2025 Bencher Nominees

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Reykjavik, Manitoba, and I am very proud of my unique Metis/Icelandic roots. I moved to Winnipeg to pursue legal studies and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 2010. I began my legal career as an articling student at Duboff Edwards Schachter, where I advanced to associate and eventually partner. In the fall of 2022, I joined the partnership at Myers LLP.

My solicitor’s practice includes commercial and real estate transactions and estate planning services. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunities the practice of law provides to build long-term relationships with my clients, helping them make informed, thoughtful decisions about their businesses, families, and legacies.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the vital role solicitors play in the legal system, and the unique challenges we face. As a bencher, I hope to bring this perspective to the table, ensuring that the regulatory and governance decisions of the Law Society reflect the diversity of legal practices across our province.

In addition to my law practice, I have been actively involved in community service, including chairing local boards and volunteering with several charitable organizations. I believe in the importance of giving back, both to the profession and to the broader community we serve.

I would be honored to contribute to the ongoing work of the Law Society and help support a legal profession that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and responsive to the needs of all its members.

I am most interested in becoming a Bencher as an opportunity to give back to the legal community. As a partner in the Business Law Group at MLT Aikins LLP, with a background consisting of several years of articling and practicing in the Calgary legal market and 18 years of practice at MLT Aikins LLP, a term secondment as in-house counsel at a leading Manitoba company, earning a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Calgary and numerous years of volunteer work in the community; I strongly believe that I have the necessary skills and experience to be an asset to the governing body of the legal profession.

In my nearly 25 years in the legal industry, I have developed expertise in commercial law in my role as legal advisor on a wide variety of matters. I currently represent over 20 not-for-profit member organizations with many parallels to the Law Society of Manitoba. In particular, I provide governance and regulatory advice to these organizations and strongly believe this experience will enable me to serve the Law Society of Manitoba in an impactful manner.

I have demonstrated interest in the community, having served on the following board/committees:

• Law Society Complaints Investigation Committee and Investment Committee;
• President and a Director on the Manitoba Chapter of the Risk Management Association;
• Co-Chair of the Business Law section of the Manitoba Bar Association;
• Loan Review Committee for the Canadian Youth Business Foundation;
• Learning Group Facilitator for the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education; and
• Director of Meals on Wheels.

These roles illustrate my strong interest in using my experience and skills to enhance the local community and the legal profession.

My experience has ranged from working in a two-person law firm to a national firm and working as and with numerous in-house counsel as clients, which has enabled me to appreciate many different perspectives and I would welcome the opportunity to serve as a Bencher. I have developed a passion for health and fitness and am committed to ensuring that the physical and mental health and well-being of all our members is promoted wherever possible. I have also mentored those suffering with chronic pain, having previously suffered and subsequently recovered from a long lasting sports injury. Last, I strongly believe my business acumen will complement the valuable work that has been completed to date and continues to be undertaken by our Benchers and welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with our fellow members to benefit the community as a whole.

Jason is excited at the opportunity to represent the Winnipeg Electoral District as a Law Society of Manitoba Bencher.

Jason was called to the Manitoba Bar in 2010 and practised civil litigation with MLT Aikins for 4 years before becoming In-House Legal Counsel for the University of Manitoba Faculty Association in 2013, where he practises labour law. Jason served as President of the Manitoba Bar Association from 2023-2024. During his term, the MBA saw membership growth, advocacy initiatives to promote access to justice, an increased focus on health and wellness through collaborations with the Law Society and Law(yer) Strong, as well as new on-campus programming for students at Robson Hall. Inclusion was also a priority, with the inaugural Sankofa Lecture and a new Indigenous Lawyers’ Forum being created during his term. As Past President this past year, Jason continued to be involved by serving as Supervisor for a Pro Bono Student Project with the MBA, and as Chair of a Joint Committee on the Study of AI in the Manitoba Legal Profession, both of which were developed during his term as President.

