Find the latest media releases, media coverage, legislative updates, statements and more.
News | March 20, 2025
Welcome to the new CBA-Alberta.org
We are excited to announce that the new and improved CBA-Alberta.org has officially launched. This significant upgrade reflects our commitment to enhancing your experience and providing the best possible support for your professional journey.
News | March 11, 2025
CBA Alberta launches new Law Matters website
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the brand-new Law Matters website! This exciting update offers a fresh, modern look and several new features to enhance your experience and keep you connected with the latest content from our talent contributors.
News | February 03, 2025
Alberta’s Access to Justice Week highlights the importance of supporting organizations across the justice sector
FEBRUARY 3, 2025 – The seventh annual Alberta Access to Justice Week is taking place from February 3 – 7, 2025. This year’s theme is “Lifting communities through the power of pro bono,” to highlight how the pro bono contributions of lawyers improve access to justice in our province and to build awareness of the important organizations that rely on volunteer lawyers to deliver legal services to clients.
Access to Justice Week is also a reminder of the importance of adequate and sustainable funding for the justice sector. In particular, dependable government funding for legal aid services is key to improving access to justice. Our 2020 study, Cost and Saving Modeling for Legal Aid Funding, makes the business case that modest increases in government funding to Legal Aid Alberta would result in a net cost savings to the government, would ultimately allow more Albertans to access legal aid services, and reduce the number of unrepresented litigants in our court system, thereby reducing overall court costs and wait times.
News | January 14, 2025
Join the CBA National Board of Directors
Interested in ensuring the necessary resources for CBA Branches and National to provide services and programs to members? Looking to leverage your CBA Alberta knowledge at the national level?
The CBA Alberta Board of Directors will select the next CBA National Board member from Alberta to serve a two-year term from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027. The job of the National Board is to ensure the necessary resources for CBA, CCCA and Branches and provide oversight of the work of the National Office.
News | December 04, 2024
Announcing the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners
Jointly presented by the Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch and the Law Society of Alberta, the Distinguished Service Awards recognize the best and brightest of Alberta's legal profession.
We are pleased to announce the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners: Carsten Jensen, K.C. (JSS Barristers, Calgary) for Service to the Profession, David Benjestorf (Alldritt Land Corporation, Ednonton) for Service to the Community, Eric M. Adams (University of Alberta Faculty of Law, Edmonton) for Service to Legal Scholarship, Anna Jane Samis Lund (University of Alberta Faculty of Law, Edmonton) for Pro Bono Legal Service, and Lillian Y. Pan, K.C. (Dentons, Calgary) for Service in Promoting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession.
News | November 13, 2024
Make your voice heard: Professional regulatory body review
The Government of Alberta is conducting a review of professional regulatory bodies in the province, including the regulation of the legal profession.
News | October 11, 2024
Phase II of the National Study on Wellness in the Legal Profession, with a specific report on Alberta, is released
The second phase of the national study on wellness in the legal profession has been published, sharing critical insights into the mental, physical, and emotional challenges within the legal profession in Alberta.
News | October 09, 2024
World Mental Health Day 2024
World Mental Health Day is on Thursday, October 10, and the theme “Mental Health at Work” could not be more relevant for members of the legal profession. Lawyers are more likely to suffer from higher levels of psychological distress than the rest of the Canadian working population, and CBA Alberta is committed to working towards a healthier legal profession for all.
News | September 16, 2024
Canadian Bar Association, Manitoba Branch, addresses removal of Manitoba MLA Mark Wasyliw
The Manitoba Bar Association is deeply concerned by the removal of NDP MLA Mark Wasyliw from caucus, which has been linked to his association with criminal defence lawyers. This decision raises serious concerns about the role and perception of defence lawyers in our justice system.
News | September 04, 2024
Statement on the new Legal Aid Alberta governance agreement
CBA Alberta was pleased to receive notice of the successful signing of a new governance agreement for Legal Aid Alberta. This milestone is a testament to the collective efforts and commitment of the Government of Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta; and it underscores the shared dedication of stakeholders across the legal profession to ensuring that legal aid services remain accessible for Albertans.
News | September 01, 2024
Robert D.L. Bassett begins term as President of the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch
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.
News | July 03, 2024
CBA Alberta statement on the expiration of the Legal Aid Alberta governance agreement
CBA Alberta is concerned about the recent announcement of the expiration of the Legal Aid Alberta governance agreement.
News | June 24, 2024
Statement from CBA Alberta President on appointment of Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench
On behalf of the Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch and our 5,400 members across the province, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Kent Davidson on his appointment as Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta.
| May 23, 2024
Introducing the 2024-25 CBA Alberta Board of Directors
Congratulations to the successful candidates in the 2024 Board election. The following new members will join the CBA Alberta Board of Directors on Spetmber 1, 2024 for the start of their two-year terms:
- Jonathan Griffith (Law Society of Alberta, Calgary)
- Sifa Serushago (Duke Law, St. Paul)
- Michael Thorne (Brownlee LLP, Calgary)
- Sierra Yanush (Bell & Stock LLP, Calgary)
| April 09, 2024
CBA Alberta in the news
Alberta premier tells justice minister to look at court resources, legal aid in mandate letter
| March 06, 2024
The Canadian Bar Association and Thomson Reuters release reports on the state of the legal market in Canada
The Canadian Bar Association (CBA), in collaboration with Thomson Reuters, have released the inaugural State of the Canadian Law Firm Market and Canadian Government Lawyers Benchmark reports. These reports offer insights into how firms and government lawyers assess and measure their success, goals, risks, and challenges in today’s legal landscape.
