ARCTIC OBITER

suggestions. However, the former was limited and
random and the latter was usually too late.
With the dawn of mandatory CPD, we as the
profession can now say we are doing something about
this. We, the self-governing authority, are making an
attempt to monitor competency after admittance. The
question, again, is does it work?
Alan Treleaven, Director of Education & Planning at
the Law Society of British Columbia, would say yes.
“The primary rationale for mandatory CPD,” he says,
“is to proactively encourage lawyers to fulfill their
professional responsibility to engage in ongoing
professional development.” His Law Society has left
the criteria for educational activities relatively open,
but has required specific situational programs to target
key competencies in some cases. For example, sole
practitioners and small firms must participate in an
online self-propelled small firm practice course offered
by the Law Society (free of charge, of course).
Susan Billington, Policy and Program Counsel at the
Law Society of Alberta, would also say yes. However,
Alberta’s CPD program contrasts the hour-based
compliance system in other jurisdictions.
In a
response to Jordan’s article, Susan identifies her Law
Society’s goal for its CPD program as follows:
To enhance lawyer competence, and
To be accountable to the public for the
ongoing professional development and
competence of lawyers.
“We weren’t convinced that a ‘mandatory minimum
hour requirement’ was the road to meeting the goal of
enhanced lawyer competence,” she says, citing her
Law Society’s philosophy that adult education is most
beneficial when it is self-directed and intentional.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Law Society of the Northwest Territories is seeking a
highly-motivated and resourceful individual for the position
of Executive Director at its office in Yellowknife, NT. Under
the direction of the Executive of the Law Society, the
Executive Director will be responsible for the management
and coordination of all phases of the operation,
administration, finances, organization and supervision of the
activities of the Law Society, will oversee the Law Society’s
responses to all forms of communication from the general
public, members of the Law Society, the courts,
governments, other law societies and organizations
representing lawyers, and others, and will liaison with the
law societies of other jurisdictions.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate significant
management and financial experience, preferably in a
position that reports to a board of directors. All candidates
must have post-secondary training related to the position.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are
required.
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
A full job description is available online at
www.lawsociety.nt.ca.
All interested applicants can submit a résumé and cover
letter to:
Executive Director Search Committee
c/o Law Society of the Northwest Territories
4th Floor, Diamond Plaza
5204 50th Avenue, PO Box 1298, Stn. Main
Yellowknife, NT X1X 2N9
Fax: (867) 873-6344
edsc@lawsociety.nt.ca
CLOSING DATE: July 1, 2013
We thank all applicants for their interest. Inquiries may be
directed to email address above.
ARCTIC OBITER MARCH/APRIL 2013 ■ 19