the SOCIETY RECORD - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

important to her. While she’s busy practising commercial litigation and
practising her clarinet, she finds that both complement her lifestyle.
Photo provided by Neptune Theatre
her combination of expertise in corporate governance and her love
of art make her a valued board member for Symphony Nova Scotia,
where she works on the governance committee and Film Nova Scotia,
where she chairs the board.
“I love anything creative,” says Hodder, a partner at McInnes Cooper
in business and corporate governance. “Volunteering in the arts helps
expand how you see the world. You problem solve in a different way.
It makes this vibrant city the very best.”
Funding is a major issue for arts organizations. Hodder believes that
increased funding, coupled with increased accountability measures
for arts organizations, could help give a boost to artists.
“Litigation is the closest relative to performance,” says Hiltz. “When
standing in an auditorium with 10,000 people, you have to know
your material. You have to know it on the most fundamental level. In
litigation, you also have to know your material. You have to have an
understanding what you’re doing. It’s all part of the fabric that’s me.”
Perhaps the greatest impact made by lawyers is on new, emerging
organizations. Andrew Sowerby, a litigation associate at Cox &
Palmer, volunteers for the Nocturne: Art at Night Society board of
directors. Unlike established organizations, Nocturne has no paid
staff so all administrative work is left to the board. Andrew focuses on
governance, human resources and spotting legal issues.
“With Nocturne, that idea of enjoying art on a big scale is out of
the ordinary,” says Sowerby. “For one evening, you have all the
little experiences from the North End to downtown. Usually you’re
exposed to little things on a smaller scale. With this event, there’s a
whole bunch of that. Art brightens your day.”
For lawyers, volunteering in an organization can involve much more
than serving on a board. Patrick Lamey grew up in Fredericton, with
the oral tradition of Gaelic music. Surrounded by musicians within
his own family, Lamey’s passions for the guitar have followed him into
his legal career. He’s volunteered with the East Coast Music Awards,
worked as an emcee for the Highland Games and served as one of the
founding members of the Celtic Colours International Festival.
“Arts funding has decreased significantly and it’s unfortunate,” says
Hodder. “Because of the funding challenge, organizations have thin
budgets so they need to have greater collaboration, be accountable
and be transparent. They need the rigor and process of organization
and policy.”
One way to begin volunteering in the arts is through a single event
within an organization.
“Many organizations have volunteer groups that lead to people
participating, and then you get invited to the board,” says Hodder.
“I recommend that any acceptance should be about something that
you’re passionate about. Lawyers are extremely good at giving back to
communities, with the skills that they bring to these roles.”
Rebecca LeBlanc Hiltz started off as a volunteer for Neptune Theatre
before joining the board. She helped plan the Black and White
fundraiser and was asked to join.
“There’s something fundamental to our human nature about art,”
says Hiltz, a partner at BOYNECLARKE LLP, with a focus in
business litigation. “Whether we’re visually pleased or moved by
an incredible performance, it’s something we all experience. It’s
an integral part of our society. One way or another, art has been a
means of communication from prehistoric times to now. It shapes
our society. We go because we can and we always need to be able to.”
Photo courtesy of the Nocturne Board of Directors, 2012
Lawyers like Hiltz gravitate towards the arts because of their own
backgrounds. She’s an opera singer and a band member of the 36th
Canadian Brigade Group (Nova Scotia) Band, so the arts are very
“Capture” by artist Gerald Beaulieu from
Nocturne, Art at Night, 2012
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The Society Record