LSM Initiatives

February is Black History Month

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Posted on February 14, 2022, Updated February 3, 2025

February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Black individuals have made to our communities, including the legal profession. It’s also a time to reflect on the systemic barriers Black people continue to face, both within the justice system and in society more broadly.

The Law Society’s Practice, Ethics, and Equity Advisor, Noelia Bernardo is here to support not only lawyers but also legal staff and clients who may encounter discrimination or inequities in legal settings. Whether you’re a Black lawyer, legal staff member, client, or anyone who feels they have experienced discrimination, please don’t hesitate to connect for guidance, resources, and a space where your concerns will be heard. Contact Noelia at 204-926-2019 or nbernardo@lawsociety.mb.ca.

My goal is to help ensure that the legal profession becomes a more inclusive and equitable space for everyone. Stepping into this role has reminded me how critical it is to listen and learn from the lived experiences of others—especially those who have faced systemic challenges. This month, I encourage all of us to think about how we can foster meaningful change—whether it’s through participating in CPD programs, attending community events, or creating space for important conversations about equity and inclusion. Together, we can build a legal profession that reflects and supports the diverse communities we serve.

– Noelia Bernardo, Practice, Ethics and Equity Advisor

2025 Events

On Monday, February 3, the Manitoba Chapter of The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL-MB) in partnership with the Manitoba Bar Association is hosting the Second Annual Sankofa Lecture. Join our Black Legal Community for this exciting event with special guest lecturer Dr. Adelle Blackett, McGill University Faculty of Law, Canada Research Chair in Transnational Labour Law. See details for this event and additional resources below to learn more about the history, contributions and experiences of Black people on the Prairies and in Canada – within and outside of the legal profession.

2nd Annual Sankofa Lecture in Honour of Black History Month   
Looking Back to Move Forward:
Why History Matters in the Quest to Achieve and Sustain Employment Equity for People of African Descent in Canada
Monday, February 3, 2025 | 2 pm –4 pm (CST)

2nd Annual Sankofa Lecture in Honour of Black History Month  Monday, February 3, 2025 | 2 pm –4 pm (CST)

Black History Manitoba’s website for a list of events to celebrate Black History month

Access to Justice Week Event: Reflecting on A2J Progress – October 25, 2023

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The Law Society of Manitoba is excited to partner with the Manitoba Bar Association and the University of Manitoba for the annual National Access to Justice Week. Together Manitoba will offer four free engaging virtual events open to the public.

On Wednesday, October 25 the Law Society will host a conversation Reflecting on A2J Progress & the Obligation to Advance A2J in Manitoba.

More Upcoming Events October 23 – 27, 2023

Tuesday, Oct 2412 noon - 2:00 p.m. (CDT)“L’accès à la Justice en Français: un monde à découvrir” (“Access to Justice in French: A World to Discover”)
Hosted by the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
Wednesday, Oct 25
12 noon - 2:00 p.m. (CDT) “Are we there yet? Reflecting on A2J Progress & the Obligation to Advance A2J in Manitoba” Hosted by The Law Society of Manitoba
Thursday, Oct 2612 noon – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)“Racial Equity, Legal Education, and Access to Justice“ Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association
Friday, Oct 2712 noon – 1:00 p.m. (CDT)“Access to Justice in Family Law and Navigating a File with a Self-Represented Litigant” Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association
Click to Learn More & Register

National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21

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Posted on June 20, 2022, Updated June 20, 2023

National Indigenous peoples Day is Wednesday, June 21. It is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Here are some ways you can mark the day:

For more  ideas for how to celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day check out this list from The Canadian Bar Association.

Time to Fill the Gap in Our Education

With the launch of The Path this fall the Law Society looks to fill the gap in the legal profession’s education and understanding of Indigenous peoples’ history, cultures and experiences. Law Society Past Presidents Sacha Paul and Anita Southall reflect on their educational experiences, changes in the law and where they hope The Path will take us.

Learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day

Mandatory Indigenous Training for Lawyers Launches October 2023

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Time to Fill the Gap in Our Education

New Indigenous Intercultural Awareness and Competency Training launches October 2, 2023. To learn more about this education requirement for lawyers, visit The Path LSM FAQ page.

Here, you will find general background information about the course and this initiative, as well as resources and videos from The Honourable Murray Sinclair and Law Society Past Presidents Sacha Paul and Anita Southall.

What’s Involved and What Are the Requirements for Lawyers

Providing the Foundational Education Needed to Support All Manitoba Clients

Happy International Women’s Day

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Happy International Women’s Day. Today we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In the legal profession, we have much to celebrate. Women have come a long way since 1916, when Isabel Maclean Hunt became the first woman in Manitoba to receive an LL.B. Yet there remains much work to do.

While roughly half of all students entering common law schools in Canada have been female since the 1990’s, women remain under-represented among the ranks of equity partners in private firms and in senior management roles. This under-representation is more acute for racialized women and those from other historically marginalized groups. The gender pay gap persists in the legal profession as documented in recent studies including the report on Pay Equity in the Legal Profession, co-authored by Erin C. Cowling and the Women Lawyers Forum Pay Equity Committee and in the In-House Counsel Compensation & Career Survey, conducted by The Counsel Network and the CCCA.

