SR Vol 27 No 3, July 2009 - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

A meeting of minds
Students and lawyers share insights and learn from each other
Marla Cranston
Communications Officer
They arrived together on a
schoolbus and left with
heightened admiration for
the new generation.
The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society held its final Council meeting of
the year at Auburn Drive High School in Cole Harbour on May 22,
with more than 100 students participating. After disembarking from
the bus, Council’s lawyers and public representatives were ushered
into the gymnasium to take part in a special Law Day hosted by the
school.
“A lot of work went into preparing for this,” says Vice-Principal Karen
Hudson. Some students produced a video for the event, while students
Jamel Ross and Morgan Williams
shared their thoughts on legal issues
with upbeat rap performances as the
day began.
impressive, articulate and enthusiastic to learn more about justice.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to break down some of the barriers
and perceptions that youth may have regarding the legal profession,”
adds Hudson. “All those lawyers whose names we hear all the time
in the media, well to be able to sit down and have a discussion with
them was pretty fascinating for the students.”
The Auburn event follows in the footsteps of a new Society tradition
that has formed in recent years, with Council going out into the
community to develop closer connections and better understanding.
North Preston hosted the first such event and last year, Membertou,
Cape Breton, welcomed Council.
The work continued as the
brainstorming began – gathering in
breakout groups, students and lawyers
embarked on spirited discussions
about a variety of legal issues that can
impact the lives of teenagers. Each
group examined different aspects of
a hypothetical high school scenario
that had been developed, based on
issues of interest that were identified
by students in advance.
The dialogue and practical tips
covered everything from workplace
rights and privacy laws to
repercussions that can flow from a
schoolyard fight, a timely topic in
light of an incident that generated
blaring media headlines in Cole
Harbour just three weeks earlier. The
television cameras captured a much
more positive impression during Law
Day, reflecting students who were
Past President Joel Pink QC, with a group of Auburn Drive High students
July 2009 25