The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC) is very pleased to announce Kerry L. Simmons, QC as its new Executive Director. Ms. Simmons assumes the role effective immediately, after serving as acting Executive Director since late last year.
CBABC President Margaret A. Mereigh said, “On behalf of our Executive Committee, it is my pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to our new Executive Director. Kerry has made significant contributions as interim ED and we are thrilled to have her officially in the role. This is an exciting time for CBABC as we craft a new governance model to serve our strategic plan, and now we have an energetic, new leader to guide us in the years ahead.”
Kerry L. Simmons, QC was called to the bar in 2000 and practiced with Cook Roberts LLP in Victoria, BC until 2018 in family law, risk management, employment law, commercial disputes, estate litigation, and professional negligence. She served on the firm’s management committee for four years.
Ms. Simmons joined CBABC in 1996 as a law student and became a member of the CBABC Executive Committee in 2008. She was CBABC President in 2012-13, leading the organization’s advocacy for legal aid funding. She also served on the Canadian Bar Association National Board, leading and developing its strategic, governance and financial changes for three years, culminating in her year as National President in 2017-18. Most recently, she co-chaired the CBA’s Truth & Reconciliation Task Force.
With extensive knowledge of the association’s history, mandate, culture and operations, member services and its role in the justice system, CBABC’s new Executive Director brings over twenty-five years of leadership experience and training, formal education in supervision, management and governance, and a decade of management experience of business operations and volunteers.
“This is such an exciting opportunity to move forward with CBABC, to work on behalf of BC’s lawyers, law students and judges,” said CBABC Executive Director Kerry L. Simmons, QC. “This organization can enhance a lawyer’s practice and well being, and our collective work can improve our justice system, which affects everyone in British Columbia.”
Ms. Simmons continued, “Working with people who share a common goal is what I enjoy most – putting ideas into action, solving problems, and supporting others to be their best. I look forward to continuing with CBABC members to do exactly that.”
The Canadian Bar Association is the professional organization representing more than 38,000 lawyers, judges and law students across Canada with 7,000 members in British Columbia.
Contact:
Kent Hurl - Member Communications Officer
604.646.7868 | media@cbabc.org