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.
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