Charlene

Service Delivery Director Appointed

/in

I am very pleased to announce that Charlene Moore has accepted the position of Service Delivery Director (SDD). Charlene has a history of demonstrated leadership both at NSLA and in her community. I am confident her commitment to NSLA and to social justice in the broadest sense will serve the Commission well in this new position. Charlene will be starting in the SDD role effective February 20th, 2017.

Charlene’s background includes:

  • Graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1998. Called to NS Bar in 1999.
  • Joined NSLA in August 1999 in the Dartmouth Office practicing family law and transferred to the Halifax North Office in 2012.
  • Since 2013, has worked primarily in the area of social justice with a focus on developing community outreach. Her outreach includes Chebucto Connections ECHO Hub and the Daily Bread free lunch program at St. Mary’s Basilica.
  • Has made numerous community presentations on social justice issues.
  • Worked extensively with community stakeholders on the issues of social justice and played a lead role in the implementation of the social justice components of NSLA’s Strategic Plan.
  • Responsible for the development of social justice materials for the public on NSLA’s website and the ongoing development of social justice materials for the internal staff Portal. Actively involved in the development of content for social justice conferences.
  • Facilitated NSLA’s social justice response to the consultations on legal aid benchmarks.
  • Obtained certification in Collaborative Family Law.
  • Past member (Treasurer & Chair) of Family Mediation NS with significant involved in the development of the Child Protection Mediation Project.
  • Current committee member of CBA NS Nova Voce.
  • Mentored for Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association (DFLAS), has acted as Principal for Articled Clerks and supervised Summer Students.
  • Volunteer with NSBS Observership Program and longstanding community volunteer in Scouts Canada and Shambhala School, including holding many leadership roles.

Please join me in welcoming Charlene to the Executive team.

Megan Longley,
Executive Director

Cathy Benton

Cathy Benton, QC Appointed Provincial and Family Court Judge

/in

We are thrilled to advise that Cathy Benton, QC, Manager of our Bridgewater Office, has been appointed a Judge of the Provincial and Family Court. Details are here: News Release

Congratulations to Judge Benton for this truly well-deserved appointment!

Nova Scotia’s Special Court for Opioid Addicts

/in

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has been an interested and supporting partner in the creation of the Court Monitored Drug Treatment Program and is working toward its expansion. Please find the story of one participant here: Participant Story. Ms. MacPherson’s story demonstrates what inter-governmental and community cooperation can achieve. NSLA is very proud to be involved in the Program by providing direct counsel to all of the Program’s participants and by advocating for not only its implementation, but its expansion.

Service Delivery Director – Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

/in

The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) is currently accepting applications for the position of Service Delivery Director (SDD). A copy of the position description can be found at:  SDD Position Description

Nova Scotia Legal Aid (NSLA) delivers quality legal services to qualified applicants in the three core areas of criminal, family and social justice law. Some level of help is available to all Nova Scotians on a continuum of service which includes information, summary/duty counsel services, limited retainer and full service.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The SDD reports to the Executive Director (ED) and the NSLAC and has a focus on what services the NSLAC can and should provide.  The SDD works closely with the ED and must be ready to assume all responsibilities in the event that the incumbent is not available to discharge the duties of that office.  The SDD works closely with other Justice Stakeholders and is a member of the Executive Committee, which provides management for the NSLA program.

REPORTS TO

  • The Executive Director
  • The Commission

TYPICAL DUTIES

Include: the service delivery management of the NSLA program; working closely with the ED, the Chief Financial Officer and the Internal Operations Director in developing policies, protocols and processes in service delivery management; developing criteria and data for service evaluations and day-to-day management issues and consultation.

REQUIRED ABILITIES AND SKILLS

The SDD, a full-time Administration Office position, must meet or exceed the following requirements:

  • Must work in the Office of the ED located in HRM
  • Bachelor of Law Degree
  • Practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, in good standing
  • Possess management experience
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to represent NSLA effectively when working with other justice system stakeholders and the community
  • Broad understanding of the Province’s justice and legal services systems and current issues
  • Exceptional planning, organizational, analytical and administrative skills
  • Ability to foster effective working relationships with colleagues and external contacts
  • Ability to speak both English and French will be an asset

References required.

SALARY:   Legal Services Pay Plan MCL 32-127 – this is a five-year (renewable) contract position

CLOSING DATE:  January 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm ADT

REPLY TO:

Barry Whynot
Internal Operations Directr
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
920-1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8
(902) 420-3471 Fax
barry.whynot@nslegalaid.ca

NSLA has an employment equity policy and encourages candidates from historically disadvantaged groups.  While we appreciate all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications held in confidence.

