The Best is Yet to Come – The Story of R. Gordon Murray, KC, First Executive Director of Nova Scotia Legal Aid

The Best is Yet to Come is more than just the story of one man — it beautifully captures the story of a dedicated advocate, a transformative leader, and a champion of legal aid. It explores R. Gordon Murray’s enduring vision for an independent legal aid organization made up of socially conscious Staff Lawyers who are responsible for protecting the legal rights of Nova Scotians and creating social change.

R. Gordon Murray, KC, was Nova Scotia Legal Aid’s first, and longest serving, Executive Director (1977-1994). He laid the foundation for Nova Scotia Legal Aid, and he set a powerful example of what it means to advocate for fairness, justice, and access to legal services. R. Gordon Murray’s vision and legacy continues to guide the organization.

The Best is Yet to Come debuted at a special screening event on September 12, 2024, in Halifax. It was directed and produced by Ilienfero Productions. It was conceived and made possible by Nova Scotia Legal Aid Senior Executive & Commission Coordinator Lisa Stokkeskog and CEO Charlene Moore, KC.

R. Gordon Murray’s History with Nova Scotia Legal Aid

To everyone who knew R. Gordon Murray (May 8, 1932-November 26, 2024), he was simply “Gord.”

R. Gordon Murray, KC – 1964 Admission to Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

In 1969 when Gord was managing a local trust company in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, he became the volunteer Director of a legal aid experiment in Pictou County. Gord would assign lawyers on a pro bono (voluntary and free) basis when the Department of Community Services decided someone qualified for legal help. Around the same time, Gord began going over to Provincial Court to do appearances and ask for adjournments. Also – foreshadowing what was to come – Gord began taking cases on pro bono in addition to his full-time job at the trust company.

It is no coincidence that Pictou County was the birthplace of Legal Aid — the 1971 formal announcement of the creation of a legal aid plan was made at the old Heather Motel in Stellarton by then-Justice Minister Len Pace.

In 1972, Gord reluctantly took on the job of Staff Lawyer in the community Legal Aid Office of New Glasgow. By 1975, Gord became the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Plan that was the precursor for what would become the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission.

In 1977, the Provincial Government passed the present-day Legal Aid Act that created the independent Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission. This was done following recommendations contained in a report authored by Judge W.A.D. Gunn (“The Gunn Report”). The Gunn Report concluded that the legal aid experiment was an unqualified success and given its importance, recommended control and administration be put in the hands of an independent body. Gord has always been a staunch supporter of legal aid being independent of government.

Of course, in 1977, Gord Murray become the first Executive Director of the new independent Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission. In the almost 20 years that Gord led Nova Scotia Legal Aid, he successfully managed the peaks and valleys associated with establishing, growing, and maintaining a complex province-wide organization. From political uncertainty to financial crises to a changing world, Gord was a passionate, steadfast, and stable leader that allowed Nova Scotia Legal Aid to flourish and change the lives of thousands of the Nova Scotians in need.

Gord was as passionate about Legal Aid up to his passing as he was the day he started volunteering back in 1969.

For R. Gordon Murray, KC, Legal Aid has always been, and will always be, “a movement.”