Saint John, New Brunswick

What is completely lacking on this board is self-interest! It is a very dynamic and unique group where robust discussions are welcome and have been part of why the organization steadily improves. No wonder I find the work so refreshing!

I am a partner in the Saint John office of Cox & Palmer with a diverse litigation practice that emphasizes advising insurers on insurance coverage. This strong background in insurance products is a perspective that I bring to the board. CLIA provides quality products and extensive experience in claims management. We are the best options for smaller law societies, and it is great to feel so confident in our mission and mandate.

I see first-hand how quickly the law practice is changing and enjoy the challenge of thinking about what the future of law practices will look like and how CLIA is well-suited to respond to those needs.

Bringing people together for a meal or expanding my life experiences with travel is important to me.

Goulds, Newfoundland

The CLIA board is the best board I have been on! I have learned so much, and as the only CPA on the board, I can bring a unique perspective and my views are welcomed. It is not only about what we do as a board that is important but also the people.

I retired as Comptroller General of Finance with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with 35 years of public service. I served as a board member for the Public Service Pension Plan Corporation. This experience gives me a unique vantage point as a board member.

We have many key opportunities, including expanding the reach of our affordable, comprehensive insurance for lawyers and law societies. Cyber insurance will be a significant opportunity as the world of insurance and the law profession is changing significantly.

I like to keep my mind and body on the move. You can find me hiking the east coast trail and swimming as much as I can. Enjoying the great outdoors with friends is a great way for me to spend a day!

C.E.O. HOPA, Health Organizations Protective Association

Dartmouth, N.S.

I have always found board governance interesting and believe it is essential to successful organizations. One thing I like about CLIA is that they are committed to good governance, which is part of what makes them an effective organization.

The CLIA board is engaged and focused, which I also enjoy. The board is made up of professionals who understand the industry and are committed to the objectives of the organization and its future opportunities.

In addition to 22 years as a practicing lawyer, prior to joining the CLIA board I had been the Chair of the board of one of CLIA’s subscribers and that experience has helped to inform my perspective as a Board member. Since my time as a subscriber I have seen the organization successfully undergo meaningful transformation. Much of that resulted from authentic adaptive listening and a deep understanding of what lawyers wanted and needed from the organization. This ability puts them at a significant advantage as they are very in tune with the current challenges that lawyers face and are flexible enough to respond.

I am proud of the fact that the organization is a front-runner in providing programs and offerings that address evolving challenges faced by lawyers. CLIA’s work and the support they provide are an important resource for an industry that can be uncomfortable with change.

While CLIA is future facing, the organization can also draw on its history and earned credibility with lawyers as a significant and unique strength.

Outside of work, you can usually find me on the shores of a lake somewhere. We are a family that is avidly involved in canoe/kayak paddling. Our local canoe club has been a significant part of our lives, and each of us has experience working in various voluntary roles there. We have enjoyed supporting our kids from the local level all the way to the international level of competition. It is an activity that brings us all together and continues to connect us to each other and to the community.

Regina, Saskatchewan

I have played several different roles with CLIA over almost 30 years. In 1994 I became defence counsel for Saskatchewan Lawyers Insurance Association (SLIA). I managed claims and defended lawyers at all levels of court. I also started going to CLIA Board meetings as an advisor and served on various committees.

I worked for SLIA until 2007 when I was appointed CEO of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. It was a time of transformation as Law Societies emphasized modern governance and public protection. These objectives spilled over to CLIA.

In 2007 CLIA was 20 years old. CLIA had matured as an organization but much of its governance was out of date. My role with CLIA changed from defence of claims to defining the roles and obligations of the partners. Because on my insurance background I helped rewriting the Rules of the Reciprocal to ensure that risk and costs were shared equitably by subscribers. I helped rewrite the Subscriber Agreement to introduce modern governance policy.

In 2016 I was appointed to the Board and again my role change. As a Board member the obligation was to act in the best interests of CLIA. It has been exciting to participate in the transition to CLIA 2.0. I have served as Chair of the Board and Chair of the Underwriting and Policy Committee.

I have also tried to remain current on developments in professional regulation. In recent years I have served on other boards including, The Canadian Center for Professional Legal Education (CPLED), Canadian Legal Information Institute (Canlii), Lexum, The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Lawyers Insurance Association (SLIA), Saskatchewan Administrative Tribunals Association (SATA) and Saskatchewan Profession Teachers Regulatory Board.

CLIA is an enduring legacy for the legal profession. It is an insurer managed by lawyers for lawyers. It is connected to the changing needs of Lawyers and Law Societies. It has consistently delivered cost effective insurance and has often returned surplus to Lawyers. It has balanced the defence of lawyers with the public interest.

It has been my privilege to be one small part of CLIA over the years.

