Jeff Cowan
Toronto Bencher Candidate – Toronto Region

Priorities
Continued governance reform to streamline the processes, implement best practices, and reduce the regulatory burden, especially for sole practitioners or small firms, consistent with the Law Society’s public interest mandate to ensure competency and integrity. Term limits to encourage renewal and diversity.
Continued improvements in access to and simplification of justice, as systemic costs of unrepresented parties may exceed those that proper funding of Legal Aid would entail. It should more user-friendly, efficient and effective for both clients and lawyers alike.
Implementation of the recommendations of the Challenges Report. The SoP was a start, but work remains to be done in terms of the cultural changes needed in the legal profession to achieve the stated objectives of that Report.
Background
Partner of WeirFoulds LLP. Former Managing Partner. Public law (including professional self-regulation) and real estate litigation, arbitration and mediation. Co-editor, with Derry Millar, of Ontario Annual Practice. Member of Secretariat of the Civil Rules Committee, Divisional Court Users Committee, Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice Administrative Law Committee, Advocates’ Society, OBA, Toronto Lawyers Association, ADRIO. Head of Public Law Section of Bar Admission Course and thereafter member of the BAC Barristers Bar Advisory Group. Past director Advocates’ Society, past Chair and current executive member of OBA Administrative Law Section. Recipient of the SOAR Medal for outstanding service to the administrative justice system of Ontario and OBA dedicated service award.
Recognized by Lexpert, Best Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell
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Candidates I support
Those who will best represent the diversity of the profession and the public it serves, and who recognize the need for change.
Something the LSO does that it should stop doing
Re-inventing the wheels on which it rides, rather than looking forward to where it is headed. Issues such as EDI, articling/LPP, ABS have been debated and decided. Existing and emerging priorities must be the focus.
Something the LSO doesn't do that it should start doing
More anticipation, recognition, acceptance of and adaptation to the rapidity of change, especially technology, in the legal profession and justice systems. Leadership in change management to move forward and not let the status quo prevail, and assisting lawyers to adapt their practices and competencies so as to better serve the public. .
website
www.weirfoulds.com/jeffcowanforbencher
social media
Linked in, #Cowan4Bencher
All Candidates were invited to comment on any or all of the following topics
Access to Justice
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LSO Governance Reform
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Cost of Legal Education
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Statement of Principles
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Artificial Intelligence in Legal Service Delivery
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Pathways to Licensing
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Unbundled Legal Service Delivery
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Entity-Based Regulation
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Duty of Technological Competence
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Reconciliation and Indigenous Communities
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Alternative Business Structures
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Advertising and Fee Arrangements
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Specific Enhancements to Licensing System
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Should LSO be in the CPD Business?
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How Can LSO Support Licensees?
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Improving Mental Health
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LSO Funding Priorities
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Diversity and Inclusivity Priorities
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Scope of practice for paralegals and non-licensees
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FOLA asks: Thoughts on Funding Staffed Local Law Libraries
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Other topics
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Candidate contributions on additional topics
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