What Does a Bencher Do?

The upcoming 2023 election for the Law Society’s Board members (Benchers) will be held Nov. 14-21, 2023. To help lawyers better understand Benchers’ roles within the Law Society and legal profession, the Law Society has assembled a brief explainer, entitled What Does a Bencher Do?

Watch the video to learn more.

The Law Society’s Board table has 24 Benchers, comprised of 20 lawyers (either elected in the Bencher Election or appointed via the Bencher Vacancy Policy) and four public Benchers appointed by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. Benchers are responsible for informing the strategic direction of the Law Society while also serving on a variety of committees and task forces aligned with the core work of the Law Society.

For the upcoming election, the Bencher table is seeking candidates who can bring their experiences to advance the strategic work of the Law Society.

The online nomination portal opens Oct. 3, 2023 and all nominations must be submitted by midnight, Oct. 17 to be eligible for nomination. For more information on how to vote or how to become a candidate in the upcoming election, visit the Bencher Election website. 

Join Us: Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program Webinar

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, join the Law Society for a virtual discussion on the Alberta Court of Justice’s newly-created Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program (the Program).

Join Madam Justice Cheryl Arcand-Kootenay of the Court of Justice, Crystal Hayden, a future participant, and the Law Society’s Indigenous Initiatives Counsel, Jessica Buffalo, as they discuss the Indigenous Justice Strategy, the opportunities and lessons learned from the Program and the Court of Justice’s commitment to provide a culturally relevant, restorative and holistic system of justice for Indigenous peoples.

Event Details



Friday, Sept. 29, 2023

Noon – 1 p.m

Via Zoom Webinar – Register here

About the Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program

As part of the Court's Indigenous Justice Strategy, the Court of Justice introduced an Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program in 2023. This program provides an opportunity for lawyers, articling students and law students who identify as Indigenous to gain exposure and insights into the workings of the front lines of the judicial system through meeting with and shadowing Justices of the Court of Justice and Justices of the Peace.

The Shadowing Program pairs the participants with a Justice of the Court of Justice or Justice of the Peace who works with them to develop a program that allows them to observe and discuss court proceedings that reflect their individual interests and priorities.

Recent Amendments to the Income Tax Act that Impact Lawyers

The Law Society would like to bring to lawyers’ attention amendments made to the Income Tax Act (ITA) that impact both trust accounts and reporting obligations in relation to client transactions.

These changes may require lawyers to report on any separate trust accounts they have for particular clients, as well as report on any “reportable transactions” and “notifiable transactions” of clients. Reportable transactions arise in the context of transactions that are "avoidance transactions" resulting in certain tax benefits, and notifiable transactions are transactions designated by the Minister of National Revenue as notifiable.

The amendments are now in force.

While disclosure of information under these various provisions is not required if it is subject to solicitor-client privilege, the application of this protection in particular cases may be unclear. There is currently a lack of guidance as to how these new provisions will be interpreted and how they will impact lawyers.

It is hoped that guidance will be coming soon. In the meantime, it is important for active lawyers to understand what the amendments say and to consider how they may impact their practice and tax reporting obligations.

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