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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2000

HALIFAX - The Canadian Bar Association's Public Sector Lawyers Conference (PSLC) has selected Jerry McHale of Victoria as this year's recipient of the John Tait Award of Excellence.

"Jerry's approach to the practice of law proceeds from his unimpeachable good character and reputation for high professional integrity and honesty, along with experience and values forged in private practice," says CBA President Eugene Meehan, Q.C. of Ottawa.

A lawyer since 1980, Jerry McHale is currently the Director of the Dispute Resolution Office, British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General. He is responsible for the development of dispute resolution programs in the court system and government. He also acts as a liaison among the bench, the Bar, the community and the government on dispute resolution matters.

Mr. McHale's dedication to the legal profession, in particular his leadership in the area of alternative dispute resolution, is far-reaching. Among other accomplishments, he has been a member of the Mediation Sub-Committee of the Law Society's Professional Standards Committee since its inception; he has spearheaded the Mediation Development Association of B.C.; has taught a course on Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution at the University of Victoria, and he was instrumental in the creation of the CBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section in Victoria. Mr. McHale was also involved in designing and implementing a roster of qualified mediators in B.C.

A dedicated husband and father of three, Mr. McHale is an enthusiastic softball and soccer coach. Friends of Mr. McHale attest to the fact family, spirituality and simplicity are his core values.

The John Tait Award is presented by the PSLC during the Canadian Bar Association's Annual Conference in Halifax on August 21 at 4:30, in the Highland Lounge of the World Trade & Convention Centre. The event is open to accredited journalists who have registered with the CBA Media Centre.

The award was established in 1998 to honour, recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Public Sector Lawyers in Canada. Originally named the Inukshuk Award of Excellence, it was renamed in August 1999 to honour John Tait, an outstanding lawyer, public servant and friend who passed away in the summer of 1999.

The Canadian Bar Association represents the legal profession on a national and international level. It 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.