2024 Bencher Nominees

Kathrine Basarab is a current Bencher and hopes to earn your vote again. She graduated from Robson Hall in 2008, and apart from a six-month term at the Crown Law Analysis & Development section of Manitoba Justice, conducting research and provided analysis and recommendations to the Ministry on criminal and civil law related policy issues, has worked as a Crown Attorney since her call to the bar in 2009. She has wide-ranging criminal law experience and in 2020, completed a Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Procedure at Osgoode Hall. Currently, as a Supervising Senior Crown Attorney in the Training & Development Unit, she is responsible for mentorship and training of new Crown Attorneys alongside implementation and delivery of a structured Crown Attorney training and educational program.

The proud daughter of immigrants of Ukrainian descent, she is a stalwart of the local Ukrainian community. She is a past board member of the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council. She has volunteered at Folklorama’s Ukraine-Kyiv pavilion for decades and served as the pavilion’s adult ambassador in 2018. She is an alumna of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and alongside her vocal trio Lyra, a talented interpreter of Ukrainian folk songs and sacred music. She has performed live at multiple Ukrainian festivals across Canada and countless local community events.

Kathrine volunteers regularly with the local legal community’s many initiatives, including the Law Society’s Lawyers for Literacy program, guest lecturing at Robson Hall, judging the 2023 Jessup Moot, and as a member of the executive of the Criminal Law Section of the Manitoba Bar Association. She has written numerous Criminal Decisions articles for the “Headnotes and Footnotes” newsletter and has appeared in seven Lawyers’ Shows at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. She has served on the Bencher Board since late 2023 and is a current member of the Board of Directors at the Manitoba Children’s Museum.

Kyle is a partner at Taylor McCaffrey LLP, where she has practiced as a commercial, construction and insurance litigator since her articling year (1999) and Call to the Manitoba Bar (2000). She has experience in a broad range of practice areas, including insurance, contractual disputes, negligence, construction litigation, debtor/creditor litigation, administrative law, trust litigation and pension law matters. Kyle was recently selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2024 in the field of Construction Law (since 2024). Since early 2012, she has also practiced in the area of Indigenous Law, with a focus on Specific Claims.

Kyle has volunteered with the Law Society of Manitoba in various capacities for the past 15 years, and served as a Bencher from December 2018 to 2020 and May 2021 to the present. Kyle is currently the Chair of the Complaints Investigation Committee, the Vice Chair of the Practice and Ethics Committee, a member of the Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee, Reimbursement Fund Claims Committee, and is the Law Society representative for the Community Legal Education Association (CLEA). In addition, in the past, Kyle has sat on the Nominating Committee, Discipline Committee, President’s Special Committee on Health and Wellness, Admissions and Education Committee (Chair), Admissions and Education Appeals Committee (Chair), Equity Committee, President’s Special Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services, and the President’s Special Committee on Trust Safety.

Kyle was a longstanding member of her firm’s Continuing Legal Education Committee and Associates Committee (Co-Chair). She also participated as a Learning Group Facilitator for the CPLED program, and has served as a Principal several times. She recognizes the importance of working with, mentoring, and supporting junior lawyers.

In addition to her professional commitments, Kyle has volunteered with a number of community organizations over the years, including Siloam Mission, Winnipeg Harvest (now Harvest Manitoba), Freeze Frame, and Manta Swim Club.

In all that she does, Kyle tries to be fair, honest, practical, reasonable, and thoughtful; she brings a curious, objective, creative, insightful, and open-minded perspective to the Benchers’ table.

Kyle tremendously values her time and work as a Bencher to date, and would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the public, the members of the profession, and the Manitoba legal community as a whole, as a Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba.

I am asking for your support in this Election.

Presently, I am the Chief Adjudicator for The Manitoba Bylaw Enforcement Act and practice as a sole Practitioner, primarily as a Chartered Arbitrator and mediator. Prior to this, I was the Registrar-General of Manitoba overseeing the Manitoba Land Titles System.

Previously have served on the executive as Vice President, Communications Chair and Secretary-Treasurer of the Manitoba Bar Association.

Served as a chair and executive member of the CBA National ADR section.

Past director of the Manitoba Law Foundation.

Past member of the Winnipeg Foundation Appointing Board.

Extensive activity with the Law Society as both a Bencher and as a non- Bencher.

