CBA-NS Bench & Bar Awards Ceremony
The Canadian Bar Association Nova Scotia Branch was pleased to recognize our valued members and volunteers at this year’s 8th Annual CBA-NS Bench & Bar Reception and Dinner on Thursday, June 20th, 2024. The event took place at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
The Bench & Bar brings together members of the legal community in Nova Scotia (CBA Members and non-members alike), including distinguished members of the Bench. In addition, we were pleased to announce the recipients of the J. Michael MacDonald Access to Justice Award and President’s Distinguished Service Award as set out below.
J. MICHAEL MACDONALD ACCESS TO JUSTICE AWARD
Presented by: Michelle Axworthy (CBA-NS President); The Honourable J. Michael MacDonald
The J. Michael MacDonald Access to Justice Award celebrates individuals and organizations that make outstanding contributions to improving access to justice for Nova Scotians who face social, economic, and systemic barriers. This annual award specifically recognizes those who advocate for legislation and policy that will reduce constraints, who provide pro-bono or cost-reduced services, and who empower the public with knowledge about the justice system to improve the efficiency and equity of the system.
CBA-NS was pleased to present the J. Michael MacDonald Access to Justice Award to the African Nova Scotia Justice Institute (ANSJI), accepted by Shawna Paris-Hoyte, Executive Director, ANSJI.
Officially launched in 2022, ANSJI is an independent, non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to African Nova Scotian and Black clients across Nova Scotia. Their lawyers provide legal advocacy for clients involved in justice matters requiring a critical race lens. Its vision, in part, is to create a place that African Nova Scotians can turn to when seeking legal advice, guidance, and advocacy that understands African Nova Scotians as a distinct people.
For more information on the important work being advanced by ANSJI, we encourage you to visit their website here.
PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Presented by: Michelle Axworthy (CBA-NS President)
Established in 1996, the President’s Distinguished Service Award honours, recognizes, and celebrates distinguished and exceptional service that a member has made to the Nova Scotia Branch of the CBA.
CBA-NS was pleased to present the President’s Distinguished Service Award Jason Cooke, KC.
Jason has been an invaluable member of the CBA community, serving in several roles associated with both the Nova Scotia Branch and National Branch. However, Jason’s truly distinguished and exceptional service lies in his pro bono work and support of his colleagues.
Though unable to attend the event, Jason provided the following statement:
“I am sorry I was not able to attend but wanted to share what an honour it is to be recognized with the President’s Distinguished Service Award. It really feels like yesterday that I first joined the CBA at law school. Since then, the CBA – both locally and nationally – has been such a central part of my professional life and has given me so many amazing experiences, especially the opportunity to get to know so many amazing colleagues (I am sure many of you are there tonight). I am truly humbled when I see the former recipients, including one of my mentors, Peter Green, KC. Thank you so much.”
Congratulations to the above noted prestigious award recipients. The CBA-NS commends them on their individual qualifications, exemplary inclusion and community efforts, furtherment of access to justice in the province, and continued involvement with CBA.
It was great to get together and celebrate the achievements of our legal community, including retirements and appointments to the Bench, as well as the presentation of select CBA-NS and NSBS awards of recognition.
We look forward to seeing everyone once again in 2025!