Executive Director Appointed

/in

Announcement

Executive Director – Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

I am pleased to advise you that, effective December 14th, 2016, Megan Longley has been appointed Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission.

Megan graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1994 and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1995. She joined NSLA in 1999. Megan has worked as a Staff Lawyer in all four NSLA metro offices primarily as a criminal lawyer but also briefly as a family lawyer. Megan took over as Manager of the Youth Justice Office in 2011 and moved to the Office of the Executive in September of 2015 as Service Delivery Director.

Megan has made submissions to the Nunn Commission and has presented at local, provincial and national conferences on Youth Justice and on the over-criminalization in HIV non-disclosure cases following an internationally reported decision in that area. Megan is a past Board Member of the Community Justice Society and the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia among others. In addition, Megan has sat on various Justice System committees throughout her career, and continues to do so. Megan is also outgoing President of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers’ Association and a board member of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

I am confident that under Megan’s leadership Nova Scotia Legal Aid will continue to provide essential service to individual Nova Scotians and will continue to work with others in the Justice System to improve access to justice in this Province. I invite you to contact Megan with any questions about the services of NSLA.

Donald G. Harding, QC
Chair, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

Canada Bar Association Women’s Forum Section Meeting – “Different Career Paths: What You Can Do With Your Law Degree

/in

Krista Forbes, Managing Lawyer, Halifax Office (Family), Nova Scotia Legal Aid was a featured speaker at the November 7, 2016 CBA Women’s Forum Section Meeting.  This was a Forum where the presenters talked about their career path and use of their law degrees, from private practice to government solicitor, to Legal Aid and the Public Prosecution Service and all the other options, including taking breaks in their practice to have a family, or go back to school, or take another job

It was an opportunity for members to ask about the experiences of the speakers, good and bad, as women in law.

Pictured in the photo are:  Michelle Higgins, Executive Director, Court Services; Krista Forbes, Managing Lawyer, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Halifax Office (Family); Julia Cornish, QC, Partner, Sealy Cornish Coulthard; Susan MacKay, Senior Crown Attorney, NS Public Prosecution Service. Missing from the photo is Dana MacKenzie, Managing Director of Employee Relations with the Public Service Commission.

HomeBridge Youth Society Annual Holiday Coffee House – December 7, 2016

/in

Please see details below and note that RSVP is by December 5th

Print

Online Consultation on the Review of Record Suspensions

/in

The Government of Canada is seeking input from the public, including individuals with a criminal record, federal, provincial and territorial stakeholders, and organizations that are involved in the corrections and criminal justice system on the review of record suspensions. The online consultation closes on December 7, 2016. For further details and to access the online consultation please visit: Review of Record Suspensions

Free Public Lecture – Everyday Legal Problems and the Cost of Justice

/in

with Professor David Wiseman, University of Ottawa

The legal system faces criticism for not providing more affordable ways for people to resolve their ‘everyday legal problems’ in consumer, employment, family, housing and other civil justice areas. Providing more help might be costly for public budgets, but there is also a cost to individuals and society of not providing enough access to justice. In this session, Professor Wiseman will share the results of the latest Canadian survey of everyday legal problems – the first to investigate the cost of justice – and will explore recent and potential ways we might work to improve access to justice in Canada.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016
7:00PM
Room 104, Weldon Law Building
6061 University Ave.

Amendments to the Incompetent Persons Act

/in

Below please find a November 1, 2016 communication from the Deputy Minister of Justice.  Please note the November 30, 2016 deadline for completing the survey.

In collaboration with the provincial Departments of Health & Wellness, Community Services and Seniors, the Department of Justice has reviewed the Incompetent Persons Act. 

 The Department of Justice intends to replace the Act with modernized guardianship legislation that would better respect the rights of those who have experienced some loss of mental capacity and help to ensure their needs are met.  We are seeking your feedback on the proposed changes.  

 An online survey is available at:

https://surveys.gov.ns.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=8lM1mn55   

More information can be found at:

http://novascotia.ca/adultguardianship/  

The deadline for submitting comments is November 30th.  The Departments of Justice, Health & Wellness, Community Services, and Seniors will use the feedback received to help inform the new legislation. 

 Yours sincerely,

 Karen Hudson, Q.C.
Deputy Minister of Justice