Jason is a Past Chair of the MBA’s Labour and Employment Section, Young Lawyers Section, and Law Day Committee. He is also a former Board Secretary of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Manitoba, from which he maintains a Qualified Arbitrator designation.

In 2023, Jason was nominated for the In-House Counsel Up and Comer Award at the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association’s In-House Counsel Celebration. In 2024, he was awarded a Winnipeg 150 Medal, honouring 150 Winnipeggers for their community contributions. Jason was recognized for his work in the legal community, in the cancer care community, and in the Winnipeg Jewish Community, where he has worked in areas such as community planning, community relations, and governance.

As a cancer survivor, Jason speaks regularly to groups about his experiences, and his team, Jason’s Journey, has raised over $40,000 over the last 6 years for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation through its annual 20-kilometre Challenge for Life Walk. He also holds over 25 years of political experience, working with political parties and on election campaigns at all three levels of government as well as national leadership campaigns.

Jason loves being an advocate both in his legal practice and for numerous community organizations. He looks forward to using the skills he has developed in his work and volunteer life for the benefit of the Law Society of Manitoba.

Jeffrey King is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with PKF Lawyers in downtown Winnipeg. Jeffrey has previously served as a Councillor and the Governance Committee Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council and a Youth Mentor with Manitoba Justice.

Jeffrey hopes to bring a new voice as a Bencher through his experience in advocacy and his record of public service to help protect and preserve the ideals and standards of the legal profession.

A former Judicial Law Clerk to the Honourable Chief Justice Charbonneau of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, Jeffrey has always had a passion for advocacy. Since receiving his call to the Manitoba Bar in 2019, Jeffrey has appeared as sole/lead counsel in the Manitoba Provincial Court, the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, the Manitoba Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and numerous administrative bodies.

After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba, Jeffrey attended the University of Windsor (Ontario), obtaining his Juris Doctorate. At the U of W, he was a Teaching/Research Assistant for the Legal Research & Writing Course, and academically ranked 2^nd in his class of 154 students.

A committed Winnipegger, Jeffrey hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Daniel Abraham “Abe” Yanofsky, O.C., K.C., a Winnipeg lawyer, politician, and chess player, as an active member of the legal profession and the community. To date, Jeffrey has held a variety of governmental and non-governmental positions, including as a Youth Mentor with Manitoba Justice, a program director for several community outreach organizations, and a Councillor / Chair of the Governance Committee of the Manitoba Arts Council. Jeffrey has also been featured in numerous media articles over the past few years.

As a Bencher, Jeffrey would utilize this background of advocacy and public service to further the mission, role, and values of The Law Society of Manitoba in helping to ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable, and independent legal profession, presently and into the future.

An African-Canadian, I grew up and lived in both Montreal and Winnipeg. I am a trained Economist (University of Manitoba) and bi-jural legal scholar (Quebec Civil Law and North American Common Law at the Université de Montréal). I hold a B.A., LL.B. JD and LL.M.

I am a Partner at Bassi Kwilu LLP and a litigator in Criminal, Family, child protection, Immigration and all Civil matters. I have successfully litigated cases in all levels of Court in Manitoba, including The Federal Court of Canada (Lower and appellate level) and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (lower and appellate level).

I am the Founder, Executive Director and Lead Counsel at la Clinique Juridique Franco-Justice (CJFJ), offering pro-bono legal services to francophone newcomers and settled francophone communities in Manitoba

Apart from my law practice, I am an independent researcher and a Lecturer in Commercial Law at L’Université de Saint-Boniface.

I sat on Manitoba’s Public Safety Training Strategy Steering Committee overseeing the development of the strategy to modernize public safety training for police and peace officers, and currently seat on Manitoba’s Access to Justice Advisory Network. I am also the President of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and sit on its national board.

Marcelle M Marion, BA, LLB, LLM (2005):

A graduate student, Theo St Mark’s College, University of British Columbia.

Currently,  the Director of Legal Services at Legal Aid Manitoba since 2021 and the file lead for Indigenous reconciliation and strategic planning goals.