LSM committee appointments from 2011 to present:

• Discipline Committee 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
• Admissions and Education Committee 2020
• Conveyancing Practices Committee 2017, 2016, 2015, (2014 – Volunteer), 2013, 2012, 2011, (2008 to 2010 – Volunteer)
• Complaints Investigation Committee 2015, 2013 (Chairperson), 2012 (Vice Chairperson), 2011
• Equity Committee 2015
• Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee 2015
• President’s Special Committee on Representative Capacity 2015
• Community Legal Education Association 2015
• President’s Special Committee on Trust Safety (2014 – Volunteer)
• Practice and Ethics Committee (2014 – Volunteer), 2013, 2012 (Chairperson), 2011
• Legal Research Institute of Manitoba 2013, 2012

I am most interested in becoming a Bencher as an opportunity to give back to the legal community. My applicable experience includes several years of articling and practicing in the Calgary legal market and 17 years practicing 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. With this background, I strongly believe that I have the necessary skills, experience and well-rounded experience in the legal profession to be an asset to its governing body as a Bencher.

In my 23 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 am confident that 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 boards and committees:

• 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 entre for Professional legal education; and
• Director of Meals on Wheels.

These roles illustrate my interest in using my diverse background 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 acquire and appreciate many different perspectives. I have developed a passion for health and fitness and will work tirelessly to ensure 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. I firmly believe that my business acumen will complement the valuable work that has been completed to date and continues to be undertaken by Benchers and welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with our fellow members to benefit the community as a whole.

Called in 2017, Sharyne is a litigation lawyer at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP practising in the areas of construction litigation, commercial litigation, and administrative law. In her administrative law practice, she provides advice and advocacy pertaining to professional regulation and governance for self-governing professions.

Prior to being elected as a Bencher in 2022, Sharyne was elected as Student Bencher for 2016/2017 and served on the Admissions and Education Committee. Starting in 2022, Sharyne has served on various committees, including the Complaints and Investigation Committee, Access to Justice Committee (as Vice-Chairperson), Practice and Ethics Committee and the President’s Special Committee on Regulating Legal Entities.

A firm advocate for Canadians’ ability to obtain legal services and access to justice, she has volunteered at the Legal Help Center since her time in law school. Along with two of her TDS colleagues, she was awarded the MBA 2023 Pro Bono Award for their role in an intervention before the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.

Sharyne is committed to the development of young lawyers, volunteering as a coach for the Davies Corporate Securities Moot from 2017 to 2023 and working with her colleagues at the firm.

In the community, Sharyne sits on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Manitoba and is the President of Swimmingly, an organization she has volunteered with for more than 10 years.

Sharyne hopes to have the privilege of rejoining the Bencher table in 2024 to continue to work to ensure the competence and ethical practice of Manitoba lawyers.

Jeffrey King is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with PKF Lawyers in downtown Winnipeg and holds public office as the Chair of the Governance Committee / a Councillor of the Province of Manitoba’s Arts Council. He was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council pursuant to The Arts Council Act, CCSM c A140.

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 a variety of 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 2nd 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 and a program director for several community outreach organizations. In 2022, he was appointed as a Councillor of the Manitoba Arts Council and in 2023, he was appointed as the Chair of its Governance Committee. Jeffrey continues to serve in both these positions.

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.

Tim attended Robson Hall, graduating in 1990, with a call to the Manitoba Bar in 1991. He has practiced with Taylor McCaffrey LLP since that time, and has been a Managing Partner of the firm for over fifteen years. His practice is focused on Business Law, particularly in the M&A and commercial financing deal space. His experience in Corporate Law and governance has earned annual recognition with Best Lawyers consecutively since 2009.

Tim has demonstrated long service in the Manitoba legal community in roles such as past Chair of the Business Law Subsection of the MBA, as Sessional Lecturer at Robson Hall, and as contributor to Law Society and MBA continuing professional development programs and initiatives. He has also served on many boards and committees during his career, including the Fort Whyte Foundation, United Way Winnipeg Campaign Cabinets, the Manitoba Pension Commission, Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the Judicial Advisory Committee, and the Downtown Business Improvement Zone. Tim would welcome the opportunity, if elected, to serve the Bar as Bencher.

I am a partner with the estates and trusts boutique of Tradition Law LLP where I practice in estate litigation. I was called to the bar in 1997 and have practiced litigation in Winnipeg since then. I am completing my second two-year term as a bencher, and I’m hopeful of earning your vote for another term. In my time as bencher, I have served on number of committees, including as vice chair of the Discipline Committee, Indigenous Advisory, and Health and Wellness Committees, and the Access to Justice Committee.

I have also been involved locally and nationally with the Canadian Bar Association: I am currently in the middle of my first year on the CBA National Board of directors, I am a past president of the Manitoba Bar Association and a life council member; I am the former chair of the CBA Legislation and Law Reform Committee; I am a former co-chair of the MBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community section; I am currently on the executive of the MBA Wills and Estates Section. I am the former chair of the Insurance Agents and Adjusters Licensing Appeal Board, and a current alternate chair of the Manitoba Review Board (Criminal Code). I sit as the legal member of the Judicial Inquiry Board, and previously sat on the board of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association / Lawyers Financial as well as on the boards of several other non-profit organisations.

