Five Lawyers received this award – the highest honour provided by the CBABC in recognition of community involvement and contributions outside of the practice of law.

Perry Ehrlich and Kenneth Walton, CBABC President

Linda Robertson and Kenneth Walton, CBABC President

Theresa Arsenault, Pushor Mitchell LLP, Kelowna Ms. Arsenault receives the Community Service Award in recognition of the positive impact she has had on her community by actively promoting the increased provision of post secondary education. She was instrumental in the formation of the “Friends of Okanagan College”, an organization that successfully campaigned to have the College Okanagan to granted degree-giving status. In his letter recommending Ms. Arsenault for this award former Mayor of Kelowna Walter Gray wrote, “Theresa and her team were successful in bringing to Kelowna a new era for post secondary education, and this was of benefit for not only Kelowna, but for all of the satellite campuses throughout the Okanagan Valley”.

Perry Ehrlich, Kahn Zack Ehrlich Lithwick, Vancouver Mr. Ehrlich is being honoured for his tireless dedication to the Vancouver music theatre training program, “Gotta Sing/Gotta Dance”. Both founder and director of the program, Mr. Ehrlich has been able to balance his busy legal practice with his love of musical theatre and working with children. Billy Garton who, along with two others, nominated Mr. Ehrlich for this award says “In running this program Perry brings great credit to our profession and to the people he works with, volunteer and otherwise. Many of the students (including my son) have gone on to careers in music, theatre, dance and other performing arts.”

James Legh, Stevenson Luchies & Legh, Victoria James Legh’s exceptional, decades long contributions as a volunteer with the Scouting movement are being recognized with this Award. Mr. Legh’s nominators wrote “Jim’s involvement has not been one year only. He has been an active leader, continuously since his work as an assistant cub leader in 1975. For over 30 years he has worked with youth both in Manitoba and British Columbia … Hundreds of people today are able to credit Jim with instilling valuable skills that they are able to carry with them throughout their lives.”

Suzette Narbonne, Narbonne Law Office, Prince Rupert Recipient Suzette Narabonne is recognized for devoting herself to promotion of physical fitness in her community. An accomplished marathon runner in her own right, Ms. Narabonne is lauded by her nominators as “a positive role model to others in the community and is relentless in her efforts to encourage and facilitate “running” in her County.” Ms. Narabonne is also a Governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia where she works and assists community groups in the understanding of human rights legislation and tribunals, employment rights and gender issues.

Linda Robertson, North Vancouver Ms. Robertson, a Lawyer Coach and Practice Consultant based in the Lower Mainland, is being awarded the Community Service Award in recognition for her work with the Anglican Church of Canada, Diocese of New Westminster, commitment to CBABC’s Women Lawyer forum and her invaluable support for a diverse range of education and community organisations. In her letter recommending Ms. Roberstson for this award, The Honourable S.D. Frame, Provincial Court Judge says “There can be no question that her efforts on behalf of the legal community are invaluable. The (Women Lawyers) Forum programmes are very successful and have assisted many young (and senior) lawyers.

[posted June 25, 2008]