Born and raised in southeastern Manitoba, Dufrost attended high school in St. Pierre, Manitoba, close to rivers and fields of wheat and lots of space to read, play and run.

Bilingual in French and English, and a member of the Winnipeg local at the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Attended St. Boniface College, graduating with an Arts degree, U of M Latin Philosophy and Political Science.

Dropped out of the School of Social Work to work with the Government of Canada in Winnipeg, serving at the Departments of Immigration, Human Resources and the Secretary of State. Left the government to study law, graduating from the University of Saskatchewan Law School and Osgoode Law in Constitutional Studies. In both public service and studies going forward, excelled in legislative development, interpretation of laws and Indigenous historic and modern treaty making. My practice areas were in Administrative Tribunals, Corporate and Environmental Law and currently in Family, Criminal, Administrative and Corporate work.

Currently completing research for my Master of Theology requirements.

Recently completed the TRC Indigenous Certificate in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May 2025.

Early career began in a practicum at the Public Interest Law Centre in Winnipeg, later with articles at  Portage la Prairie law firm, joining the Bars of Manitoba (2000), Northwest Territories (2003), and Nunavut (2019).

Later career, Indian Claims Commission as Legal Counsel on claims adjudication (Ottawa); and within the GNWT in the Department of Justice and the Department on Environment and Natural Resources Northwest Territories government,  Manager of Legal Affairs and Strategic Planning and transitioning to General Counsel of the  Workers Safety and Compensation Commission in  NWT and Nunavut. Legal practice highlights include counsel on tri-partite negotiation tables, which led to the signing of the Tlicho and Deline final self-government agreements in the Northwest Territories and current appointment to the Deline Justice Council, the K’e Dats’eredi Ke appointed by the Deline Got’ine Government ending in the Fall, 2025.

A past volunteer with the John Howard Society (JHS) Northwest Territories as president and JHS national board director (2018-2021).

A favourite quote –  I may not change the world but maybe I can cast a stone on the water and cause a ripple.

I would appreciate your support, thank you.

I have practiced family law in Winnipeg for over 10 years, including my articling year, both in a government position and in private practice.  My current position as a family law associate as Evans Pollock Family Law, and my former position as a staff lawyer at Legal Aid Manitoba at the Willow Community Law Centre, have provided me with a broad experience of the practice of family law.  I have had the opportunity to work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including those experiencing poverty as well as those with substantial financial resources, and to witness how family law issues can uniquely impact people based on their circumstances.

Throughout my practice I have worked with family law clients through the stages of the court process.  In my current role, I primarily work with clients on out-of-court resolutions such as negotiated agreements and Collaborative Family Law.

In addition to practicing family law, I hold an elected position with the Manitoba Bar Association, Family Law Section, and I served as the co-chair of the section for almost two years.  I am involved with Collaborative Practice Manitoba, currently sitting on the Governance Committee and Management Committee.   I am a volunteer with Law(yer) Strong peer support program and I have volunteered as a coach to Robson Hall, Faculty of Law students in the National Family Law Competition.

In my out-of-office life I enjoy yoga, running, and spin classes.  I am a parent to a toddler and now enjoy those activities even more, however, much less often.

Thank you very much!

Ashley is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s BComm and combined LLB/MBA degrees. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2010, to the Ontario Bar in 2014, and to the Manitoba Bar in 2019.

Ashley began her career at a law firm in Nova Scotia and practised family law, general litigation, employment and human rights, and wills and estates. Ashley’s next professional venture was in Ontario where she established Pledger Law to serve military families and the community in and around Canadian Forces Base Borden.

After her spouse was posted to Winnipeg in 2018, she made Manitoba home. Shortly thereafter, she joined the City of Winnipeg, where she has practiced mainly in the areas of litigation, labour and human rights. Currently, Ashley is the Acting City Solicitor for the City of Winnipeg and acting Director of the City’s Legal Service Department. She is part of a hard-working team and is proud of the work they have done for the City during her tenure.

