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
Admissions and Education Committee
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:
Mathieu Lafrenière (Chairperson) | Dr. Richard Jochelson |
Timothy Kurbis (Vice Chairperson) | Kirsten Nynych |
Clair Cerilli-Stankevicius | Ayodeji Olunlade |
Gordon Daman | Jason Poettcker |
Ruphine Djuissi | Jocelyne Ritchot |
Serena Ehrmantraut | Chimwemwe Undi |
Miranda Grayson | Joshua Weinstein |
Simon Jack | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Eileen Derksen Joan Holmstrom Jamie Jurczak |
Admissions and Education Appeals and Trust Safety Appeals Sub-Committee
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:
Mathieu Lafrenière (Chairperson) | Kenneth Molloy |
Timothy Kurbis (Vice Chairperson) | Maureen Morrison |
Susan Boulter | Kirsten Nynych |
Clair Cerilli-Stankevicius | Sandra Oakley |
Gordan Daman | Ayodeji Olunlade |
Ruphine Djuissi | Jason Poettcker |
Serena Ehrmantraut | Keely Richmond |
Miranda Grayson | Jocelyne Ritchot |
Simon Jack | David Rondeau |
Dr. Richard Jochelson | Chimwemwe Undi |
Brian McLeod | Joshua Weinstein |
Staff: Joan Holmstrom Jamie Jurczak |
Complaints Investigation Committee
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:
Joshua Weinstein (Chairperson) | Kathleen McCandless |
Leah Unruh (Vice Chairperson) | Brian Mcleod |
Kassy Baker | Maria Mitousis |
Sherry Brown | Carmen Nedohin |
Kyle Dear | Gerrit Theule |
Gregory Evans, KC | Robert Tyler |
Robert Fleischaker | Deanna Wilson |
Eli Goldenberg | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Christopher Donaldson Harveer GrewalAshley Korsunsky Madison Pearlman |
Discipline Committee
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) | Brock Lee, KC |
Kathrine Basarab (Vice Chairperson) | Ellen Leibl, KC |
Douglas Bedford (Conflicts Chairperson) | Rhea Majewski |
Victor Bellay | Wendy Martin-White, KC |
Karlee Blatz | Nunziata Masi |
Susan Boulter | James McLandress, KC |
Bernice Bowley | Grant Mitchell, KC |
Tanya Brothers | Kenneth Molloy |
Richard Buchwald, KC | Maureen Morrison |
Katherine Bueti, KC | Sandra Oakley |
Roberta Campbell, KC | Ayodeji Olunlade |
Gordon Daman | Wayne Onchulenko |
Jeremy de Jong | Sacha Paul |
Grant Driedger, KC | Vivian Rachlis |
Barry Effler | Keely Richmond |
Lori Ferguson Sain, KC | David Rondeau |
Patrick Fortier | Dean Scaletta |
Jason Gisser | Ian Scarth |
David Gisser, KC | James Shaw |
David Gray | Trent Sholdice |
William Haight | Garth Smorang, KC |
Irene Hamilton, KC | Grant Stefanson, KC |
Jeff Hirsch, KC | Wendy Stewart |
Kameron Hutchinson | David Swayze, KC |
Simon Jack | Maureen Terra |
Teresa Jaenen | Mark Toews |
Tehani Jainarine | Lynda Troup |
Ashley Joyce | Dr. Lorna Turnbull |
Donald Knight, KC | Helga Van Iderstine, KC |
Timothy Kurbis | Gerri Wiebe, KC |
Mathieu Lafrenière | |
Staff: Leah Kosokowsky |
Equity Committee
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:
Kathrine Basarab (Chairperson) | Penny Piper |
Kassy Baker (Vice Chairperson) | Kobra Rahimi |
Jessica Carvell | Maureen Terra |
Raven-Dominique Gobiel | Leah Unruh |
Falilat Ibrahim | Gerri Wiebe, KC
|
Tehani Jainarine | Dominique Wightman |
Rhea Majewski | James Wood |
Ayodeji Olunlade | Celyna Yu |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Betta Wishart |
Practice and Ethics Committee
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:
Trent Sholdice (Chairperson) | Wendy Martin White, KC |
Jason Gisser (Vice Chairperson)
| Nunziata Masi |
Leib Feldman | Adam Meyers |
Robert Fleischaker | Robyn Otto |
Patrick Fortier | Nadia Rumore |
Nicole Hamilton | Andrew Torbiak |
Teresa Jaenen | Robert Tyler |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Betta Wishart |
Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee
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:
Robert Fleischaker (Chairperson) | Carmen Nedohin |
Mathieu Lafrenière (Vice Chairperson) | Ian Scarth |
Todd Andres | Trent Sholdice |
Kassy Baker | Sean Shore |
Kelly Dixon | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Tana Christianson |
Reimbursement Fund Claims Committee
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:
Robert Fleischaker (Chairperson)
| Carmen Nedohin |
Mathieu Lafrenière (Vice Chairperson) | Ian Scarth |
Todd Andres | Trent Sholdice |
Kassy Baker | Sean Shore |
Kelly Dixon | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuk, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Tana Christianson |
Special Committees and Working Groups
Access to Justice Committee
The Access to Justice Committee explores, sets policy, makes recommendations and coordinates initiatives to promote and enhance equal and accessible justice for Manitobans.
Members:
Leah Unruh (Chairperson) | Maria Mitousis |
Rhea Majewski (Vice Chairperson) | Kobra Rahimi |
Melissa Beaumont | Bonnie Schmidt |
Shasta Benaim | Maureen Terra |
Hon. Mr. Justice Theodor Bock
| Gerrit Theule |
Kameron Hutchinson | Deanna Wilson |
Tehani Jainarine | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Alissa Schacter |
Audit and Risk Committee
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:
Ken Mandzuik, KC (Chairperson) | Patrick Fortier |
Sharyne Hamm (Vice Chairperson)
| Wayne Onchulenko |
Kyle Dear | |
Staff: Leah Kosokowsky Alissa Schacter Sandra Alleyne |
Indigenous Advisory Committee
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) | Maria Mitousis |
Sacha Paul (Vice Chairperson) | Frankie Snider |
Elder Sherry Copenace (Knowledge Keeper) | Stacey Soldier |
Desiree Dorion | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Betta Wishart |
Investment Committee
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) | Wayne Onchulenko |
Robert Fleischaker (Vice Chairperson) | Sean Shore |
Kathrine Basarab | David Swayze, KC |
Gordon Daman | Joshua Weinstein |
Teresa Jaenen | |
Ex officio: Ken Mandzuik, KC Sharyne Hamm | |
Staff: Leah Kosokowsky Sandra Alleyne Tana Christianson |
Nominating Committee
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:
Kyle Dear (Chairperson) | Sharyne Hamm |
Ken Mandzuik, KC (Vice Chairperson) | Ian Scarth |
Kassy Baker
| Deanna Wilson |
Patrick Fortier | |
Staff: Leah Kosokowsky Alissa Schacter |
Richard J. Scott Award Selection Committee
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:
Ken Mandzuik, KC (Chairperson) | Patrick Fortier |
Sharyne Hamm (Vice Chairperson)
| Helga Van Iderstine, KC |
Hon. Mr. Justice R. Kenneth Champagne | |
Staff: Leah Kosokowsky |
