liability insurancecoverage toallManitobalawyersexceptthosewhoareexemptunderThe Legal Profession Act. The Professional Liability Claims Fund under-goesanindependentactuarialvaluationtoestablishtheprogram’sactuarial liabilities and surplus position and recommend theappropriate insurance assessment. This process ofindependentactuarialadviceandcollectingsufficientfundsforeachpolicyyearensuresthatexpected losseswillbefully fundedandallowsforanadequatesurplustocoverunexpectedclaimsdevelop-ment.Inthe2018-2019fiscalyear,theinsuranceassessmentwasleviedat$1,645plusapplicablesalestaxes,includingcyberliabilitycoverage.

The Law Society and eight other provincial and territorial LawSocieties participate in the Canadian Lawyers InsuranceAssociation (CLIA), a reciprocal insurance exchange. CLIAissues a comprehensive Policy of Insurance to the Law SocietyasNamedInsuredandmembersoftheLawSocietyasInsureds.ThePolicy insures lawyers fordamagesand legalcostsofup to

$1Millionpererrorand$2Millionannuallyforclaimsallegingerrorsoromissionsmadeinthecourseofprovidingprofessionalservicestoothers.Whenaclaimmadeagainstalawyerispaid,thatlawyerpaysadeductiblerangingfrom$5,000to$20,000,dependingonthelawyer’spaidclaimsexperienceinthepreviousfiveyearperiod.

The Law Society has a Professional Liability Claims FundCommitteewhichdealswithpolicymattersaffectingtheinsuranceprogramastheyarise.

During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Insurance Program paidclaims totalling $364,023 in damages and $624,021 in legaldefencecosts.Thiscomparesto$1,544,109inclaimsand$374,563inlegaldefencecostspaidduringthepreviousfiscalyear.

The Professional Liability Claims Fund also funds various lossprevention initiatives including a retainer agreement with Bjorn(Barney) Christianson, Q.C. to provide free practice advisoryservices tomembersonabroad rangeof practicemanagementareas.


Audit ProgramAspartofthepracticeoflaw,lawyersareroutinelyrequiredtoholdmoneyintrustonbehalfoftheirclients.Forexample,alawyermayholdmoney related toa realestate transactionorasasettlementbetweenparties.Trustmoneyalsoincludesretainerfundsprovidedby a client for future legal fees and disbursements. Trust moneydoesnotbelongtothelawyerandtherefore,therearespecificrulesestablishedtoensurethesefundsareproperlysafeguarded.

TheAuditDepartmentmonitorscompliancewith theLawSociety’sregulationsthroughtwomainprocesses:

• TrustSafety• SpotAudit• CheckUp

Trust Safety ProgramIn 2018-2019, an exciting and proactive trust safety program wasdeveloped, based upon the fundamental principle that having atrustaccountisaprivilegeandnotarightoflawyers.LawSocietyRules, settingout theparametersof theprogramwerepassedbythe benchers in December 2018 with an implementation date ofApril 1, 2019. After this date, all law firms that wish to operate atrust account are required to have a supervising lawyer apply forpermission, complete an online course and pass an examinationprior toopeninga trustaccount. Forpractitionersor firmsalreadyoperatingatrustaccountwhentheprogramtookeffect,atransitionalperiod has been provided whereby the approval and educationrequirementsmustbemetbyOctober1,2019.

Spot Audit ProgramGiventhatlawyersarerequiredtokeeptheirtrustandgeneralaccountrecordsuptodateatalltimes,thespotauditisgenerallyconductedwithoutpriornoticetoafirmsothattheauditorwillobservethelawfirm’s records in their usual state. There are four types of auditsconducted:

1) New Firm auditsaregenerallyconductedwithinthefirstyearofafirmopeningitsfirsttrustaccount;

2) Regular audits areconductedofallManitobalawfirmsonarotationalbasis;

3) Priority auditsareconductedoffirmshavingahistoryoftrustaccountproblemsorifinformationreceivedbytheLawSocietysuggestsa law firm isofhigher riskandshouldbeauditedsoonerthantheregularrotation;and

4) Closing audits maybeconductedwhenafirmisclosingatrustaccountandotherriskfactorsorcircumstancesdictatethatanauditisappropriate.