Ashley has been active on a number of boards and committees including, a Board Member for the Springfield Minor Hockey Association and the Borden Family Resource Centre, a Commissioner with the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission, and a member of the Racial Equity Committee of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Ashley participated in the RMTC Lawyers Play in 2023 and has enjoyed getting to know the Manitoba Bar over the last six years.

Thank you for your vote!

A 2022 Call, Evan is currently an associate with Holloway Thliveris LLP, with his preferred area of practice being in Construction and Commercial Litigation. Evan graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law following a business degree from the University of Winnipeg.

As an advocate, Evan strives to be equal parts resolute and courteous, seeking practical solutions with principled analysis.

Community

Evan has built a substantial record of community engagement spanning over a decade. His service began with a volunteer program supporting developmentally delayed students, where he helped create inclusive learning environments. This early experience shaped his approach to advocacy and accessibility issues.

During his legal education, Evan served two terms as Student Senator for the Manitoba Law Students’ Association, where he advocated for curriculum improvements and enhanced student resources. His effectiveness in representing student interests led to his peer-nominated appointment to the University of Manitoba’s Senate Executive Committee, where he contributed to university-wide governance decisions and policy development.

Currently, Evan applies his governance experience as a member of the University of Winnipeg’s Board of Regents. As part of the board’s finance subcommittee, he helps oversee institutional budgeting, investment strategies, and financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability for the university.

Personal Interests

Away from legal briefs, Evan enjoys running, mountain biking, and following the Winnipeg Jets (particularly their prospects). Yet nothing quite matches his enthusiasm for good food and lively company around a well-set table.

My managing partner asked me why I would seek to be a bencher at this point of my career.  My answer:  I view this as an opportunity to give back to the profession that has given me so much.

I graduated from Robson Hall in 1981 and articled at Fillmore Riley, where I have practiced since.  That said, like many lawyers, my work has evolved over the years. I started out doing every kind of litigation (except criminal law), moved exclusively to commercial litigation, and then primarily intellectual property litigation.  I have tried cases at every level of court in Manitoba and in the Federal Court, argued in both our Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Appeal, and represented clients before various administrative boards and tribunals.  My interest in assisting clients in settling their disputes led me to train and act as a mediator.  I’ve also served as chair of arbitration panels.

Currently, my work is focussed on trademark prosecution.  Most (but not all) of my clients are lawyers retaining me to assist their clients.  As such, I have worked with firms large and small, from local sole practitioners to large international firms.  In many cases, my clients and I have discussed the future of the profession.  Some have shared their concerns about regulation.  As a result, I believe that I can bring to the table practitioners’ perspectives beyond just my own.

Prior to the introduction of CPLED, I was a panellist at the bar admission course and served as an examiner on the oral ethics portion of the final exam.  I have organized and presented at Law Society, MBA, and Federal Court CPD events and have chaired and served on committees for the Canadian Bar Association (trademarks), the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (ADR and trademarks), and the International Trademark Association (ADR, anti-counterfeiting).  I am one of five Canadians listed on the International Trademark Association’s Directory of Trademark Mediators.

In other arenas, I have been a board and committee member for the Manitoba Children’s Museum and a nonprofit personal care home.  In addition, I have been an audit committee member for a number of organizations.

In light of my past experiences, both as a Manitoba lawyer and in other roles, I feel that I have a lot to offer as a bencher and am ready to serve.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Steven

I was called to the bar in 2018 after completing my articles with Myers LLP, where I now carry on a civil litigation and employment law practice predominantly assisting individuals, Unions and First Nations. I have had the privilege of representing clients at all levels of court in Manitoba, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Throughout my time at law school and since joining the profession I have consistently sought opportunities to positively impact the legal community whether as a Vice President of the Manitoba Law Students Association, volunteering to assist Robson Hall with its advocacy courses or serving as co-chair to the Manitoba Bar Association Mid-Winter Planning Committee. I believe the opportunity to serve as a Bencher will further provide me with an opportunity to contribute to the legal profession and the Manitoba bar.

I believe my experience and commitment to contributing to the legal profession will allow me to fulfill the important role Benchers serve.