Assistance for Lawyers

HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

Access mental health & wellness support across Manitoba.

Recording of Webinar and Materials presented at February 28, 2020 Well-being CPD 'Suicide: Facing a Difficult Topic...Together':
https://cba.adobeconnect.com/p1873izndh43/ 

Materials

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Since 1989, the CBA Wellness Forum (formerly the Legal Profession Assistance Conference) has recognized the unique needs of our profession and worked to find solutions that allow our members to lead healthy, balanced lives.

The CBA Wellness Forum exists to help legal professionals manage personal, emotional, health and wellness challenges. CBA Wellness works with the provincial and territorial Lawyer Assistance Programs, providing expertise and guidance to their staff and volunteers. Our professional development programs and research resources on mental health and wellness give insights into the very real issues facing our profession.

Visit CBA Wellness

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In 2001, the Law Society of Manitoba introduced the Health and Wellness Program, a professional counselling service for lawyers who need help. The program is a free and confidential service for practising lawyers and articling students in Manitoba and their families, operated by Manitoba Blue Cross. It offers crisis-intervention and assistance and short-term counselling services.

In Winnipeg call 204-786-8880. Outside Winnipeg call toll-free 1-800-590-5553.

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This service is in addition to the referral service provided by CBA Wellness. Lawyers Helping Lawyers, a Committee of the Manitoba Bar Association, strongly believes in and supports the Lawyers at Risk service offered by The Law Society of Manitoba. If you are not enjoying your practice of law or life to the fullest, we urge you to contact one of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers listed below:

  • Maria Mitousis
    Ofc: 204-992-9900 Cell: 204-688-6405
  • Therese Koturbash
    Work: 204-622-7002 Res: 204-648-5720
  • Dirk Blevins
    Res: 204-261-7539
  • Walter Thiessen
    Ofc: 204-925-5375; Res: 204-661-5700
  • Norman Yusim
    Ofc: 204-957-8309; Res: 204-334-2227
  • Marcelin Murray
    Ofc: 204-957-8334; Res: 204-253-1554
  • Jon van der Krabben
    Ofc: 204-254-3511; Res: 204-256-1124
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Equity Officer – Support Services

If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment, the Law Society’s Equity Officer is available, free of charge, to provide confidential assistance to Manitoba lawyers, support staff, articling students and clients of lawyers.  Support service include:

Informal & Confidential Resolutions

Assisting with informal resolutions or mediating issues or concerns. Your concerns will be kept confidential unless you authorize the Equity Officer to disclose them.   The Equity Officer does not take any action without your permission. The Equity Officer does not provide legal advice and maintains a neutral position.

Education

Speaking to your legal workplace to raise awareness about discrimination and harassment, diversity and inclusion and civility and respect.  The Equity Officer can also meet with you one-on-one to discuss issues or concerns you may have.

Resources & Referrals

Advising on other options for recourse available, such as filing a formal complaint with the Law Society or the Human Rights Commission or starting a civil action. The Equity Officer can also assist you in identifying available resources, such as counselling services or information on equity related issues.

Parental Support

Providing confidential coaching and assistance for lawyers and their spouses or life partners in planning for maternity and/or parental leave and meeting the challenges of becoming new parents.

More information can be found on the Law Society’s website: The link included on the page  can be replaced with the following link:

https://lawsociety.mb.ca/for-lawyers/supports-for-lawyers/equity-officer/

 

 

 

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This Committee provides an informal, confidential forum in which King’s Bench Justices, Masters, Registry Staff* and lawyers can discuss, one on one, problems that do not warrant a more serious intervention.  Chaired by Justice Michael Thomson, the committee was created by the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench and the Manitoba Bar Association.

* As the Committee has no supervisory role over Registry staff, we only deal with concerns raised by the Registry staff vis-à-vis lawyers, but not vice versa.

Contacts:

  • Justice Michael Thomson
    Tel.: 204-945-2050
  • Colin MacArthur, K.C.
    Tel.: 204-957-4627
  • Rehka Malaviya
    Tel.: 204-945-6120
  • Senior Master Karen Clearwater
    Tel.: 204-945-8232
  • Justice Candace Grammond 
    Tel.: 204-945-2050
  • Justice Regan Thatcher 
    Tel.: 204-945-2050
  • Justice Janice leMaistre
    Tel.: 204-945-2050
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The Provincial Court Informal Concerns Committee provides an informal, confidential forum in which Provincial Court Judges and lawyers can discuss, one on one, problems that do not warrant a more serious intervention. This Committee was created by the Provincial Court of Manitoba and the Manitoba Bar Association and is chaired by Judge Timothy Killeen.

Judges and lawyers who wish to speak with a Committee member may call any of:

  • Alan Semchuk (Dauphin)
    Tel.: 204-638-3211
  • Joe Aiello
    Tel.: 204-949-7708
  • Richard Wolson, Q.C.
    Tel.: 204-985-8184
  • Senior Judge Timothy Preston
    Tel.: 204-945-3461
  • Judge Timothy Killeen
    Tel.: 204-945-3461