Conception Bay South, Newfoundland

Don Sword Chairs CLIA’s Audit and Conduct Review Committee. Now retired, Don earned commerce and law degrees from Dalhousie and had a career that saw him rise to VP of legal and regulatory services for a national high-growth insurance organization. His legal and insurance background fits right in with CLIA’s mandate. CLIA operates all over Canada and Don can certainly relate to that diversity as he grew up across the country before moving to his sixth province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Don is a big fan of hockey and football and recognizes a good team when he sees one. He especially enjoys the engagement from a board with many leaders and no passengers! The mutual respect shared by board members is reflected in their appreciation for the unique and special relationship CLIA has with the law societies across Canada. Don says, “They own us and are us. And we don't take that kind of relationship for granted.”

Insurance and law are old professions that operate in a world that is experiencing rapid change. Don thinks CLIA’s board, management and staff are particularly well-suited to embrace change and to continue to meet the insurance needs of the legal profession now and in the future.

From a personal perspective, Don loves classic rock, a good book or movie, travel, and spending time with his family. But volunteering and giving back to the community where he lives has been a big part of Don’s life for a long time. A Rotarian for over 30 years, Don has helped build several sustainable projects in his hometown. Closest to his heart and his love for the outdoors is the Manuels River Interpretation Centre, an iconic facility in his hometown. Don is proud of his role in helping to build the Centre and for almost ten years has served as its Chair. If you are ever looking for Don, odds are you can find him at the Centre or out walking on the fully accessible Manuels River trails with his wife Pat.

Don and Pat are very fortunate to have their daughters and granddaughters living nearby. Don says, “spending time with my grandchildren is the most fun I have ever had!”

Throughout my career, I have seen time and time again that when we can put ourselves in someone else shoes, we can solve more problems and create significant opportunities.

My career has included being a litigation lawyer in the area of insurance, civil and professional liability as well as being the Executive Director of the Professional Insurance Liability Fund of the Quebec Bar (Fonds d’assurance responsabilité professionnelle du Barreau du Québec). These opportunities allowed me to understand that at the intersection of what lawyers need from their insurer and what an insurer can provide, there is a sweet spot that is good for everyone, including safeguarding the general public.

In my work, I have had a passion for the intricacies of good governance. This passion has led me to pursue additional training in corporate governance, Information Technology governance, and advanced management. Good governance also matters to CLIA, and I am very well aligned with the organization in this area.

As a board member, I always ask, while keeping in mind the public interest, “What do lawyers need most?” Answering that question with empathy, understanding, and expertise has brought CLIA success in the past. I believe it is also why they will stay relevant and experience growth in the future. I will be happy to be part of that.

I have lived my whole life in Montreal, which gives me a unique perspective when working across Canada. But when you strip it all down, regardless of what region of the country we are from, our issues are more similar than different. What motivates me is being a part of this dedicated team working to bring the right kind of professional liability coverage to all lawyers and law societies.

As you might expect, having lived in Montreal, I am passionate about food! My favourite place, other than a delicious meal at home, is a neighbourhood gem with a great wine list and French cuisine. You can also find me trying to stretch out the golf season or planning a winter escape.

Becoming a member of this board was an exciting opportunity for me—it offers everything I’m passionate about. The chance to work with a collaborative collective that provides meaningful solutions to lawyers and law societies truly spoke to me. With my busy schedule, I carefully choose the roles where I hope to  make a real impact, and CLIA provides an excellent opportunity to do  exactly that.

I think I bring a unique perspective to the table. As a former Registered Nurse and a practicing lawyer, now serving as the CEO and Attorney-in-Fact for the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), I’m well-versed in healthcare liability, law, governance, and risk management. I’ve always admired CLIA’s leadership and history. They’ve shifted from “how do we fix this?” to “how do we get even better?”—and that’s exactly the mindset that resonates with me. “Above and beyond” is how I like to aim!

I’m especially excited about where we’re headed as an organization, meeting the evolving needs of today’s lawyers and law societies. From staying on top of risk management to navigating the complexities of cyber security and AI, there’s so much to look forward to, and I can’t wait to contribute.

My board experience is quite broad. I currently serve on the Boards of Healthcare Collaborative Benefits, Pallium Canada, and Hospital Insurance Forum, and I chair the boards for Salus Global and the HIROC Foundation. I’m excited to bring my governance experience and knowledge to CLIA and to help shape its future.

I’ve traveled intentionally across Canada, listening and learning from every corner, and that perspective is priceless to me. Like the geography itself, this expansive country has opened my mind wide.

I have a 70lb flat-coated  retriever lapdog who constantly reminds me of how intuitive dogs can be in teaching us about kindness.  My love for family is infinite, travel always calls my name, and I’m a voracious reader. Oh, and I’ve earned the rare title of “The CEO who knits” – a badge I wear proudly!