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regional wrap-up ATLANTIC A HEALTHY DOSE OF LAW & OAR-DER honoured by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce as a "healthy business." "We're hoping to win one again B this year," says Diane Norris, Boyne Clarke's executive director. It's more than wishful thinking. The firm, which has approximately 40 lawyers, has a track record for successful health and safety initiatives. "It stems from the overall firm culture, which is very people-driven." The most visible iteration of that support is the health and wellness committee, which meets monthly to assess health and safety issues and promote wellness. Recently, for example, the committee wanted to ensure each of the four floors the law firm occupies had a person trained in first aid. So the firm offered all lawyers and staff the chance to take a first aid course, including learning how to use an atrial defibrillator. The firm also offers annual fitness subsidies that can be used for buying everything from gym memberships, to sneakers, to a pedometer to track progress. Weight Watchers sessions have been hosted at the firm and employees have the option of having their Weight Watchers' fees deducted directly from their paycheque. Once a month, lunch time is also fitness time. Such initiatives, notes Norris, help to create a team spirit. Then there are the team events. Boyne Clarke has been taking to the water since the inception of the annual dragon boat races in Nova Scotia 12 years ago. This year's participants, "Law & Oar-der," were the top corporate fundraiser — the fourth oyne Clarke is going for the triple crown. For the past two years, the Dartmouth, N.S., firm has been Boyne Clarke's 2010 dragon boat team Law & Oar-der. year in a row the firm has won this award. The 20-plus-member team raised $11,040, bringing Boyne Clarke's four-year grand total to more than $39,000. There's more. The firm provides multiple health benefits including a confidential, online health assessment survey with followup report and target goals for each employee. It acts promptly when built environment or individual ergonomic issues arise; strives to limit staff risk on roads in bad weather by providing up-to- the-minute office closure updates by telephone; and offers paid time for staff to pursue volunteer opportunities. As a result, the team and the firm are healthier. The last reported accident occurred in 2003 and the absentee rate has improved. — DONALEE MOULTON donalee@quantumcommunications.ca NSBS trims the fat from council ranks T he Nova Scotia Barristers' Society council will shrink next year to 22 members from 33. The leaner council, says NSBS President Marjorie Hickey, will focus on "what is in the best interests of the society and the public." In 2008, the society established the task force on council composition to specifically explore the issue. "Once we opened the door and examined what was happening in other law societies and other law professions, it made us realize our size of council in proportion to our number of members was high," notes Hickey, who chaired the task force. "The . . . restructuring reduces the overall numbers, while at the same time maintains strong public representation, the diversity and value of perspectives brought by regional elections, and the opportunity for contributions from underrepresented communities. . . ." The new council will look like this: a president, first and second vice presidents, three public representatives, the dean of Dalhousie University's law school, a representative from the N.S. attorney general, 10 regional members, and three new members at large. Gone are the Canadian Bar Association position, the Association des juristes d'expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse seat, a spot for the representative of the attorney general of Canada, and a slot for the Lawyers' Insurance Association of Nova Scotia. — DM 2011 British Columbia Legal Telephone Directory INCLUDES E-MAIL ADDRESSES A complete, accurate and current listing of information. Also includes Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. Order your copy today at www.canadalawbook.ca • 1-800-565-6967 A Thomson Reuters business 6 SEPTEMBER 2010 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com CL banner_BC directory_7x1.indd 1 8/13/10 9:27:30 AM