Membership

The Law Society maintains a database record of all Manitoba lawyers that includes current contact information, status, nature and location of practice.  This record assists to ensure that members receive up-to-date information from the Law Society and for members of the public to locate lawyers.  It also assists members to comply with their Law Society obligations that are triggered by a change in status.

anchor

Members are required to promptly advise if there has been a change in their location of practice, employment or contact information, per rule 2-75(2) .  Personal contact information is strictly for Law Society use and is not shared with the public.

To update employment information (such as a change of firm or practising arrangement), complete the Practice Update Form.

The following updates do not require a form and can be submitted via email to membership@lawsociety.mb.ca with the effective date of the change noted:

• Name Change (must attach proof of name change documentation)
• Home Address
• Personal Contact Information (email, phone, fax)
• Employment Contact Information (email, phone, fax)
• Canadian Calls to the Bar

Please contact membership@lawsociety.mb.ca for assistance with employment and contact changes.

Members in good standing may submit an Application to Withdraw from Practice including an Undertaking to the Law Society to not practise law in Manitoba following their withdrawal.  Completion of this form assists with the transition out of practice, the closing and storage of client files and closure of the trust account.

Members who leave active practise will be assigned non-practising status and for a period of three years thereafter, will:

• Appear on the Lawyer Lookup function on the Law Society website;
• Have access to the Member Portal; and
• Receive electronic communications from the Law Society, unless they opt out.

At the end of the three-year period, non-practising members can remain current on Law Society activities through the Law Society’s e-newsletter, the “Communiqué” available on the website.

Non-practising or suspended members wishing to return to practice, must submit, at least 30 days prior to their intended return date, the following:

1. 1. • Application to Resume Active Practice with the applicable fee; and
      • A Certificate of Standing from all governing bodies in which the member holds membership, dated no more than 30 days prior to the date of the application.

The Law Society may impose conditions or restrictions on a member’s practice as are considered appropriate.

A member who is approved to resume active practice, must pay the practising fee and professional liability insurance contribution within 30 days of being approved and prior to commencing practice.

The Law Society will prepare a Certificate of Standing at the request of a member.  To obtain a certificate, a member must submit a completed Certificate of Standing Request, to Debra Rossol, Assistant to Director | Regulation at drossol@lawsociety.mb.ca along with the applicable fee.

All practising and non-practising members will receive access to the member portal where members can access information such as invoices and on-line voting polls for Bencher Elections.

On occasion, the Law Society may provide basic contact information about practising members (name, business address, email address, fax and phone numbers) to professional legal associations, organizations and institutions without charge, in order to enhance communications with the profession and to facilitate the maintenance of mailing lists.  Contact information will be provided only when the requested information will be used for a purpose that will assist in fulfilling the mandate of the Law Society and will be secured in a manner that is satisfactory to the Law Society.

Members of the public are able to access basic contact information about practising members by accessing the “Lawyer Lookup” function on our website or by contacting us.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Privacy Information, please contact Rennie Stonyk, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at rstonyk@lawsociety.mb.ca.