Not only to protect the public, but also to maintain and protect the privilege of being a self-regulating profession, I think it is imperative that our governing body represent and reflect the personal and professional diversity of our profession. Not every client is the same, not every lawyer is the same, not every workplace is the same, so not every bencher should be the same. It would be an honour and privilege for me to serve another term as a bencher.

I have been a Bencher since 2018 and I would like to continue doing so. I am hoping for your support.

I was called to the bar of Manitoba in 2002 and the bar of Ontario in 2006. I practice civil litigation and administrative advocacy (in French and English) as a partner with MLT Aikins LLP. Before joining MLT Aikins LLP, I was an associate, partner, and Managing Partner with Hill Sokalski Walsh LLP. I also practiced with the Ottawa offices of Heenan Blaikie LLP after articling and practicing at Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP. I served as a part-time Commissioner of the Worker’s Compensation Appeal Commissioner (2012-2022) and have recently been appointed as an arbitrator on the Manitoba Labour Board’s expedited arbitration list.

In addition to my experience as Bencher, I am also a past President of l’Association des juristes d’expression française du Manitoba, the immediate past President of la Société de la francophonie manitobaine, a past member of the Department of Justice Advisory Committee on Access to Justice in Both Official Languages and am Member of the Conseil Métis Elzéar Goulet and the Fédération Métis du Manitoba.

Afin d’assurer un accès égal à la justice et de servir le public en français, le Barreau du Manitoba doit continuer d’appuyer ses membres francophones et francophiles et de servir le public en français. Bien qu’il y eu bien du progrès, il reste toujours du travail à faire. Avec votre appui, j’aimerais continuer ce travail qui est fort nécessaire afin d’assurer l’accès à la justice dans les deux langues officielles.

I recognize the need for legal services to be accessible to the entire community. I am a dedicated supporter of pro bono work, and I am proud to have received the Manitoba Bar Association’s 2021 Public Interest Pro Bono award for my work as part of a team representing the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

The work of the Law Society is important to our ability to continue as a self-governing and independent profession. Many pressing issues will continue to require the attention of the Law Society, such as ensuring access to justice and continuing our work for delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Overall, the Law Society needs to proactively guide the profession through a landscape that changes daily and develop the appropriate regulatory framework and member support, all the while continuing to serve the public interest. In that regard, I believe that complex issues can only be properly addressed when those considering them bring to the table a diversity of views, perspectives, and backgrounds.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. Ça me ferait plaisir de discuter avec vous. Merci.
E: cmonnin@mltaikins.com T: 204.957.4621

After receiving my Juris Doctor from Robson Hall, Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba in 2018, I articled and practiced law at Smith Neufeld Jodoin LLP in Steinbach, MB. I received my call to the bar in 2019 and remained at Smith Neufeld Jodoin LLP for two years. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I obtained a Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness) in 2013 from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and worked for a national not-for-profit advocacy organization, the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers. Presently, I act as corporate legal counsel for Manitoba Public Insurance practicing primarily in the areas of contract, procurement, and privacy and access law.

Throughout my work and volunteer experience, I have developed a keen interest in professional and career development and continuing education. At Robson Hall, I was a member of the Professional Development Committee during the early development of the PDC wine and cheese event for small to medium-sized firms and in-house counsel, which I have enjoyed watching continue to flourish and grow. Now I have the pleasure of attending these events as a practicing lawyer, as well as acting as a Mentor with the MBA Mentorship Program. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in volunteer opportunities with both the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Bar Association. Presently, I am a committee member with the MBA Mid-Winter Organizing Committee and am a member of the Access to Justice Committee with the Law Society of Manitoba.

A highlight for me during my initial undergraduate degree was volunteering for Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba (AITC – MB) and being a Student Ambassador for the faculty presenting at schools and trades shows throughout the province teaching students the vast and various career opportunities one could have within the agriculture industry. I thoroughly enjoy meeting with students early on in their careers (legal or otherwise) and discussing the diverse opportunities available to them.

In addition to my interest in student development, I have extensive board experience. Presently, I am a board member for AITC-MB and was a board member for the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce from 2019-2021 where I was co-chair of the Business Excellence Awards and the Membership Services Committee Board Representative. While pursuing my law degree, I was the Senate Representative of the Manitoba Law Student Association and acted as President for the Business Law Group.

Having been raised on a family farm northwest of the City of Winnipeg and now working in Winnipeg for a Crown corporation, I hope to bring my unique mix of rural and in-house practice experience, as well as my passion for student development and career discovery, to the Law Society of Manitoba as a bencher.

