A lawyer in the Cowichan Valley will represent the region after she was elected to lead the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC).
Patricia Blair is a family law practitioner and founding member of River Valley Law in the region and has served as County Representative for the Cowichan Valley on Provincial Court for five years and on the Board of Directors for four.
Blair says she’s humbled to be elected for the term running from 2025-2026 and will focus on three main objectives while she serves. This includes making sure smaller communities have access to justice, championing solo practitioners and keeping lines of communication open.
“I am going to be travelling the province to find out what is working, and what isn’t,” she says. “Also, solo practitioners and small firms outside major centres in BC are on the frontlines of the access to justice crisis.
“My priority is to ensure that British Columbians, regardless of their income or where they live, can get the representation they need.”
CBABC CEO Kerry Simmons says having a representative from a smaller community and extensive knowledge will bring a valued voice to the table.”
“Her (Blair) deep roots on Vancouver Island and her experience make her an informed voice for our regional communities,” Simmons says. “The board and I look forward to the unique and valuable insights she will bring to her leadership.”
According to a media release, the CBABC has over 8,200 members, while the CBA represents 40,000 lawyers, judges, and law students across Canada.