DuringthefiscalyearendedMarch31,2019,thefollowingauditswerecompleted:

RegularAudits 54NewAudits 13PriorityAudits 2ClosingAudits 4Total 73

Thetotalof73auditsisslightlylowerthanprioryeartotalsof88and96in2018and2017,respectively.However,itwasexpectedduetosomesignificantlytimeconsumingaudits,anincreaseintimespentoncustodialassistance,andtheresourcesneededtotransitiontothetrustsafetyprogram.

Results of AuditsDuring the past year, 96% of the audits completed showedthat members were generally complying with the Law Society’saccounting requirementsandproperlyhandlingclient trust funds.The other 4% of members audited showed many and/or seriousaccountingdeficienciesormishandlingoftrustfunds.Theseresultsarelargelysimilartothelasttwoyears.

InvestigationsIn comparison to a spot audit, an investigation involves moreextensiveandindepthauditproceduresofthelawfirm’srecords.AninvestigationmaybeinitiatedasaresultofacomplaintorotherinformationreceivedfromoutsidetheLawSociety.Alternativelyaspotauditmayevolveintoafullinvestigationduetotheinitialaudituncoveringseriousdeficienciesorconductissues.Insomecasesthemisconductinvolvesamisappropriationoftrustfunds.

In 2019, the Audit Department did not have any investigationsarise.

Check Up ProgramAspartofthetrustsafetyprogram,theannualtrustaccountreportprocesswasdiscontinuedafter theJune30 trustyearend filingsandanewcheck-upprogramwas launched. Thisentailsabriefcontactwithfirmsduringtheyeartoobservethatthedailyrecordsandtrustreconciliationsarecurrentandtobrieflyreviewtherecordstoidentifyanyissuesforfollowup.ThisprogramtookeffectbeforeMarch31,2019,and7check-upswerecompletedbytheendofthefiscalperiod.



Other Activities of the Audit DepartmentTheAuditDepartmentworkscloselywiththeDisciplineDepartmentandtheComplaintsResolutionDepartmentregardingmemberswithtrustaccountrelatedissues.Thisalsoincludesprovidingcustodialassistancewhereamemberhasbeensuspended,disbarredorhaspassedawaywithoutasuccessionplan.

TheEarlyMonitoringPrograminitiatesearlycontactwithmemberswhoopenatrustaccount.Thiscontacttakesplacepriortoanewfirmaudit.Inthe2019fiscalperiod,18firmsweremonitoredaspartofthisprogram,anincreaseof3whencomparedwith2018.

The Ongoing Monitoring Program is used for firms that require follow up sooner than the next audit or check-up, and are beingmonitoredforspecificissues.Eachyearonlyahandfuloffirmsaremonitoredinthisfashion,andin2019thattrendcontinuedwithonefirmmonitoredaspartofthisprogram.

Inadditiontotheabove,theauditorsrespondtoawiderangeofqueriesfromlawyersandtheirsupportstaffregardingtrustaccountingandrelatedmatters.

TheAuditDepartmentalsoprovidesmoreformaleducationalassistancetotheEducationandCompetenceDepartmentbyprovidingmaterialsforCPLED.

