CBA: Loreley Chekay, New President, to Focus on Legal Community Unity

• Loreley Chekay, K.C., commenced her term as President of the Canadian Bar Association on September 1, 2026, with a primary focus on uniting Canada's legal community.
• Her presidency will prioritize securing adequate resources for courts and defending the independence of the bench and bar.
• Chekay brings a diverse background to the role, including experience as a Senior Crown Prosecutor and General Counsel, alongside nearly 25 years of active CBA membership.
• The CBA's leadership team includes Vice President Robyn Trask and a Board of Directors featuring both returning and new members representing various regions and member groups.
• The Canadian Bar Association champions the legal profession and the rule of law for its approximately 40,000 members, including lawyers, judges, notaries, academics, and students.

Her leadership seeks to leverage the collective strength of the profession to tackle significant challenges facing the justice system.

Loreley Chekay, K.C., commenced her term as President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) on September 1, 2026, embarking on a year-long tenure with a primary focus on fostering unity within Canada's diverse legal community. Her agenda prioritizes bringing together legal professionals from various backgrounds, roles, and perspectives to collaborate on fundamental values. The new president aims to identify opportunities for cooperation, even amidst differing viewpoints, to advance shared objectives crucial to the Canadian legal system.

A central tenet of Loreley Chekay's CBA presidency agenda is the belief that despite the varied experiences of Canadian legal professionals, common ground exists for pursuing collective goals. This commitment to Canadian legal community unity is expected to guide the association's initiatives throughout her tenure. Her leadership seeks to leverage the collective strength of the profession to tackle significant challenges facing the justice system.

Loreley Chekay's journey to becoming the Canadian Bar Association new president exemplifies a non-traditional route into law. Originally from Australia, she pursued biomechanics studies and was actively involved in sports, playing on the University of Canberra women's soccer team and coaching the men's team. Her legal education included an exchange year at the University of Saskatchewan, a pivotal experience that led her to remain in Canada.

Following her academic pursuits, Ms. Chekay dedicated nearly two decades to public service as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Saskatchewan. Subsequently, she transitioned to a corporate role, serving for several years as General Counsel and Executive Vice President with Saskatchewan Government Insurance. Beyond her professional roles, Loreley Chekay K.C. has been a prolific volunteer across numerous sports and community organizations, an effort recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023. Her extensive background underscores her deep commitment to both the legal profession and broader societal contributions.

Her long-standing engagement with the CBA spans nearly 25 years, during which she has held various leadership positions. She chaired both the Young Lawyers Section and the Criminal South Section of the Saskatchewan Branch and served as the Branch president from 2019 to 2020. At the national level, she has been an active participant in the Young Lawyers and Criminal Justice sections and contributed to the National Sections Executive Committee, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the association's structure and diverse membership.

Under Loreley Chekay's leadership, the CBA Loreley Chekay priorities will center on critical issues such as advocating for adequate resources for the courts and safeguarding the independence of both the bench and the bar. These objectives reflect a shared belief in the necessity of a well-resourced, independent justice system founded on the rule of law, a principle she plans to emphasize in collaboration with CBA sections, branches, the wider legal community, and societal partners.

The association's leadership team supporting President Chekay includes Robyn Trask of British Columbia, who will serve as CBA Vice President for the upcoming year while also continuing her role representing National Sections on the Board of Directors. The CBA Board of Directors new members and returning members represent a broad geographical and experiential spectrum, ensuring diverse perspectives are brought to the association's governance.

Returning board members include Nerissa Young from Alberta, Ian Scarth from Manitoba, Kelly McDermott from Ontario, Suzie Lanthier from Quebec, M. Kathleen McManus, K.C., from Nova Scotia, Tamzin Gillis from PEI, Greg French from Newfoundland and Labrador, and Stephen Mansell from Nunavut. Additionally, Heidi Scheidler of Nova Scotia represents CBA In-House Lawyers, and Ryan Dawodharry of British Columbia advocates for equity-deserving members. The newly welcomed board members are Patricia Blair from British Columbia, Reché McKeague, K.C., from Saskatchewan, Laura K. Cutler from New Brunswick, Stefanie Nicole Laurella from the Northwest Territories, Stacey Soldier from Manitoba as the Indigenous representative, and Emma M. MacIntosh from Nova Scotia representing the Young Lawyers Section. This comprehensive representation underscores the CBA's commitment to inclusivity across the Canadian legal landscape.

The Canadian Bar Association, as a prominent voice for the legal profession, plays a vital role in championing Canada's legal community and upholding the rule of law across the nation. Its extensive membership base comprises approximately 40,000 individuals, including lawyers, judges, notaries, academics, and students. This broad representation allows the CBA to address a wide array of issues pertinent to the justice system and the legal profession.

The association's overarching mission provides the framework within which Loreley Chekay's presidency will operate, ensuring that her focus on unity and critical systemic support aligns with the CBA's long-standing commitment to its members and the integrity of the Canadian legal framework. The collective strength of this membership will be crucial in advancing the priorities set forth by the new president.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note the new leadership and strategic direction of the Canadian Bar Association under President Loreley Chekay, particularly her emphasis on uniting the legal community and advocating for court resources and judicial independence, as these priorities will guide the CBA's policy and advocacy efforts impacting the Canadian legal profession.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Bar Association announcement