Standing Committees & Working Groups

Note:   The President and Vice-President are ex-officio members of all committees, except the Admissions and Education Appeals and Trust Safety Appeals Sub-Committee, and the Discipline Committee.

Standing Committees

The Admissions and Education Committee sets policy related to continuing professional development as well as the admission and re-admission of persons to the Bar.

Members:

Serena Ehrmantraut (Chairperson)
Dr. Richard Jochelson
Joshua Weinstein (Vice Chairperson)
Leah Leibl
Clair Cerelli-Stankevicius
Jason Poettcker
Ruphine Djuissi
Jocelyne Ritchot
Kalanit Faingold
Chimwemwe Undi
Miranda Grayson
Gerry Wiebe, KC
Simon Jack
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Eileen Derksen
Joan Holmstrom
Richard Porcher
Rennie Stonyk

The Admissions and Education Appeals and Trust Safety Appeals Sub-Committee hears and decides appeals of decisions made by the Chief Executive Officer or the Director of the Admissions and Membership Department, the Director of the Education, or the Director of the Audit Department as designates of the Chief Executive Officer.

Members:

Serena Ehrmantraut (Chairperson)
Leah Leibl
Joshua Weinstein (Vice Chairperson)
Brian McLeod
Susan Boulter
Kenneth Molloy
Miriam Browne
Maureen Morrison
Clair Cerelli-Stankevicius
Sandra Oakley
Kalanit Faingold
Jason Poettcker
Miranda Grayson
Keely Richmond
Simon Jack
David Rondeau
Dr. Richard Jochelson
Gerry Wiebe, KC
Staff:
Rennie Stonyk
Richard Porcher

The Complaints Investigation Committee considers matters which raise concerns of “professional misconduct”, “conduct unbecoming a barrister and solicitor” or “incompetence” on the part of lawyers.  This Committee can dispose of a complaint in a number of ways.  If the Committee is satisfied that a complaint discloses professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming a barrister and solicitor or incompetence, the Committee may authorize that charges be laid and direct that an inquiry be held before the Discipline Committee.

Members:

Sharyne Hamm (Chairperson)
Eli Goldenberg
Joshua Weinstein (Vice Chairperson)
Janesca Kydd
Kassy Baker
Brian Mcleod
Sherry Brown
Gerrit Theule
Jeremy de Jong
Robert Tyler
Gregory Evans
Lean Unruh
Robert Fleischaker
Deanna Wilson

Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Christopher Donaldson
Ashley Korsunsky
Madison Pearlman
Spencer Weisensel

The Discipline Committee holds an inquiry when a charge of professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming a barrister and solicitor or incompetence has been authorized. If the lawyer is convicted of such charges, the Discipline Committee may reprimand, fine, impose conditions of practice on, suspend, disbar or permit the lawyer to resign, and may make an order of costs.

Members:

Heather Leonoff, KC (Independent Chairperson)
Ellen Leibl, KC
Kathrine Basarab (Vice Chairperson)
Rhea Majewski
Douglas Bedford (Conflicts Chairperson)
Wendy Martin-White, KC
Victor Bellay
Nunziata Masi
Susan Boulter
James McLandress, KC
Karlee Blatz
Grant Mitchell, KC
Miriam Browne
Kenneth Molloy
Richard Buchwald, KC
Maureen Morrison
Katherine Bueti, KC
Carmen Nedohin
Roberta Campbell, KC
Sandra Oakley
Gordon Daman
Wayne Onchulenko
Grant Driedger, KC
Anu Osborne
Barry Effler
Sacha Paul
Serena Ehrmantraut
Penny Piper
Lori Ferguson Sain, KC
Vivian Rachlis
Patrick Fortier
Keely Richmond
Gary Gilmour
David Rondeau
David Gisser, KC
Dean Scaletta
David Gray
Trent Sholdice
Irene Hamilton, KC
James Shaw
Jeff Hirsch, KC
Garth Smorang, KC
Kameron Hutchinson
Grant Stefanson, KC
Simon Jack
Wendy Stewart
Teresa Jaenen
David Swayze, KC
Tehani Jainarine
Maureen Terra
Ashley Joyce
Mark Toews
Donald Knight, KC
Lynda Troup
Timothy Kurbis
Dr. Lorna Turnbull
Mathieu Lafrenière
Gerry Wiebe, KC
Brock Lee, KC
Bradley Zander

Staff:
Leah Kosokowsky
Rennie Stonyk

The Equity Committee considers and provides strategic advice and recommendations to the benchers and staff on a variety of policy issues and program initiatives aimed at advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the regulation of the legal profession and in the delivery of legal services.