Audit Programcontinued from page 21


Benchers

The Benchers of The Law Society of Manitoba

201�-2019

Front Row: (L to R) JamesMcLandress,PastPresident,KatherineBueti,President,KristinDangerfield,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,AnitaSouthall,Vice-PresidentSecond Row:PatriciaKloepfer,SusanBoulter,RichardBuchwald,KarenWebb,LyndaTroup,KyleDear,GerriWiebe,LeahKosokowsky,DirectorofRegulationBack Row:GrantDriedger,VincentSinclair,BrianMcLeod,AshleyJoyce,NeilCohen,Officer-At-Large,SachaPaul,WayneOnchulenko Absent: Dr.AmarjitArneja,Dr. JonathanBlack-Branch,MiriamBrowne,VictoriaCornick,BrittanyGoodman,AnnetteHorst,TheresaMcDonald,ChristianMonnin,JoelRefvik,OmarSid-diqui

Officers

(effectiveMay24,2018)

President: KatherineL.BuetiVice-President: AnitaL.M.SouthallPastPresident: JamesE.McLandressOfficer-at-Large: NeilCohen

2� 201� Annual Report The Law Society of Manitoba

Elected Benchers(electedforatwoyeartermonMay2,2018)

Winnipeg Electoral DistrictRichardD.BuchwaldKatherineL.BuetiKyleL.Dear1

AnnetteJ.R.Horst2

WayneM.OnchulenkoSachaR.PaulAnitaL.M.SouthallLyndaK.TroupGeraldineF.Wiebe

Eastern Electoral DistrictGrantM.Driedger

Dauphin-Central Electoral DistrictShaunaL.McCarthy3

Northern Electoral DistrictTheresaL.McDonald4VincentG.Sinclair5

Western Electoral DistrictAshleyT.Joyce

Appointed Benchers(appointedforatwoyeartermeffectiveJuly1,2018)

M.VictoriaCornickChristianL.MonninOmarA.SiddiquiVincentG.Sinclair6

KarenL.Webb7

Lay Benchers(appointedforatwoyeartermonSeptember14,2018)

Dr.AmarjitArnejaSusanBoulterMiriamBrowneNeilCohenMarstonGrindey8

PatriciaKloepfer9BrianMcLeod

Faculty BencherDr.JonathanBlack-Branch

Student BencherJoelA.E.Refvik10BrittanyK.Goodman11

Life Benchers

Winnipeg Electoral DistrictHon.DouglasN.AbraHon.LaurieP.AllenDouglasA.BedfordTedE.BockGregoryG.Brodsky,Q.C.RobertaL.CampbellMasterKarenL.ClearwaterJenniferA.Cooper,Q.C.J.GeorgeDangerfield,Q.C.RichardK.Deeley,Q.C.Hon.RobertA.DewarDouglasE.Finkbeiner,Q.C.DavidG.Frayer,Q.C.Hon.MartinH.FreedmanWilliamS.GangeSidneyGreen,Q.C.Hon.JohnP.GuyWilliamG.HaightHon.BarbaraM.HamiltonIreneA.HamiltonJeffB.HirschPaulL.JensenHon.TimothyJ.P.KilleenBryanD.KleinChristinaV.Kopynsky,Q.C.Hon.DavidJ.KroftHeatherS.Leonoff,Q.C.

ColinR.MacArthur,Q.C.Hon.E.AlanD.MacInnesJamesE.McLandressGrantL.Mitchell,Q.C.E.WilliamOlson,Q.C.ChrysPappas,Q.C.BrianA.PaulsHerbertJ.PetersHon.RobertL.PollackG.PatrickS.RileyDeanI.ScalettaHon.PerryW.SchulmanHon.RichardJ.ScottGarthH.Smorang,Q.C.Hon.LoriT.SpivakHon.P.ColleenSucheHelgaD.VanIderstineDouglasG.Ward,Q.C.HymieWeinstein,Q.C.GavinM.Wood

Eastern Electoral DistrictPeterJ.E.Cole,Q.C.JohnE.Neufeld,Q.C.JonvanderKrabbenLewisD.Wasel

Central Electoral DistrictJohn(Jack)D.CramBjornChristianson,Q.C.GaryR.GilmourGordonJ.HoeschenBrockG.Lee,Q.C.DianeH.StevensonDavidE.Swayze

Northern Electoral DistrictGordonD.BatesJohnM.Ginnell,Q.C.DavidN.GrayDonaldR.Knight,Q.C.

