We are pleased to highlight Emma Marie MacIntosh, current Young Lawyers Chair, in a spotlight piece that showcases not only her impressive education, volunteer activities, and professional background, but a little bit about her hobbies and interests!
We are so thankful to all of our valued, dedicated volunteers, who offer their time and expertise to our organization - thank you Emma and all our CBA NS volunteers!
Emma has been recognized with many awards and accolades so far, including the CBA NS Zöe Odei Young Lawyer Award in 2021. While in law school, Emma was awarded Schulich Academic Excellence Funding to complete an internship with the Hate and Hostility Research Group in Ireland. As part of this internship, she contributed to a project funded by the European Union, co-published a journal article on the monitoring of hate crime, and presented at the International Network of Hate Studies Biennial Conference. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Muriel Duckworth Award in recognition of her consciousness of women’s issues and feminism in the legal community. Emma has also been an active member of the CBA-NS Bystander Intervention Working Group and facilitated several training sessions on this topic.
Check out our recent Q&A with Emma:
Tell us a little bit about your education and professional background so far:
I went to Saint Mary’s for my undergrad, where I received a BA in sociology and criminology. From there, I went on to Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 2019. I was actually called to the Bar during the first ever virtual, Covid-19 call!
From there I articled at Wickwire Holm, and I’ve been there ever since. Recently the firm has merged, now called Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP.
I’m a general litigation associate, practicing in a variety of areas including administrative and regulatory matters, assisting clients with property and contract disputes, and working with long term care homes.
Tell us a little bit about you:
I was born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and was lucky enough to grow up paddling on the lakes around my home. I’ve been a paddling athlete, [that’s canoeing for those like me, the interviewer, who wasn’t in the know!], a coach, and sat on the board of directors of the Banook Canoe Club.
I also love to travel and am looking forward to a honeymoon later this year in Switzerland.
Favourite place visited so far: Ireland! Bucket list destination: South America, Chile specifically.
Why did you want to get involved in the CBA?
At law school I was fortunate to have a student in the year above me who took me under their wing a bit, and she was the student vice-chair at the time, and when she moved into chair, I moved into the role of vice-chair.
The CBA has been a great opportunity for me personally to attend lunch and learns and various events with lawyers, making connections with other students but also practicing lawyers in the province.
What have been the benefits of getting involved in CBA so far?
I’ve certainly seen the benefits so far and would lump them into two main categories: substantive and connection.
For substantive information, there have been so many conferences, lunch and learns, events etc. that have provided me with important and foundational content that I might not have been exposed to without these opportunities! As a volunteer but also as a member, the substantive benefits are so prominent.
In terms of making connections, the CBA has provided me with opportunities to meet other lawyers, and maintain working relationships too. These professional connections also generate referrals for me, and not just any referrals, but files that are specific to the subject matter I’m really interested in working with and passionate about. At these events, you’re able to discuss the ins and outs of the job with these colleagues, so when they think of you in a referral context, they know exactly what will suit you best!
Especially, post-Covid, the in-person events have been a great resource to create and keep connections.
What social justice issues or areas of practice are you most passionate about?
I’ve been involved with the Bystander Intervention Working Group, and I’m very passionate about the work being done. The training developed from this working group has been developed to get people thinking about what exactly harassment looks like, and helping to unload some of the burden from those who are experiencing it, and helping to get people involved in a productive way.
We’ve also seen recently with the National Study on Wellness in the Legal Pression, that there are major mental health issues in the legal profession. This is another area I’m passionate about, and certainly advocate for making your personal wellness a priority! Being a clerk through Covid-19, new to the job and working remotely, was difficult for me and to combat that I leaned on my hobbies, some of which are exercise like spin classes or biking, but knowing your coping mechanisms and using them is so important.
Additionally, I was previously quite involved with the Halifax Refugee Clinic and think the work they do is so valuable and important!
Best piece of advice for law students and young lawyers?
I’d say remember to believe in yourself, you’re more capable than you may realize and deserve to be where you are! I’d also emphasize how important empathy is in your day to day work. Taking a pause to understand clients and the issues and stressors they’re facing can make for a better collaboration in moving forward.
Fun Fact: Love to do a bit of antiquing on the weekends!