BOYNECLARKE

"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.

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® (2019-2020)

Debi I. Conrad, Q.C.

Debi I. Conrad, Q.C.

Caitlin Gorman

About Debi

Areas of Practice

Debi's Background