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OTTAWA - The new president of the Canadian Bar Association cites legal aid, title insurance and multi-disciplinary practices as the major challenges facing the CBA as he begins his one-year tenure as President of the 36,000-member body.
"There are two ways we can face the future: with apprehension or with anticipation," says Eugene Meehan of Ottawa, in his inaugural speech at the Young Lawyers' Luncheon at the CBA's Edmonton Annual Conference on Aug. 25. "I anticipate a great future, but a great future is earned, not assumed. We make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give."
"We have work to do in every part of Canada," adds Eugene Meehan. "For example, in B.C. we are concerned about legal aid and access to justice; in Saskatchewan, no-fault insurance is an important issue. In Ontario, the critical challenge is the increase in unauthorized practice of law by paralegals and its effect on the public."
Other challenges to the profession include more funding for the justice system in Alberta; title insurance in Manitoba; pro bono and community service in Quebec; access to courts in New Brunswick. Also on the agenda re more continuing legal education for CBA members in Newfoundland, Yukon and Nova Scotia; along with an increased presence for the CBA in Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Born in Scotland in 1952, Eugene Meehan is a Supreme Court litigator with Lang Michener in Ottawa, specializing in assisting other lawyers who are taking cases to the Supreme Court of Canada. He received his LL.B. from the University of Edinburgh in 1975; his LL.M. from McGill University in 1976; his LL.B. from University of Ottawa in 1978, and his Doctorate in Law from McGill University in 1984. He is a practising member of the Bars of Alberta, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
He and his spouse Giovanna Roccamo (a lawyer with Nelligan Power in Ottawa) have a blended family of four: Naomi, 11; Marc, 10; Mélanie, 9; and Morgan, 7.
After teaching law at the University of Alberta and University of Ottawa, Eugene Meehan was Executive Legal Officer at the Supreme Court of Canada from 1990-1992. A CBA member since 1978, he was founding chair of the Federal Court Bench and Bar Liaison Committee, and has chaired the Law Day Committee in Ottawa since 1992.
Stressing his pride in the legal profession, Mr. Meehan takes a team approach to his presidency. "I am proud to be a lawyer and especially proud of what we do. We can all stand up and be proud of who we are, proud of what we do, and proud of what the CBA does because of the special individuals who do it. None of us is as good as all of us."
Before delivering his address, Eugene Meehan will receive the CBA Presidential chain of office from outgoing President Barry L. Gorlick, Q.C. The Luncheon and all other events at the CBA Annual Conference (Aug. 21-25) are open to the media. Accreditation may be obtained by contacting the CBA Media Centre at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, (780) 429-5615.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 36,000 lawyers, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.

Contact: Hannah Bernstein, Canadian Bar Association 865 Carling Avenue, Suite 500, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5S8 Tel: (613) 237-2925, E-mail: hannahb@cba.org