About > Equity Program

The Equity Officer position at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society was created approximately eleven years ago as result of the (Donald) Marshall Inquiry (1989 -1990), at which time, racist and discriminatory attitudes were exposed as being present in the Nova Scotia legal system. It was then decided that the profession was in need of an Equity Officer to help overcome these issues. Currently, the Equity Officer position provides a strategic lens, direction and advice on all matters related to equity and diversity to the legal profession in Nova Scotia. The Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society are the only two law societies in the country to employ a full-time Equity Officer responsible specifically for these matters.

As part of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society mandate to serve the public interest, the Equity Officer seeks to build equity and diversity values and principles into its policies, programs, and procedures of the Society and for its members. The Barristers’ Society and the Equity Officer also seeks to ensure that both law and the practice of law are reflective of the peoples of Nova Scotia, including African Nova Scotia peoples, the Mi’kmaq, and other equity-seeking and federally-designated communities. In addition, the Equity Officer is actively addressing issues which will make the profession more diverse and reflective of Canada’s multicultural policies. Further, the Society and the Equity Officer are responsible for a wide range of programs designed to increase the membership’s understanding of the issues related to human rights and all forms of harassment and discrimination across the diversity spectrum. Additionally, the Equity Officer works closely with the Race Relations Committee and the Gender Equity Committee in accordance with their mandates. Finally, the Equity Officer provides a leadership role and consultative support when engaging in community outreach.

Nova Scotia Pro Bono Study

Executive Summary (pdf)

Nova Scotia Pro Bono Study (pdf)

Frances Fish Women Lawyers’ Achievement Awards

Frances Fish Call for Nominations and Nomination Form (pdf) – deadline May 15/09

Mentorship Programs:

Mentoring Enrollment form -- use this form for all program applications (PDF)

The Gender Equity Committee Mentoring Program Guideline: Supporting the Practice of Law
Handbook (PDF)
Next program start: Winter 2010
Legal Legacies & Bridges (LLB): African Canadian and Aboriginal Law Student Mentorship Programme
Student handbook (PDF) | Mentor handbook (PDF)
Next program start: Fall 2010
The Internationally–Trained Lawyers Mentoring Program
Handbook (PDF)
Next program start: Ongoing - please contact the Equity Officer directly
Pride Mentorship Program
Enrolment Form (PDF)
Next program start: Fall 2010