News | March 01, 2024
CBA Alberta responds to Alberta Budget 2024
The Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta), acknowledges the funding commitments by the Alberta government to modernize the justice system in our province, such as through the Justice Digital project. These advancements are essential to improving efficiency and accessibility within our legal system, ultimately benefiting both legal professionals and the public.
| February 08, 2024
CBA Alberta past president Bianca Kratt, K.C. elected national Vice President of the Canadian Bar Association
The Canadian Bar Association is pleased to announce that Bianca Kratt, K.C., the CBA Board member from Alberta, has been elected to the position of Vice President for 2024-2025. She will serve as CBA President the following year.
| January 29, 2024
CBA Alberta Building Security
The safety of CBA Alberta members, volunteers and staff is of the utmost importance. With more members returning to in-person meetings and events, we want to remind you of the security measures in place at our offices in Calgary and Edmonton.
| November 20, 2023
The Canadian Bar Association calls for more work to be done to realize children’s rights across Canada
To mark World Children’s Day today, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and its Child and Youth Law Section call on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to develop and make public detailed action plans in response to the Concluding Observations to Canada of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
| August 23, 2023
CBA Alberta SOGIC is now SAGDA
CBA Alberta SOGIC is changing its name to CBA Alberta SAGDA.
| August 11, 2023
CBA Alberta Past President Bianca Kratt, K.C., appointed to the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments
The Canadian Bar Association welcomes the announcement that its nominee, Bianca Kratt, K.C., has been appointed to the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments.
| August 02, 2023
CBA Alberta statement on the mandate letter for the Minister of Justice
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) congratulates The Honourable Mickey Amery on his appointment as Minister of Justice for Alberta, and welcomes several of the priorities outlined in his mandate letter, released yesterday.
| July 18, 2023
CBAAB Past President Bianca Kratt, KC, elected to CBA National Board of Directors
The following new members will join the CBA Board of Directors on September 1, 2023, and start two-year terms: Bianca Kratt – Alberta; Ken Mandzuik – Manitoba; Loreley Berra Chekay K.C. – Saskatchewan.
| June 19, 2023
CBA Alberta awards 2023 Cecilia Johnstone Award to Randall Osgood
On Thursday, June 15, the CBA Alberta was pleased to present Mr. Randall (Randy) Osgood with the Cecilia Johnstone Award for Outstanding Service.
| May 30, 2023
CBA Alberta responds to the results of the 2023 Alberta Provincial General Election
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) congratulates all successful candidates in the 2023 Alberta Provincial General Election.
| May 01, 2023
CBA Alberta calls on parties to make justice issues a priority this provincial election
A sustainable and accessible justice system as an important priority for Albertans according to public opinion research undertaken by Nanos Research on behalf of CBA Alberta. CBA Alberta is calling on all political parties in the provincial election to commit to increasing resources for the justice system. The justice system has been systemically underfunded by successive governments, and while recent investments are welcome, there is still more to be done.
| February 28, 2023
CBA Alberta responds to Alberta Budget 2023
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) recognizes the commitments made by the Government of Alberta in Budget 2023 to funding justice initiatives.
| February 16, 2023
CBA Alberta statement on the family lawyers' day of action
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) has long advocated for additional supports for the family justice system.
| February 08, 2023
CBA Alberta statement on the results of the special meeting of the Law Society of Alberta
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) is pleased with the outcome of the February 6, 2023 special meeting of the Law Society of Alberta, at which the resolution to repeal Rule 67.4 was defeated.
| January 30, 2023
CBA Alberta statement on the resolution to repeal Rule 67.4 of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta
The Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch (“CBA Alberta”) is aware that a special meeting of the Law Society of Alberta has been called for February 6, 2023 to vote on a resolution to repeal Rule 67.4 of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta (the “Rules”).
| December 12, 2022
Recommendations released from national study on wellness in the legal profession
Findings from a recent national study on wellness in the legal profession raised alarms regarding the mental health of Canadian legal professionals.
| December 06, 2022
CBA Alberta statement on the death of J. Patrick Peacock K.C.
CBA Alberta statement on the death of J. Patrick Peacock K.C.
| October 27, 2022
The first comprehensive national study on wellness in the legal profession is published
Findings from the first comprehensive national study of its kind paint an alarming picture of the wellness of Canadian legal professionals.
| September 29, 2022
CBA Alberta statement on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
The CBA is committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and to participating in our own journey of reconciliation as an association.
| September 01, 2022
Introducing CBA Alberta President Amanda Lindberg
On September 1, Amanda Lindberg became the 2022-23 President of the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch, after originally joining the executive in 2019 when she was acclaimed as Secretary.
| August 29, 2022
CBA Alberta statement on calls for increased funding for Legal Aid Alberta
The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch has long advocated for adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for the justice system as a whole, including legal aid.