OBA President Mariam Moktar Priorities: Certainty, AI Academy

• Mariam Moktar assumed the presidency of the Ontario Bar Association on September 1, with a mandate focused on certainty, clarity, and comfort for legal professionals.
• Her priorities include expanding continuing professional development, legal technology literacy, and launching a new OBA AI Academy.
• The OBA will also grow its peer network and offer more mentorship opportunities to support members through professional and personal transitions.
• Moktar's vision is shaped by her personal history, including fleeing civil war in Somalia, and her belief in lawyers' responsibility to uphold the rule of law.
• These initiatives aim to help Ontario lawyers navigate uncertainty stemming from AI, changes to civil procedure rules, and broader economic and political turmoil.

Moktar underscores that the concept of "certainty" extends beyond legal principles, encompassing the assurance of having robust support during times of change.

Mariam Moktar assumed the presidency of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) on September 1, bringing a clear vision for the organization's direction. The Toronto-based lawyer has articulated a mandate centered on providing certainty, clarity, and comfort to legal professionals across the province. This leadership comes at a time when Ontario's legal community grapples with significant shifts and challenges.

Moktar's primary objective is to position the OBA as a reliable resource for its more than 17,000 members, ensuring they feel supported through evolving circumstances. She emphasizes that the organization, which has historically served as a crucial anchor for her personally, will continue to be a steadfast point of contact for lawyers navigating new developments. Her approach to these upcoming challenges is characterized by a resolve to face them "with optimism and hope."

Under Mariam Moktar's leadership, the Ontario Bar Association is set to expand its programming significantly to address the contemporary pressures faced by legal professionals. A key focus will be the enhancement of continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives and legal technology literacy programs. This includes the launch of a new iteration of the OBA's AI Academy, designed to equip lawyers with essential knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence.

Beyond technological advancements, the OBA plans to strengthen its community support structures. This involves growing its peer network and creating more mentorship opportunities for members. Additionally, new resources will be introduced to assist lawyers through both professional and personal transitions. Moktar underscores that the concept of "certainty" extends beyond legal principles, encompassing the assurance of having robust support during times of change.

Mariam Moktar's personal history profoundly influences her commitment to the rule of law and her advocacy-driven approach. Born in Somalia, she experienced the onset of civil war firsthand, leading to her family's displacement after her father, a police officer, was killed. Her mother made the difficult decision to send some of her nine children, including Moktar, to Canada and the United States, with Moktar being raised by her aunt in Toronto.

These early experiences, particularly witnessing the breakdown of legal order, ignited Moktar's interest in political science, the dynamics of failed states, and the legal profession. Her career has since been marked by a strong dedication to advocacy. She believes that lawyers bear a fundamental responsibility to speak out when the rule of law is challenged. This commitment to public service was evident even during her high school years, where she served as student body president and championed community issues.

Professionally, Moktar has built an impressive career, working at prominent boutique law firms such as Lenczner Slaght LLP before joining Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, a Toronto litigation boutique. Her diverse practice encompasses commercial and public interest litigation, employment law, human rights law, and administrative law. In 2015, she co-founded the Canadian Association of Somali Lawyers, an organization dedicated to promoting equity and opportunities for Somali-Canadian legal professionals and improving access to legal services for the Somali-Canadian community. Her extensive involvement with the OBA also includes serving as treasurer before her election as second vice-president in 2024. She also plans to engage with high school students across Ontario, including at her former school, to instill an early appreciation for the rule of law, preventing it from becoming an abstract concept.

The Ontario Bar Association president Mariam Moktar's priorities are keenly focused on mitigating the significant legal uncertainty Canada's lawyers currently face. This uncertainty stems from several critical areas, including the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, changes to Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure, and broader economic and political instability. These factors collectively present complex challenges that demand proactive engagement from the legal community.

Moktar’s mandate of certainty, clarity, and comfort directly addresses these specific sources of apprehension. By expanding resources and support, the OBA aims to provide a stable foundation for legal professionals as they adapt to new technologies and regulatory shifts. The OBA AI Academy, for instance, is a direct response to the impact of AI on legal practice, while other initiatives will help members navigate the implications of Ontario civil rules changes support. This strategic approach ensures that the OBA remains a vital resource for its members during a period of considerable flux.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ontario should monitor the Ontario Bar Association's upcoming initiatives, particularly new CPD programs and resources related to AI and civil procedure changes, as the new president aims to provide support and clarity amidst these developments.

Source: Original reporting via Law Times