Dauphin Electoral DistrictHon.JohnA.MenziesAlanJ.Semchuk

Western Electoral DistrictGeorgeN.Bass,Q.C.Hon.JohnH.CombsPatriciaL.FraserHon.WilliamR.JohnstonHon.DonaldM.LittleCol.WolfgangW.A.Riedel,Q.C.NormanH.Sims,Q.C.

1Became a Bencher in December 20182 Ceased to be a Bencher in October 20183Ceased to be a Bencher in March 20194 Ceased to be a Bencher in October 20185Appointed to fill district vacancy in November 20186See endnote 57Became a Bencher in December 20188Ceased to be a Bencher in November 20189Became a Bencher in November 201810 Ceased to be Student Bencher in September 201811Became Student Bencher in September 2018


CommitteesStanding Committees

Note:ThePresidentandVice-Presidentareex-officiomembersofallcommitteesexcepttheAdmissionsandEducationAppealsSubcommiteeandtheDisciplineCommittee.

♦ Denotes Life Bencher

*Denotes Volunteer**Denotes Public Representative

● Denotes Stakeholder Representative

Admissions and Education CommitteeAshleyJoyce(Chairperson)SachaPaul(Vice-Chair)KimAntonio*Dr.AmarjitArnejaDr.JonathanBlack-BranchVictoriaCornick3

JoyceDalmyn*KyleDearBrittanyGoodman3

ElliotLeven*BrytonMoen*KarinePelletier*JoelRefvik4

DeanScaletta♦VincentSinclair

Admissions and Education Appeals Subcommittee

AshleyJoyce(Chairperson)SachaPaul(Vice-Chair)KimAntonio*Dr.AmarjitArnejaDr.JonathanBlack-BranchSusanBoulterMiriamBrowneJoyceDalmyn*KyleDearBrittanyGoodman3

MarstonGrindey**ElliotLeven*PatriciaKloepfer3

LynneMcCarthy**BrytonMoen*KennethMolloy**MaureenMorrison**CarmenNedohin**SandraOakley**KarinePelletier*JoelRefvik4

KeelyRichmond**DeanScaletta♦VincentSinclairJimWolfe**8

Complaints Investigation CommitteeGrantDriedger(Chairperson)LyndaTroup(Vice-Chair)JeremyAkerstream*SusanBoulterMiriamBrownePeterCole,Q.C.♦AshleyJoyceShaunaMcCarthy7

ElizabethMurray*WayneOnchulenkoVivianRachlis*JessicaSaunders*HelgaVanIderstine♦

Discipline CommitteeHon.RichardScott♦(Chairperson)AnnetteHorst5(Vice-Chair)ShaunaMcCarthy611(Vice-Chair)TedBock♦(Conflicts)Dr.AmarjitArnejaGordonBates♦DouglasBedford♦VictorBellay*Dr.JonathanBlack-BranchRichardBuchwaldRobertaCampbell♦BjornChristianson,Q.C.♦NeilCohenJohn(Jack)Cram♦RichardDeeley,Q.C.♦DonaldDouglas*LoriFergusonSain*DouglasFinkbeiner,Q.C.♦MichaelFinlayson*CatherineFinnbogason*PatriciaFraser♦WilliamGange♦GaryGilmour♦JenniferGoldenberg*1

RichardGood*DavidGray♦MarstonGrindey**WilliamHaight♦IreneHamilton♦

JamesHedley*JeffHirsch♦JakeJanzen*PatriciaKloepfer3

DonaldKnight,Q.C.♦BrockLee,Q.C.♦EllenLeibl,Q.C.*HeatherLeonoff,Q.C.♦LynneMcCarthy**TheresaMcDonald5

