Are the Regulations, Governance and Access to Justice Fair? (Part 2 Q&A)

The mission of the Law Society of Alberta is to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession. This discussion will focus on why and how the regulator of the legal profession is involved in promoting access to high quality legal services in Alberta. Topics to be discussed will include the delivery of legal services by non-lawyers, the delivery of legal services pro bono (for free), the use of limited scope retainers, promotion of diversity in the legal profession, recognition of foreign trained lawyers, and the retention and re-engagement of lawyers in the private practice of law. Speaker: Rodney Jerke Q.C. Rodney Jerke was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1955. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction and then from the University of Alberta with an LLB, with Distinction. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1980 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1998. Professionally, Rodney Jerke’s practice is concentrated on civil litigation at trial and appellate levels. He has conducted numerous trials and appeals and handled a variety of litigation files, including land disputes, serious motor vehicle accidents, commercial disputes, constitutional and administrative law cases, fraudulent preference and fraud actions, foreclosure, bank litigation, insurance litigation, environmental claims and professional negligence claims.