We are pleased to announce that Cori Ghitter, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Policy and Education, is this year’s recipient of the Women in Law Leadership (WILL) Leadership in the Profession (Broader Roles) Award. 

“I've had the benefit of watching some amazing people receive this award and hearing some incredible speakers from Chief Justice McLachlin to Justice Abella to Justice Martin, and many others who received Lifetime Achievement awards,” says Cori. “I’ve been inspired by what these people have accomplished and contributed to the legal profession. The fact that my peers would nominate me and that I was accepted means a lot to me.”

Since coming to the Law Society in 2014, Cori has harnessed her unique leadership style which focuses on collaboration, empowerment and approaching every project with enthusiasm to advance important initiatives. Some of these initiatives include changing the learning plan for articling students, introducing the innovation sandbox for legal service providers and advancing our lawyer competence and equity, diversity and inclusion work.

“The Law Society has benefitted greatly from Cori’s contributions since she joined us in 2013 and her enthusiasm and commitment to our work has helped to advance our strategic goals. We are very proud to call Cori one of our own," says Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Elizabeth J. Osler, QC.

The Law Society would like to extend our most sincere congratulations to the other WILL award winners for 2021:

Committees are essential to the work of the Law Society. Diverse perspectives play an important role in helping us achieve our mission of serving the public interest by ensuring a high standard of legal services and professional conduct. Volunteer positions are now available for both committees and advisory committees at the Law Society.

Committee members are appointed for a three-year term and advisory committee members are appointed for a minimum two-year term renewable to a maximum of five consecutive years. All active, practising lawyers are eligible for committee positions. Committee appointments will be approved at the February 2022 Bencher meeting.

If you are interested in volunteering on the above committees, please fill out the online application form.

Please note: The deadline for applications is Oct. 31, 4:30 p.m. MST. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and it is the responsibility of the applicants to ensure their applications are complete.

Losing someone you care about is traumatic. Losing someone you care about during a pandemic is even more traumatic. How do we cope with traumatic losses when we are already stressed?

Assist’s psychological services provider Dr. Brian Forbes has worked extensively with individuals suffering grief and trauma over his career. “Lawyers and students have lost friends, family members, colleagues and clients to COVID, accidents, suicide, terminal illnesses and other causes. Many ask how to cope, and how they can know if their reactions are normal.”

When people experience loss or other trauma, they may experience a wide range of reactions, from insomnia to difficulties focusing, to mood swings and sadness.

The Alberta Personal Property Security Act (PPSA) came into force in 1990 and produced a significant improvement in secured transactions in Alberta by removing many of the restrictions and limitations that prevented the use of secured credit. It has become clear, however, that updates in some areas are needed to address ambiguities and developments in e-commerce.

Final Report 116, Personal Property Security Law aims to increase certainty in secured transactions law with recommendations to bring the PPSA up-to-date and inline with other Canadian jurisdictions. Access the report here.

In the July 21, 2021 Notice to the Profession and Public, the Court of Appeal announced that effective Nov. 1, 2021, it would resume in-person proceedings for all appeal sittings and applications before three-judge panels. Unless otherwise directed, all proceedings including applications before a single judge, appeal conferences, appellate judicial dispute resolution and bar admissions—will continue to be heard electronically by videoconference or teleconference until Jan.1, 2022. Read the full notice.

Read this announcement for more information on changes to criminal and traffic court matters.

Chief Judge Derek Redman of the Provincial Court of Alberta is pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Robin Snider to the role of Assistant Chief Judge, Central Region. Read more about Judge Robin Snider here.

Visit our website for a list of upcoming events.