2020 Bencher Election
24 Candidates put their names forward for the 2020 Bencher Election. Four candidates were elected by acclamation. An election was held on Wednesday, May 6, for the seven remaining openings in the City of Winnipeg electoral district. Voting took place between April 20 and May 5. To learn more, see the results of the 2020 Bencher Election.
For questions about the election and electoral process, please contact Leah Kosokowsky at lkosokowsky@lawsociety.mb.ca.
Bencher Positions
Elected Positions
Elections for 12 Bencher positions are held every second year. To be eligible as a candidate for election, a member of the society must be a practising lawyer on the 1st Monday in March of the election year, maintain a principal office in the district in which he or she seeks to be a candidate and must be nominated in accordance with the rules.
Appointed Positions
Following the election, a call for applications will be made to both the profession and the public. The appointment process ensures that applicants with unique skill sets and abilities and from diverse backgrounds are eligible for appointment.
Practising Lawyer Benchers
Four lawyers are appointed, to serve for a two year term. At least one of the lawyers must be from the Winnipeg District and one must be from outside of Winnipeg.
Lay Benchers
Six public representatives are appointed for a two year term in each election year by a Committee chaired by the Chief Justice of the Province of Manitoba.