The report on Pay Equity in the Legal Profession identified a series of challenges including:

  • A lack of transparency and therefore accountability for ensuring fair and equitable compensation

  • Firms expect women of child-bearing age to take maternity leave so give them fewer opportunities

  • Inequitable distribution of files and better business development opportunities being offered to male associates, leading to faster career progression, earlier partnership and higher pay, and

  • A widespread impression among female lawyers that they were expected to take on volunteer administrative work which is not valued by the firm while the same expectations are not placed on men

Read about the discussions that took place and the recommendations that resulted from the Roundtable on the Retention of Women in the Legal Profession in Manitoba, which included close to 100 women lawyers. The event was organized by the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges, along with the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Bar Association.

Having women from diverse backgrounds at the decision making table in law firms, government legal departments and corporate boardrooms leads to higher performance and better results across the board. We all benefit when we #EmbraceEquity.

The Law Society’s Equity Officer is available to speak with you privately or make a presentation about practical steps you can take to embrace equity, diversity and inclusion in your workplace.

Improving the Retention & Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession – Final Report

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Earlier this year, the International Association of Women Judges Canadian Chapter partnered with the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Bar Association to host a Women’s Roundtable to discuss issues associated with the advancement and retention of women in the legal profession. The Final Report for this event is now available. The report provides an excellent summary of the insights and experiences of female and non-binary lawyers, along with several recommendations on how to improve the retention and advancement of women in the profession.

Click to Download the Final Report

Access to Justice Week Event: People-Centred Data Collection – October 25, 2022

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New ~ Registration for National Access to Justice Week is now open!

The Law Society of Manitoba is excited to partner with the Manitoba Bar Association and the University of Manitoba for the third annual National Access to Justice Week. Together Manitoba will offer four free engaging virtual events open to the public.

On Tuesday, October 25 the Law Society will host a conversation highlighting the latest research findings on People-Centred Data Collection studies featuring Susan McDonald from Justice Canada.

More Upcoming Events October 24 – 28, 2022

Monday, Oct 2412 noon - 1:30 p.m. (CDT)Dispute Resolution at Administrative Tribunals in Manitoba
Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association
Tuesday, Oct 25
12 noon - 2:00 p.m. (CDT)People-Centred Data Collection
Hosted by The Law Society of Manitoba
Wednesday, Oct 2612 noon - 1:00 p.m. (CDT)Access to Justice Clinics and Organizations in Manitoba:
Where law students assist with the A2J crisis
Hosted by the University of Manitoba- Faculty of Law
Friday, Oct 2812 noon - 1:30 p.m. (CDT)Flat Rates, Unbundling and Coaching:
An Overview of Alternative Private Bar Legal Services Provision
Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association
Click to Learn More & Register

Registration for National Access to Justice Week is now open!

This year’s theme is “Access to Justice Counts: Using data to address the legal needs of Canadians.” To learn more about upcoming virtual and in-person events aimed at advancing systemic change in the justice system, including feature panels, workshops & public seminars, view the national event calendar.

University of Manitoba Joint Access to Justice Research Study

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Research on the access to justice needs of Manitobans is currently being conducted by Professor Gerard Kennedy of the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and Manitoba’s Access to Justice Coordinator, Natasha Brown, with the support of the Law Society of Manitoba. Its purpose is to garner legal professionals’ views on the Legal Service Needs of Manitobans. Feedback from the profession will assist in the better tailoring of policy responses to facilitate access to justice in Manitoba.

Manitoba articling students, practising and non-practising lawyers can participate by completing this anonymous/confidential short 15 minute survey by Thursday, September 29. This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus. To learn more please see the consent form for this research study.

For questions about this study, please contact Gerard J. Kennedy, Assistant Professor Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba at gerard.kennedy@umanitoba.ca or Natasha Brown, Access to Justice Co-ordinator at nbrown@lawsociety.mb.ca.

Start this Survey

Celebrate Pride Week 2022

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The Law Society wishes all of our friends and colleagues Happy Pride.

We are thrilled to once again co-host a reception to celebrate the legal achievements and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers and activists in promoting equality and human rights.

Notice of Joint Event:

Manitoba Bar Association SOGIC (Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Community) Section & The Law Society Of Manitoba
Thursday, June 9 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

For full event details visit the MBA website. 

Pride Week  May 27 – June 5, 2022

upcoming events and additional resources

Part Time Practising Fees – Pilot Program Launches April 1, 2022

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Law Society benchers recently approved a two-year part-time practising fees pilot program, commencing April 1, 2022. This exciting initiative will help promote greater equity, diversity and inclusion within the profession, helping to increase access to justice for all Manitobans.

Offering a part-time practising fee for eligible lawyers who practice part-time to accommodate their child care or other regular family care-giving responsibilities is a way of recognizing that not all lawyers fit the traditional model of full-time practice. The goal of this initiative is to help reduce the rates of attrition of young female lawyers from private practice and provide flexibility to lawyers with significant, ongoing care-giving responsibilities for other family members. The pilot program will provide the Law Society an opportunity to gauge the level of interest in part-time practice before making any final decisions with respect to a part-time practising fee structure.

To learn more about the pilot program visit LSM Initiatives:

Part-Time Practising Fees