Kowalski in the News and on Youtube

Monica Goyal was the brainchild behind the first series of Virtural Town Halls, that I participated in. Here is the link to the last one.  The sound is muted at first but then catches on.

The Law Times has been posing a series of questions to Bencher candidates.  I have responded to all of them.

The OBA has also created a series of questions for Benchers that I have answered - here.

Also I am taking part in a Twitter Townhall on April 15 at 9:30 am EST - take part and look for hashtag #bencher.

UWO is promoting its alumni who are running for Bencher of which I am one - here.

The Youth and Work Blog asked Monica Goyal and myself to answer some additional questions which you can view - here

2011 Bencher Platform

As we head to the polls, I now release my platform of change for the Law Society.

The following are what I would like to achieve over the next four years:

1.       Immediate freeze on fees until 2015;

2.       In order to increase participation in the 2015 Bencher Election, provide a $50.00 discount on 2015 annual fees for those members who vote in the Bencher Election;

3.       Mandate that the 2015 Bencher Election be fully electronic – no paper ballots and no paper election packages to  save costs;

4.       Implement further governance reform by capping Benchers to a maximum of eight years in office;

5.       Implement full disclosure on Bencher expenses and Bencher compensation on an individual basis;

6.       Implement “cap” on election spending from all sources on Bencher candidates;

7.       Direct staff to implement value for money audits on all programs. Programs which do not provide value of money and which do not have clear definitions of success are to be cancelled;

8.       Implement a practice of openness at Convocation such that in camera meetings are used sparingly;

9.       Providing full disclosure on staff salaries over $100,000.00 per year, akin to the provincial Sunshine List;

10.   Implement discussions with the provincial government to create a student loan forgiveness programme for law students who practice in small communities with few lawyers;

11.   Implement new legal services delivery models similar to those in the United Kingdom and Australia, including franchises and outside investment. New players and models should provide greater access to justice at reduced costs for the public and should also provide greater work/life balance for those who desire it;

12.   Create and/or revise, if necessary, practice standards in connection with the Cloud, LPOs and SaaS;

13.    Implement diversity conflict/mentorship arrangement with a broad range of firms in the province;

14.   Reconsider the licensing process for lawyers in Ontario such that all those wishing to practice are guaranteed an articling position; and

15.   Reconsider the licensing process for foreign lawyers, particularly those who have practiced in Commonwealth countries, to make that process faster and more in line with that found in other Commonwealth jurisdictions.   

                                            I ask for your support.