Calgary, September 1, 2024 – Robert D.L. Bassett of Calgary, begins his year-long term as the President of the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, which represents over 5,400 lawyers, justices, legal academics and law students in Alberta. He succeeds Kyle Kawanami, K.C. of Edmonton, who remains on the Board of Directors as Past President.
Called to the Bar in Alberta in 2000 (and British Columbia in 2005), Robert is a career prosecutor with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, specializing in domestic violence, early case resolution and youth criminal justice. He also trained with, and was previously seconded to, the Alberta Public Service Commission as an Indigenous Awareness co-facilitator and trainer; where he proudly partnered as an ally with Indigenous colleagues, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. As of 2022, he has served as a lead prosecutor in the Calgary Indigenous Court.
Robert’s involvement with the Canadian Bar Association is extensive and began when he was a student at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law in 1996. Among his many contributions to CBA Alberta, he co-chaired UCalgary’s Law Student Section for three years, served as co-chairperson and Executive Committee member of the Criminal Justice Section (South), and sat on the CBA Alberta Council for three years, which was replaced in 2019 by the Board of Directors. More recently, Robert chaired the Access to Justice Committee, through which he supported the My Justice Skills Project, the purpose of which is to advance public understanding of the justice system through early legal education in Alberta schools. Robert was elected to the CBA Alberta Executive Committee in 2021.
“I am proud to be a CBA member,” says Robert, “and I hope to emulate the past Presidents I have had the privilege to meet and work with, since law school. Improving access to justice, restoring decorum in the courtroom, and advocating for members of all demographics and of all areas of practice are among my priorities for my term as President.”
Robert welcomes members contacting him, or any member of the Executive Committee, with questions, concerns and feedback. He looks forward to connecting with law students, young lawyers and CBA Alberta members throughout his presidential year.
The CBA Alberta Board of Directors also welcomes new members Kathy Briere of Dentons LLP in Edmonton, who was elected as Executive Committee Secretary and will begin her term as President on September 1, 2027; and Board Directors Jonathan Griffith (Law Society of Alberta, Calgary), Michael Thorne (Brownlee LLP, Calgary), and Sierra Yanush (Bell & Stock LLP, Calgary). They join Sifa Serushago (Duke Law, St. Paul), who was elected to her second two-year term on the Board; and returning Board members Yoko Azumaya (Barr LLP, Edmonton), R. Travis Bissett (Stringam LLP, Lethbridge), Sania Chaudhry (Forte Law, Calgary), and Nerissa Young (Young Law Chambers, Edmonton).
About the Canadian Bar Association
The Canadian Bar Association is the largest professional association for lawyers, representing over 39,000 lawyers, justices, legal academics and law students across Canada; with over 5,400 members in Alberta. As the essential ally and advocate for our members, CBA Alberta promotes fair justice systems, facilitates effective law reform, and upholds equality in the legal profession and beyond.