Printer Friendly

VANCOUVER – Robert Brun, Q.C., of Vancouver will become national President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) on Aug. 14 when the chain of office is transferred from outgoing president Trinda L. Ernst, Q.C., of Kentville, NS, at the closing luncheon of the CBA’s Canadian Legal Conference.

Mr. Brun, whose seven-member boutique firm Harris & Brun focuses on civil litigation, primarily in the insurance field, has identified the independence of the bar, access to justice and leadership as priorities for his year-long term.

An independent judiciary is but one facet of a strong justice system, says Robert Brun on self-regulation of the legal profession. Another important part is the independence of the lawyers appearing before them.

“Adequate protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires that legal counsel and representation be provided by a fully independent legal profession,” says Robert Brun.

Mr. Brun says he will rely on team work and outreach to members across the country to further the goals and objectives of the CBA.  As Mr. Brun takes the helm, the 37,000-member CBA is launching a trio of initiatives, one of which aims to improve access to justice and another at helping the legal profession prepare for the future.  The third is an online guide that will assist firms in measuring diversity to enhance their inclusiveness.

“Looked at together, the projects will help shape the future of the justice system and the legal profession,” says Mr. Brun.

Robert Brun was called to the British Columbia bar in 1978 after graduating in 1977 from UBC, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2004. He has been involved in civil, employment and estate litigation and has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada, the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He has also acted as an arbitrator in civil and labour disputes.  Since joining the Canadian Bar Association in 1974, when he started law school, he has been an active member at both the national and branch levels.

Robert Brun and his wife Pam have three adult children. Daughter Jennifer, also a lawyer, chairs the CBA’s Young Lawyers-CBA this year.  Robert Brun has been a soccer coach and a scout leader and is an avid skier and boater. “I do that whenever possible, but unfortunately skiing and boating rank down the line in priorities to family and the practise of law.”

The 2012 CBA Canadian Legal Conference takes place in Vancouver from August 11-14, and is open to accredited media. Please contact Hannah Bernstein for accreditation.

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

-30-

A photo of Mr. Brun is available here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hannah Bernstein
The Canadian Bar Association
Aug 10-14: 613-912-0135
hannahb@cba.org

Communications office:
August 10-14
Vancouver Convention Centre,
East Meeting Room 18