Leah Unruh is a partner at Wolseley Law LLP, practising in the areas of family law, wills, and real estate. She is trained in Collaborative Family Law and is an active member of Collaborative Practice Manitoba, as well as serving on the board of Collaborative Practice Canada.

Leah Unruh graduated from Robson Hall in 2014 and was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 2015. She subsequently was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2016 and practiced in the areas of family and fertility law in Toronto and the surrounding area for several years before returning to Winnipeg to join Wolseley Law LLP in 2019, where she has practiced ever since.

Leah has served as an elected Bencher with the Law Society of Manitoba for the past two years, and currently sits on the Access to Justice committee and the Complaints Investigation Committee. She is a lawyer supervisor with the Law Library Hub project, a pilot project of the Law Society of Manitoba. She serves on the board of the Village Conservatory, a program for students wishing to learn musical theater, and volunteers with the Community Legal Education Association giving presentations on various areas of family law. Leah also takes the opportunity to speak to the students at Robson Hall whenever possible and has been a guest lecturer on several occasions on the topics of access to justice and limited scope retainers to students throughout the years.

Leah’s experience in working at a small firm, particularly one where a variety of areas of law are practiced, gives her a valuable perspective at the Bencher table. Leah has enjoyed her time as a Bencher so far and would appreciate the opportunity to continue in that role, if re-elected.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am a partner with Myers LLP, practicing almost exclusively in criminal defence. I was called to the bar in 1997 and became a partner at Myers in 2009.

I served as president of Manitoba Bar Association and am a life council member. I am a past chair of the Manitoba Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association Criminal Justice Section. In 2014, I was the recipient of the CBA’s Doug Miller Award which recognizes developing talent and which honours members who demonstrate characteristics of leadership to the profession.

I was appointed a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and currently serve on the Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy Committee and volunteer my time as a faculty member for the Diversity Trial Advocacy Program which takes place across North America.

For the past nine years, I have served on the planning committee for the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association conference and have lectured numerous times to both crown and defence counsel. I have enjoyed volunteering my time lecturing at the former CPLED program, at Robson Hall, and the University of Winnipeg.

I have volunteered on many court committees, most recently as a member of the Court of Appeal’s Fresh Evidence and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Committee.

Outside the practice of law, I serve as president of the Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education and serve on the boards of Border Crossings Magazine and Jazz Winnipeg.

My goal as Bencher is to serve the profession by promoting education in the areas of core competency, ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. My hope is that by promoting these values, our membership practices with integrity and that the public is well served by our profession. Lastly, a well-funded Legal Aid system is integral to serving the needs of those members of the public who cannot otherwise access legal representation. I will do whatever I can to promote access to counsel for low-income adults and youth.

Thank you for considering me for the role of Bencher.

Nichole L. Hiebert is an Associate at Franz Hoeppner Wiens Law Office in Winkler, Manitoba. Nichole was born in Steinbach and grew up in South East Manitoba, spending most of her time on her grandparents’ farms near Giroux and Marchand, Manitoba. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002 and was called to the bar in 2003. Nichole’s practice focuses on corporate and commercial law but also includes real estate, wills and estates and non-contested family law matters. Nichole was named a, ‘Jurist of Robson Hall’ for her work teaching, ‘Negotiation’ at the Law School. Nichole serves on the Manitoba Bar Association Council as the representative for the Western District and is Vice Chair of the, ‘Small, Solo and General Practice’ Division of the Manitoba Bar Association. She serves on the Board of Directors of United Way Pembina Valley and the Eden Mental Health Centre. Nichole and her husband Colin are proud hockey parents and volunteers with Winkler Minor Hockey. Nichole and her family recently restarted the family farm, growing a field of soybeans near Giroux, Manitoba.

I was elected as a Bencher for the Northern Electoral District in 2022 and have enjoyed representing Northern Manitoba for the last 2 years.

I am Indigenous from Misipawistik Cree Nation and have dedicated myself to serving the North since receiving my LLB in 1999. I have been practicing in Northern Manitoba since my Call and have been with Manitoba Prosecution Service since 2003. I became a Senior Crown Attorney in 2013 and then the Supervising Senior Crown Attorney in 2018, a position I continue to hold.

I was born and raised in the North and moved to Winnipeg to advance my education and then returned to the North after graduation and quickly realized in my articling year that I had an interest in criminal law and wanted to dedicate my professional career to service an underserviced area of the Province. I have experienced many of the issues that come with the legal system in the North, such as limited resources and staff shortages in all areas of the Justice System.

I have years of experience living in the North and working with the surrounding Indigenous communities, RCMP and Manitoba First Nation Police as well as many Justice Committee. I bring demonstrated experience, skills and knowledge relevant to continue being your Bencher in the North.

Thank-you.

Kameron