JamesMcLandress♦BrianMcLeodGrantMitchell,Q.C.♦KennethMolloy**MaureenMorrison**CarmenNedohin**JohnNeufeld,Q.C.♦SandraOakley**SachaPaulBrianPauls♦HerbertPeters♦KeelyRichmond**G.PatrickRiley♦5

DeanScaletta♦HarveySecter*AlanSemchuk♦JamesShaw*OmarSiddiquiNormanSims,Q.C.♦VincentSinclairGarthSmorang,Q.C.♦GrantStefanson*DianeStevenson♦WendyStewart*DavidSwayze♦MarkToews*CatherineTolton*Dr.LornaTurnbull*JonvanderKrabben♦KarenWebbGeraldineWiebeJimWolfe**8



Equity CommitteeSachaPaul(Chairperson)OmarSiddiqui(Vice-Chair)Dr.JonathanBlack-BranchNeilCohenVictoriaCornick3

KyleDearElliotLeven*TheresaMcDonald5

BrianMcLeodElissaNeville*SandraPhillips*MichaelReimer*3

Professional Liability Claims Fund CommitteeAshleyJoyce(Chairperson)VincentSinclair(Vice-Chair)Dr.AmarjitArnejaRichardBuchwaldKellyDixon*FaronTrippier*GeraldineWiebeBradleyZander*

Reimbursement Fund Claims CommitteeShaunaMcCarthy11(Chairperson)WayneOnchulenko(Vice-Chair)Dr.AmarjitArnejaKellyDixon*KirstyElgert*IssieFrost*OmarSiddiquiGeraldineWiebe

continued from page 25

Standing Committees...continued

Practice and Ethics CommitteeShaunaMcCarthy11(Chairperson)GrantDriedger(Vice-Chair)JeremyAkerstream*JeanelleAllard*AlexandraAquila*AlexanderBainov*SusanBaragar*RichardBuchwaldAshleyJoyceSidneyLaviolette*BrianMcLeodChristianMonnin3

HelgaVanIderstine♦GeraldineWiebeNormanYusim*BradleyZander*

Committees



1Became a committee member June 20182 Ceased to be a committee member June 20183 Became a committee member September 20184 Ceased to be a committee member September 20185 Ceased to be a committee member October 20186 Became a committee member November 20187 Ceased to be a committee member November 20188 Ceased to be a committee member December 20189 Became a committee member January 201910 Ceased to be a committee member January 201911 Ceased to be a committee member March 2019

Access to Justice Steering CommitteeNeilCohen(Co-Chairperson)AnnetteHorst5(Co-Chairperson)KarenWebb6(Co-Chairperson)Dr. Jonathan Black-Branch●IreneHamilton♦JeffHirsch♦Cynthia Lau●10

Samuel Raposo●Diane Redsky●Associate Chief Justice Marianne Rivoalen●7

Lavonne Ross●Sr. Lesley Sacouman●Ian Scarth●9

Access Stakeholders Sub-CommitteeNeilCohen(Chairperson)AnnetteHorst5(Vice-Chair)KarenWebb6(Vice-Chair)Dr. Jonathan Black-Branch●Natasha Brown●9

Shauna Curtin●2

Karen Dyck●Bruce Gammon●Acting Ast. Deputy Minister Suzanne Gervais●1

Ghezae Hagos Berhe●1

Paula Hamilton●JeffHirsch♦●Hon. Gerald Jewers●Associate Chief Judge Anne Krahn●Julyda Lagimodiere●Cynthia Lau●10

HeatherLeonoff,Q.C.♦●4

Damarys Ramirez●2

Associate Chief Justice Marianne Rivoalen●7

Lavonne Ross●Karen Sawatzky●9

Ian Scarth●9

Ainslie Schroeder●Janet Sigurdson●Mary Troszko●

Investment CommitteeWayneOnchulenko(Chairperson)BrianMcLeod(Vice-Chair)IreneHamilton♦AnnetteHorst5

