Printer Friendly

OTTAWA – Alberta Premier Alison Redford, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, and federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson are among the keynote speakers at the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2012 Canadian Legal Conference (CLC) and the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association’s (CCCA) Annual Conference in Vancouver, Aug. 11-14.

The breakfast speaker on Tuesday, Aug. 14, Premier Redford has a CBA connection. “In the 1990s, Alison Redford worked with the CBA on our international development project in South Africa with the Legal Resources Centre. She was involved with test-case litigation on freedom of expression, employee rights and pregnant women’s rights to antiretroviral HIV drugs,” says CBA President Trinda L. Ernst, QC, of Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin addresses CBA Council, the Association’s policy-making body, on Saturday morning, Aug. 11. During the balance of the Council meeting over the next day-and-a-half, the CBA will debate policy resolutions.

The keynote speaker at the Opening Plenary on Sunday, Aug. 12 is Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, who will discuss the power of information and the future of the internet. Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson will address CBA members and then take their questions at a Dialogue with the Minister on Aug. 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Speaking at the Monday, Aug. 13 breakfast is Robert Fowler, author and former Canadian diplomat, who made international headlines in 2008 when he was kidnapped by al Qaeda and held hostage in the Sahara Desert for almost five months. He will offer his perspective on global conflict.

The CCCA will be holding its Annual Conference in Vancouver at the same time as the CLC. Paul Lippe, former General Counsel and CEO of Legal OnRamp, will offer insight into the “new normal” for in-house counsel through his analysis of emerging trends. He will address members at the CCCA luncheon on Monday, Aug. 13.

A full slate of breakout sessions takes place on Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14. Topics of interest to practising lawyers include advocacy at the Supreme Court of Canada, and sessions on intellectual property law, Aboriginal law and franchises. For in-house counsel, sessions will focus on diversity, hiring and firing, and social media in the workplace.

Full details are available on the CLC website.

The Justicia Award for outstanding media coverage of legal issues will be presented at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 11. The Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award for outstanding service to the community will be presented at the closing luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

A ceremony to mark the transfer of the presidency from outgoing President Trinda L. Ernst, QC, to incoming President Robert Brun, QC, of Vancouver, also takes place at the closing luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Programs take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Sessions are open to accredited media. Accreditation may be obtained by contacting Hannah Bernstein.

The CBA is dedicated to improvement in the law, the administration of justice, and support for the rule of law. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.