NOV 13TH SINCE TIME BEGAN 2015 ADE
LEGAL PROFESSIONS ACT : BC JUDGES ACT : CANADA JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Bencher’s Oath and Duties
All new Benchers must publicly declare the following oath (Law Society Rule 1-1.2 (1)) at their first Benchers meeting:
I, [name], do swear [or solemnly affirm] that I will:
- abide by the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society Rules and the Code of Professional Conduct;
- faithfully discharge the duties of a Bencher according to the best of my ability;
- uphold the objects of the Law Society; and
- ensure that I am guided by the public interest in the performance of my duties.
Bencher duties
Being a Bencher is a significant commitment to the public. All
Benchers, with the exception of the president and vice-presidents, are
volunteers who give significantly of their time and expertise.
Benchers must:
- attend all Benchers meetings (at least eight per year plus an annual weekend session);
- attend meetings of the committees and task forces to which they are appointed;
- act as judge on discipline hearing panels and credentials hearing panels;
- interview articled students;
- advise members on Law Society activities, and on matters of professional responsibility;
- act as liaison with local and county bar associations, and members of the public.
Benchers
Schedule of Bencher meetingsBencher meeting agendas and minutes
Bencher elections
Bencher’s oath and duties
Presidents and Treasurers, 1869 to present
There are two types of Benchers:
Elected Benchers: 25 lawyers who are elected by other lawyers in nine regions across BC.
Appointed Benchers: up to six non-lawyers who are selected by the provincial Cabinet to represent the public interest.
The Attorney General of British Columbia is also a Bencher although,
in practice, the Deputy Attorney General attends Bencher meetings on the
Attorney's behalf.
Any Bencher who has served for four terms or who has served as
President of the Law Society is recognized for life with the honorary
title of “Life Bencher.”
With the exception of the President and Vice-Presidents, all Benchers volunteer their time to the Law Society, which is a considerable commitment given the frequent meetings and membership to various committees.
Benchers serve minimum two-year terms and can be re-elected. The
President is the chief elected official of the Society, and serves a
one-year term in that position.
Elected Benchers
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Kenneth M. Walker, QC President Kamloops DistrictWozniak & Walker 533 Nicola Street Kamloops, BC V2C 2P9 Tel. 250.374.6226 |
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E. David Crossin, QCFirst Vice-President Vancouver County Sugden, McFee & Roos LLP Suite 700 – 375 Water Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5N3 Tel: 604.687.7700 |
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Herman Van Ommen, QCSecond Vice-President Vancouver CountyMcCarthy Tetrault LLP 1300 – 777 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K2 Tel: 604.643.7100 |
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Joseph Arvay, QC Vancouver County Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP P.O. Box 10026 Pacific Centre 25th Floor – 700 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3 Tel. 604.684.9151 |
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Edmund Caissie Westminster CountyCaissie & Company Law Corporation #205 – 15127 – 100th Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 0N9 Tel: 604-586-7200 |
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Pinder K. Cheema, QC Victoria County Ministry of Justice 3rd Floor – 940 Blanshard Street Victoria, BC V8W 3E6 Tel: 250.387.4481 |
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Jeevyn Dhaliwal Vancouver County Larlee Rosenberg Suite 600, Randall Building 555 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1Z5 Tel: 604.681.9887 |
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Lynal E. DoerksenKootenay County Ministry of Justice 201 Access Center 100 Cranbrook Street North Cranbrook, BC V1C 3P9 Tel: 250.426.1525 |
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Tom Fellhauer Okanagan district Pushor Mitchell LLP 3rd Floor, 1665 Ellis Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2B3 Tel: 250.762.2108 |
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Craig A.B. Ferris, QC Vancouver County Lawson Lundell LLP 1600 – 925 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2 Tel: 604.631.9197 |
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Martin Finch, QC Westminster County Baker Newby LLP 9259 Main Street P.O. Box 390 Chilliwack, BC V2P 6K2 Tel: 604.792.1376 |
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Miriam Kresivo, QC Vancouver CountyAlexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP 2700 – 700 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B8 Tel: 604.484.1797 |
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Dean P.J. Lawton Victoria County Carfra Lawton LLP 6th Floor, 395 Waterfront Crescent Victoria, BC V8T 5K7 Tel: 250.995.4253 |
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Jamie Maclaren Vancouver County Access Pro Bono Society of BC 300 – 845 Cambie Street Vancouver BC V6B 4Z9 Tel: 604.629.9666 |
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Sharon Matthews, QC Vancouver County Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman 400 – 856 Homer Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2W5 Tel: 604.331.9522 |
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Nancy G. Merrill Nanaimo CountyMerrill Long & Company 201 Milton Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2K5 Tel: 250.754.4441 |
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Maria Morellato, QC Vancouver CountyMandell Pinder LLP Suite 422, 1080 Mainland Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2T4 Tel: 604.681.4146 |
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David W. Mossop, QCVancouver County Community Legal Assistance Society 300 – 1140 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1 Tel: 604.685.3425 |
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C.E. Lee OngmanCariboo County Traxler Haines 614 – 1488 – 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 4Y2 Tel: 250.563.7741 |
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Gregory A. PetrisorCariboo County 512 – 1488 Fourth Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 4Y2 Tel: 250.563.4971 |
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Phil Riddell Westminster CountyPhilip A. Riddell Law Corporation 6222 – 2850 Shaughnessy Street Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6K5 Tel: 604.520.6033 |
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Elizabeth Rowbotham Vancouver County Ministry of Justice - Legal Services 1301 – 865 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2G3 Tel: 604.660.3093 |
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A. Cameron Ward Vancouver County Laxton Gibbens & Company 1119 – 808 Nelson Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H2 Tel: 604.682.3871 |
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Sarah Westwood Prince Rupert County Yuen Westwood Law Corporation 3707 2nd Avenue P.O. Box 1089 Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 Tel: 250.877.0218 |
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Tony Wilson Vancouver CountyBoughton Law Corporation 700 – 595 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V7X 1S8 Tel: 604.684.1800 |
