November 4, 2019
Law Society Launches Respectful Workplace Model Policy
The Law Society of Alberta is pleased to provide a Respectful Workplace Model Policy that your firm or organization is encouraged to adapt and use. The purpose of any Respectful Workplace policy is to explain what is meant by discrimination, harassment, and violence, and to make workplaces safe for all employees. A Respectful Workplace policy also sets into motion the development and review of procedures to report discrimination or harassment without fear of retaliation.

In addition to the model policy, we are developing guides for employees and employers to further understand the model policy. The employee guide explains how the policy protects employees when they experience discrimination, harassment and violence in the workplace. It also provides additional resources for employees to seek assistance. The employer guide explains how to implement the model policy and why it’s important. These guides will be released shortly.

We developed the Respectful Workplace Model Policy in response to two important considerations: recent changes to legislation governing workplaces, and discrimination and harassment issues revealed in our recent articling survey results report . 

Respectful Workplace Model Policy Training Opportunities

Join Elizabeth Aspinall, Equity Ombudsperson & Practice Advisor and Nancy Carruthers, Senior Manager of Policy and Ethics, as they walk through the Respectful Workplace Model Policy, why it was developed and tips on how to implement it at your firm or organization.

Registration is limited to the first 150 registrants in each city. Lunch will be provided.

Calgary - Fostering a Respectful Workplace: Your Firm’s Responsibilities and Policy 
Fort Calgary 
Wednesday, November 20 
Noon - 1:30 p.m.  
Password: RESPECT

Webinar - Fostering a Respectful Workplace: Your Firm’s Responsibilities and Policy 
Wednesday, November 27
Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Edmonton - Fostering a Respectful Workplace: Your Firm’s Responsibilities and Policy 
The Westin Edmonton  
Wednesday, December 4
Noon - 1:30 p.m.  
Password: RESPECT
Congratulations to the 2019 WILL Award Recipients
The Law Society of Alberta congratulations all of the 2019 Women in Law Leadership (WILL) award recipients :

  • Leadership in the Profession (Private Practice) – Lillian Y. Pan QC
  • Leadership in the Profession (In-House) – Naomi Schmold
  • Leadership in the Profession (Government) – Dale Wispinski
  • Leadership in the Profession (Broader Roles) – Elizabeth J. Osler
  • Leadership in the Community – Patricia L. Blocksom QC, AOE
  • Tomorrow’s Leader – Koren Lightning-Earle
  • Law Firm Award – Field Law

We are proud to call two of these women our own: Elizabeth J. Osler, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director and Koren Lightning-Earle, Indigenous Initiatives Liaison.
Elizabeth J. Osler Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

Elizabeth J. Osler ( pictured right ), Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of the Law Society of Alberta, is this year’s recipient of the Leadership in the Profession in Broader Roles award. This prestigious accolade is part of the WILL awards and is presented annually to a lawyer who has shown exemplary leadership skills in a variety of areas, including diversity initiatives, legal skills and dedication to being a role model for others.

Harnessing her leadership skills, Ms. Osler has been at the helm of several major initiatives during her time at the Law Society. Whether it be internal organizational changes such as investing in leadership training and a sharp focus on increasing internal collaboration, or public-facing elements such as the creation of the Policy Committee and the development of strategic plans, Ms. Osler always gives her best to projects she leads. This is just one of the reasons why Darlene W. Scott, a Bencher since 2014, put forward the nomination.

Koren Lightning-Earle Recognized as Tomorrow’s Leader

Koren Lightning-Earle ( pictured right ), Indigenous Initiatives Liaison of the Law Society of Alberta, is this year’s recipient of the Tomorrow’s Leader award. This prestigious accolade is part of the WILL awards and is presented annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated significant growth, development and initiative throughout her first years of practice, and has shown great promise for superior legal capability and leadership potential through her actions and attitude. Ms. Lightning-Earle, Blue Thunderbird Woman is Cree from Samson Cree Nation. 

As our first Indigenous Initiatives Liaison, Ms. Lightning-Earle has led a program of initiatives to advance the process of reconciliation particularly surrounding access to justice for Indigenous peoples and cultural competency development for staff, lawyers and students. She has advanced our responsibilities to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action in several ways including organizing conferences and training opportunities, revamping the Indigenous Summer Student program and establishing an Indigenous Advisory committee to collect feedback on Indigenous-focused endeavors of the Law Society. 

The Law Society of Alberta is Moving
As a reminder, we are moving effective Tuesday, November 12. To accommodate the move, the Law Society offices will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 8 and be open for regular business on November 12.

Our new address is:
Law Society of Alberta
Suite 700
333 – 11 th  Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
T2R 1L9

Please update your records with our new address. All other contact information remains the same.
Help Prepare Lawyers of Tomorrow: Join the CPLED Team
Meeting the requirements to be called to the Bar takes a team of educators, lawyers, simulated clients, assessors and coaches. The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is recruiting various roles to help deliver the new Bar admission course called the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP). To learn more about these employment opportunities and to apply, check out the Join the Team section on the CPLED website.  

Built on best practices from around the world, PREP delivers practical skills and competencies in an integrated approach that combines interactive, transactional and simulated learning. It consists of four phases, each providing students with an opportunity to interact with lawyers, facilitators and simulated clients to improve their competencies. 

For more information about CPLED, visit their website .