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Debi I. Conrad, QC

Debi I. Conrad, QC

(902) 460-3416(902) 463-7500dconrad@boyneclarke.ca
Legal Assistant
Caitlin Gorman
cgorman@boyneclarke.ca
"Often, clients are looking for a simple resolution to their family issues and court is not always the answer, for many reasons. My mediation skills are beneficial to clients when it’s appropriate for parents to speak directly to each other to sort out issues regarding parenting, children, finances and a variety of other issues."

About Debi

Debi runs her practice with an iron fist and a soft heart and is not afraid to fiercely advocate for her clients. Debi leaves no stone unturned in her search for information to substantiate her client’s position, or to repudiate claims from the other party. She is persistent in gathering whatever information is needed for her clients while always remaining respectful of the client’s wishes.

Debi offers creative solutions to her clients’ problems and her depth of experience provides familiarity with all aspects of a family law practice. Debi seeks out the most effective and efficient methods in order to reach her client’s goals.

Areas of Practice

Debi's Background

Education
  • 1981 - 1983: Bachelor of Laws, Dalhousie Law School, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1980 - 1981: University of New Brunswick Law School
  • 1973-1975 & 1977-1979: Bachelor of Arts - Sociology (Dean's Honours List), University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Continuing Education
  • July 2014: The National Family Law Conference, Whistler, British Columbia
  • July 2012: The National Family Law Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • September 2009: Training in Arbitration
Employment
  • 1992 - Present: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 1987 - 1992: Associate Lawyer, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 1984 - 1986: Staff Lawyer, Nova Scotia Legal Aid, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1983 - 1984: Articled Clerk, Davis, Clark & Associates, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 1983: Criminal Clinic Clerk, Nova Scotia Legal Aid, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Professional Memberships
  • Member - Family Mediation Canada
  • Member - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
  • Member - Canadian Bar Association - Mediation Sub-Committee
  • Member - Canadian Bar Association - Family Law Subsection
  • Member - Family Mediation, Nova Scotia
  • Member - BOYNECLARKE LLP Articling Committee
  • Former Chairperson - Canadian Bar Association, Family Law Subsection, 1993 - 1995
  • Former Vice-Chairperson - Canadian Bar Association, Family Law Subsection, 1991 - 1993
  • Former Secretary - Canadian Bar Association, Family Law Subsection, 1990 - 1992
  • Former Member - Administration of Justice Committee
  • Former Member - Family Bench Bar Liaison Sub-Committee of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
  • Former Member - Administration of Justice Sub-Committee, Family Court Liaison
Community Activities
  • Member - St. Andrews United Church
  • Speaker - Public Legal Education Speaker's Bureau
  • Former Member - Implementation Committee of the Children and Family Services Act
  • Former Member - Training Sub-Committee of the Implementation Committee of the Children and Family Services Act
  • Former Member - Mediation Training and Development Committee, set up by Minister of Community Services, Nova Scotia
  • Former Member - Policy Committee for Child Protection mediation set up by the Minister of Community Services, Nova Scotia
  • Former Member - Family Violence Action Committee set up by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General
  • Former Member - Child Abuse Prevention Conference Planning Committee set up by the Nova Scotia Family & Child Welfare Association
  • Former Member - Secure Treatment Committee set up by the Department of Community Services
  • Former Member - Provincial Committee of the Child and Youth Community Placement Review Project
  • Former Member - Code of Conduct Committee, Cornwallis Junior High School
  • Former Member - Mediation Project Committee, set up by the Minister of Community Services, Nova Scotia
  • Former Member - Access Review Committee, set up by the Minister of Community Services, Nova Scotia
  • Former Board Member - Dartmouth Daycare
  • Former Member - Public Education Committee (Nova Scotia Council for the Family)
Papers & Publications
  • Assessments in Child Protection Proceedings
  • The new Children and Family Services Act - Bar Admission Course
  • The Children and Family Services Act Trainer's Manual
  • Preparation for Court - A Guide for Child Protection Workers
  • Basic Legal Services in Child Protection Cases
  • How Workers can Reduce Legal Costs to the Agency
  • The Radiologist's Role in Diagnosing and Reporting Non-Accidental Pediatric Trauma
  • Why Sue? Liability in the Field of Child Protection
  • Review of the case law regarding Children and Family Services Act since 1991
  • Preparing You as the Social Worker for Court
  • Rules of Evidence and Testifying in Court
  • Annotations to the Children and Family Services Act, September 1991 - January 1998
  • Access Revisited - Paper presented to the Access Review Committee set up by the Minister of Community Services
  • Report on Termination of Permanent Care and Custody - When is it Appropriate?
  • Own Your Present by Owning Your Future: Strategies for Succeeding in a Male Dominated Work Place
  • Legal Costs: Does the Loser Pay Any, Some, or All of the WInners Costs?
Drafting Legislation
  • An ACT to provide for Adoption Information
Presentations
  • Co-Presenter - CBA Skilled Lawyer Series III, Litigation Stream on the topic of Mediation Advocacy, January 2013
  • Presenter - FCI-CWI Women in Law Conference, November 2009
  • Presenter - Annual Development Conference, January 2009
Awards & Honours
  • Appointed Queen's Counsel (2019)
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2019-2021)