UNews - Lethbridge Bar Association

Five minutes well worth the time

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:28:10 +0000

Taking the time to apply for undergraduate scholarships pays off for Paul Klein.

As the end of another academic year draws near, Paul Klein has a lot on his mind. It is a time teeming with tests and term papers, but there is one deadline the third-year Anthropology major always meets – the May 1 Undergraduate Awards application deadline.

"I try not to forget the deadline because the application process is simplified to the point that it's basically a series of clicks that takes around five minutes to complete," says the Lethbridge native. "You have to invest such an insignificant portion of your time and the potential payoff is huge."

Undergraduate student Paul Klein has taken advantage of the many scholarship opportunities offered by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Taking the time to fill out the online Undergraduate Awards Application certainly has paid off for Klein as he has received $3,000 over the last two years form the U of L Awards program. He seeks to become a lawyer, and through answering a question about future aspirations, received a scholarship sponsored by the Lethbridge Bar Association in 2011.

While he appreciates the recognition, he points out that scholarships and awards also have a real impact on his bottom line.

"I find they provide a nice supplement to my student loans and it helps to limit my overall debt as I can factor them in to my yearly budget," he says.

Klein also finds time to get involved with the campus community and holds down a part-time job as a student marker with the Anthropology Department. Balancing time between his job and being a faculty representative for the Students' Union, while achieving academic success, exerts considerable demands on Klein's time - which can induce stress. Here too, he finds the monies he has earned from scholarships helpful.

"Scholarships have provided me with some extra disposable income that I can spend on my social life when I'm looking to unwind. So I don't have to worry as much about fiscal stress – I can just concentrate on my academic stress," he says with a chuckle.

In 2011, 1,087 continuing U of L students shared over $1.1 million in undergraduate awards. The 2012 Undergraduate Awards application is currently open on The Bridge and will close on May 1. The U of L guarantees a scholarship to students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher in eight semester courses (24.0 credit hours) over the preceding Fall and Spring semesters. Awards and bursaries are also available. In 2011, one third of all awards recipients had a GPA lower than 3.5.

Sproule brings experience to counsel role

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:59:22 +0000

Sharon Sproule (BA '97) has been appointed as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's in-house legal counsel.

Sproule is a long-time Lethbridge resident and U of L graduate who joins the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ from Torry Lewis Abells, where she practised as a litigator and solicitor, joining the firm in 2003.

From 1997 to 2003 she worked with Lethbridge-based law firm Stringam Denecky, where she also articled following her graduation from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary law school in 1996.

Balancing a busy law practice, community service and professional development within the legal community, Sproule has also continued her relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a sessional or guest lecturer in the faculties of Health Sciences, Management and other programs.

She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Lethbridge Bar Association and the Alberta Mediation Society. Sproule is also active in the community as a volunteer with a number of local organizations, including Lethbridge Family Services, Rotary Urban Spirits, the Young Professionals Association and the Lethbridge Association of Collaborative Professionals.

"Having Sharon join us as in-house legal counsel will provide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with expertise that currently does not exist within our institution," says Nancy Walker, the U of L's vice-president (finance and administration). "The environment in which the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ operates is becoming very complex and we find the need to ensure that we are managing our risks appropriately."

Walker says that Sproule will be responsible for providing legal advice and guidance to the Senior Administrative Team and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole, pertaining to a wide variety of issues and circumstances, including administrative, research, human rights,aemployment law matters, intellectual property matters, licensing matters and policies and procedures.

Sproule will also serve as the key contact for general operational business and commercial contracts.
She will report to the Vice-President (Finance & Administration) and can be reached at 403-332-4477.

This story first appeared in the November issue of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Chancellor Davidson earns city honour

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:17:48 +0000

Over the course of his life, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge chancellor Richard Davidson has served the city of Lethbridge in a number of capacities, many from the volunteer perspective. So it was only fitting that the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Herald recognized Davidson as the Lethbridge Citizen of the Year at a luncheon Monday afternoon.

"Clearly in his law practice, his work with the Chamber of Commerce, his work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and his work with virtually every other volunteer organization you could imagine, this is one cool dude," says Lethbridge mayor elect Bob Tarleck, who also presented Davidson with a key to the city. "This is the highest honour we can bestow upon anyone and Richard is extremely deserving."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor Richard Davidson and his wife Denise.

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Davidson earned both his bachelor and law degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1986 and is a partner at the law firm of Davidson & Williams, following in the footsteps of two previous generations of Davidson lawyers.

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

"This tradition has grown in importance in the community because it's our opportunity to recognize people who have been tremendous builders in Lethbridge and southern Alberta," says Tarleck of the Citizen of the Year Award.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

He was an honouree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Scholarship Dinner in March 2002, and has received numerous community service awards, including the Commemoration Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada by the Governor General in 1992, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.

Actively involved in the Lethbridge Bar Association and a current member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, the K-40 Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Country Club, Davidson's community service is extensive. He has served numerous organizations as either president, chairman or as a member of the board of directors. These organizations include: Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge; The Lethbridge Community Foundation; Lethbridge Society for Meals on Wheels; the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta; the City of Lethbridge Economic Development Advisory Committee; the Small Business Development Centre Committee; Lethbridge & District Community Futures Board of Directors; the YWCA Advisory Board; the Kidney Foundation of Canada; the Lethbridge Regional Hospital Foundation; the Lethbridge Country Club; the YMCA of Lethbridge; and the Chinook Health Region.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

"I'm blown away by all of this. I can honestly say I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent in the various volunteer activities I've pursued," says Davidson. "I'm deeply honoured. I know the people who came before me and I could not be more honoured to have my name put forward with the previous year's recipients. I am greatly honoured and very humbled."

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

Chancellor Davidson named Citizen of the Year

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:12:55 +0000

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

Management Scholarship Dinner to honour North

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:18:19 +0000

Lethbridge-based lawyer, R. Philip (Phil) M. North, Q.C., a principal in the firm North & Company LLP, is the Faculty of Management's 2010 Scholarship Dinner honoree. The event takes place Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Lethbridge Lodge. Tickets and tables of eight are available by calling 403-329-5181.

A Lethbridge resident for more than 35 years, Phil North has served the legal profession extensively at a local, provincial and national level, including roles as Chairman of the Alberta Law Foundation, Chair of the Legal Education Society of Alberta, and President of the Lethbridge Bar Association. In recognition of his many contributions, Phil received the Distinguished Service Award from the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch.

He has given generously to his community in leadership roles as President of the Lethbridge Rotary Club, Chair of the Lions Eye Bank (Alberta) Society, President of the Lethbridge Community Foundation, and Director of the Community Foundations of Canada. He has also been active in the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association, Lethbridge Easter Seal Telethon and the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, Lethbridge Chapter.

Aside from frequently attending events in celebration and support of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Phil has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors (1978-1984) and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2004.

Phil was born and raised in Deloraine, Manitoba and attended Brandon College (now Brandon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ). In 1971 he completed his law degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba and moved to Lethbridge in 1973. He assisted in establishing the Blairmore and Pincher Creek branch offices of North and Company and is now the managing partner of the firm.

He and his wife Freda have three children and five grandchildren. His outside interests include hockey and gardening.

UNews - Lethbridge Bar Association

Five minutes well worth the time

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