PatriciaKloepfer3

BrianLerner*DeanScaletta♦SeanShore*DavidSwayze♦

Richard J. Scott Award Selection CommitteeHon.RichardScott♦(Chairperson)KatherineBuetiNeilCohenMadamJusticeFredaSteel*HelgaVanIderstine♦

Special Committees/Working Groups

The President’s Special Committee on the Delivery of Legal ServicesLyndaTroup(Chairperson)NeilCohen(Vice-Chair)AnnetteHorst5

TedBock♦SusanBoulterMiriamBrowneRobertaCampbell♦KyleDear6

RichardGood*SharonKravetsky*TheresaMcDonald5

JamesMcLandress♦ChristianMonnin3

SachaPaulOmarSiddiquiKarenWebb

Committeescontinued from page 26


Staff

Executive and AdministrationChiefExecutiveOfficer KristinDangerfieldAssistanttoChiefExecutiveOfficerandBenchers PatBourbonnaisDirectorofRegulation LeahC.KosokowskyAssistanttoDirectorofRegulationandFamilyLawAccessCentreAdministrator DebraRossolDirectorofPolicyandEthicsandGeneralCounsel DarciaC.SenftEquityOfficerandPolicyCounsel AlissaR.SchacterChiefFinancialOfficer ColleenD.MaloneAssistanttoChiefFinancialOfficer CarolHiebertDirectorofInformationTechnology SeanRiveraDirectorofInformationSystemsDevelopment SimonYoungCommunicationsOfficer DeirdreO’Reilly1

OfficeManager GracePageOfficeClerk DanaEarleyEventCoordinator ElaineKinchen2

OfficeReceptionist ShariLough

Admissions and Membership DepartmentDirectorofAdmissionsandMembership RichardC.M.PorcherAssistanttoDirector DonnaMihalickAdministrativeAssistant DarleneDouglasAdministrativeAssistant KellyJordanov

Discipline/Prosecutions DepartmentHearingCounsel RockyH.KravetskyAssistanttoHearingCounsel AnnaBrownAssistanttoDisciplineCommittee Lee-AnnHarrison

Complaints Resolution DepartmentDirectorofComplaintsResolution NoeliaBernardoLegalCounsel SusanD.BillinkoffLegalCounsel ChristopherC.DonaldsonLegalCounsel JenniferL.HouserParalegal StefanieKrochakFeeArbitrationCoordinator DebraRossolAssistanttoDirectorandLegalCounsel CorinnePenner

Insurance DepartmentDirectorofInsurance TanaP.ChristiansonCounsel KathleenM.T.CratonCounsel JamesA.CoxAssistanttoDirectorandCounsel HeatherVanrobaeysAssistanttoDirectorandCounsel KristinForbister



Professional Education and Competence DepartmentDirectorofEducation JoanM.HolmstromDirectorofProfessionalCompetence EileenS.DerksenCounsel-OnlineEducation IanF.Blomeley3

Counsel-Publications EllenJ.HenryProgramCounsel P.VivianHilderProgramCounsel BettaB.WishartCPLEDRegistrar LisaEhnesProgramsandCommunicationAssistant DeirdreO’Reilly4

ProgramsandRegistrationAssistant KirstyHydukProgramsandPublicationAssistant LauraZiemanski

Audit DepartmentDirectorofAudit KathyL.LevacqueAuditor/Inspector SandraA.AlleyneAuditor/Inspector JingFengAuditor/Inspector DeborahMetcalfeAssistanttoAuditor/Inspectors KellyJordanov

continued from page 28

Staff

1Became Communications Officer in January 20192 Joined the Law Society in November 20183 Left the Law Society in February 20194 See Endnote 1

Documents

The Law Society of Manitoba 2 0 1 9€¦ · the first event I attended as President was a Pride Reception that was jointly sponsored by the Sexual Kathy Bueti Orientation and Gender