Members:

Leah Unruh (Chairperson)
Cameron Mckay
Penny Piper (Vice Chairperson)
Elissa Neville
Kassy Baker
Joseph Pelletier
Raven-Dominique Gobiel
Kobra Rahimi
Falilat Ibrahim
James Wood
Tehani Jainarine
Celyna Yu
Rhea Majewski
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Betta Wishart

The Practice and Ethics Committee considers requests from members of the legal profession for practice direction on matters which apply to the profession in general and for ethical advice on practice-related matters. The Committee will also consider and make recommendations to benchers on specific practice-related issues.

Members:

The Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee sets policy in fulfilment of the Law Society’s mandate to protect the public by providing all practising lawyers in Manitoba with mandatory professional liability insurance for errors or omissions in connection with the rendering of professional services. The Committee considers insurance claims in excess of $125,000 and also considers appeals made by claimants where the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of Insurance as designate, has refused to pay a claim or part of a claim under $125,000.

Members:

Timothy Kurbis (Chairperson)
Teresa Jaenen
Mathieu Lafrenière (Vice Chairperson)
Sean Shore
Gordon Daman
Helga Van Iderstine, KC
Kelly Dixon
Bradley Zander
Robert Fleischaker
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Tana Christianson

The Reimbursement Fund offers reimbursement to clients of lawyers for losses sustained as a result of the misappropriation or conversion of trust funds by their lawyer. The Reimbursement Fund Claims Committee considers reimbursement claims over $25,000 and appeals made by claimants where the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of Insurance as designate, has refused to pay a claim or part of a claim under $25,000. The Committee also considers and makes recommendations to Benchers regarding the policies which govern the Reimbursement Fund.

Members:

Timothy Kurbis (Vice Chairperson)
Teresa Jaenen
Mathieu Lafrenière (Vice Chairperson)
Sean Shore
Gordon Daman
Helga Van Iderstine, KC
Kelly Dixon
Bradley Zander
Robert Fleischaker
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Tana Christianson

Special Committees and Working Groups

The Access to Justice Committee explores, sets policy, makes recommendations and coordinates initiatives to promote and enhance equal and accessible justice for Manitobans.

Members:

Kathrine Basarab (Chairperson)
Kobra Rahimi
Leah Unruh (Vice Chairperson)
Bonnie Schmidt
Hon. Justice Ted Bock
Stacey Soldier
Patrick Fortier
Gerrit Theule
Sharyne Hamm
Deanna Wilson
Rhea Majewski
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Alissa Schacter

The Audit and Risk Committee will review the audit plan of the Society’s independent auditors and receive the financial statements at the conclusion of the audit.

Members:

Gerri Wiebe, KC (Chairperson)
Carmen Nedohin
Vacant (Vice Chairperson)
Wayne Onchulenko
Timothy Kurbis
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Leah 
Kosokowsky
Rennie Stonyk
Sandra Alleyne

Indigenous Advisory Committee was created to help guide the Law Society in its ongoing response to the TRC’s Calls to Action.

Members:

Jessica Saunders (Chairperson)
Elissa Neville
Vacant (Vice Chairperson)
Sacha Paul
Desiree Dorion
Frankie Snider
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Staff:
Betta Wishart

The Investment Committee monitors the Law Society’s investment portfolio, reports to benchers on compliance, and makes recommendations to benchers regarding the Law Society’s investment policies.

Members:

Timothy Kurbis (Chairperson)
Carmen Nedohin
Gordon Daman (Vice Chairperson)
Trent Sholdice
Robert Fleischaker
Sean Shore
Tehani Jainarine
David Swayze, KC
David Marr
Bradley Zander
Ex officio:
Kyle Dear
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC 
Staff:
Leah Kosokowsky
Sandra Alleyne
Tana Christianson

The Nominating Committee makes recommendations regarding the appointment of candidates to fill the appointed practising bencher and lay bencher positions; develops the membership of all standing and special committees; and makes recommendations regarding the appointment of representatives to external boards and organizations.

Members:

Gerri Wiebe, KC (Chairperson)
Carmen Nedohin
Kyle Dear
Penny Piper
Patrick Fortier
Trent Sholdice
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Leah Kosokowsky
Rennie Stonyk

The Strategic Planning Committee will guide benchers in the development of the Society’s new Strategic Plan which will come into effect in 2025.

Members:

Gerri Wiebe, KC (Chairperson)
Sharyne Hamm
Carmen Nedohin (Vice Chairperson)
Mathieu Lafrenière
Gordon Daman
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Staff:
Leah Kosokowsky
Rennie Stonyk
Alissa Schacter

The Richard J. Scott Award is presented annually to an individual who advances the rule of law through advocacy, litigation, teaching, research or writing.  Activities that support an independent judiciary, an independent legal profession, access to legal services, access to justice, and public interest advocacy are all eligible.  The Richard J. Scott Award Selection Committee selects the recipients of this award.

Members:

Kyle Dear (Chairperson)
Carmen Nedohin
Kenneth Mandzuik, KC
Helga Van Iderstine, KC
Hon. Justice R. Kenneth Champagne
Staff:
Leah Kosokowsky