Advocacy-Matters-Summer-2022

Q. What is your vision for your term as President? What are your priorities?
A. First of all, let me say that I am very honoured and excited to serve as President of The Advocates’
Society for the upcoming year. I hope to have the opportunity to meet and engage with many of our
members. I am looking forward to working with our great group of committed volunteers including
our Board of Directors and amazing TAS staff.
A key focus for the next year will be mentorship. This is very important to me personally and
I know most advocates appreciate the importance of mentorship. I have personally benefitted
from mentorship and have had the opportunity to mentor a number of young lawyers. Being a
mentor is a most rewarding experience.
We know the pandemic has been very difficult for all advocates but especially for our younger
members. Advocacy training and skills development has been compromised. Mentorship and
collegiality opportunities have been restricted. More than ever there is a need for TAS to create
and promote more opportunities for mentorship; especially for our young advocates but also for
members who are sole practitioners, from small firms and from diverse backgrounds, and who
may not have easy access to mentorship.
I think mentorship is an important part of the life of an advocate. It is a long-standing tradition.
Advocates have a common bond that is reflected in the collegiality and respect we show each other.
TAS will also focus on bringing together members in collegiality events across the country. Our
mentorship and collegiality initiatives will strive to support the mental health and wellbeing of our
members. TAS will continue to focus on our core work in skills-based training and advocacy. We
will continue to be the voice of advocates across Canada.
As we emerge from the pandemic, we have the opportunity to plan for our future in a post-pandemic
environment. This process, to be done over the next couple of years, will include a broad
review of our core values, vision, and strategic goals, and will result in a plan to move TAS forward
stronger than ever.
Q.What role do you see 10+ members playing in the work of TAS?
A. 10+ members have an important role to play in the work of the Society and bring an important voice
to the table. 10+ members make a significant contribution to TAS in so many ways. They bring a unique
perspective to almost every issue. The 10+ Committee has been asked to play an important role in
helping TAS develop and implement our mentorship initiatives. Mid-level advocates have mentorship
experience and new ideas which will enhance our mentorship opportunities. I look forward to working
with 10+ and supporting their programs and initiatives.
Q.What does TAS mean to you? What do you want it to mean for TAS members and the
profession generally?
A. TAS means everything to me as an advocate. I have been a member of TAS for over 33 years and
have seen TAS grow from a small group of advocates to a large national organization and the voice of
advocates in Canada. TAS has a very important role to play within the justice system and legal community
in Canada. I would like our members and all advocates to have the same connection with TAS that
I do. I want them to view TAS as a strong, connected and inclusive community of advocates. I would like
all advocates to feel welcome in the Society and that they are part of the family of advocates in Canada.
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