Ms. Susan Elliott

Susan Elliott provides a comprehensive account of her journey from a small-town Kingston lawyer to becoming the first female Treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1995. Born in 1953 to academic parents, she studied commerce at Queen’s University before attending University of Ottawa Law School, where she was taught by notable figures like Elmer Driedger. After articling with her step-father Donald Good in 1981, she established a successful real estate practice while becoming increasingly involved in professional activities.

Elliott’s trajectory as a Bencher beginning in 1991 coincided with a period of significant upheaval at the Law Society. She served on numerous committees and witnessed the institution’s struggles with the Errors & Omissions insurance crisis, which eventually led to the creation of LPIC. Her election as Treasurer came during a time of crisis, with 22 new Benchers elected in response to member dissatisfaction. As Treasurer, she faced immediate challenges including the E&O crisis aftermath and the Mike Harris government’s decision to take over Legal Aid.

Elliott’s tenure was marked by ambitious governance reforms, including restructuring the committee system from over 20 committees to 4-5 major ones, implementing policy governance principles, and creating a Policy Secretariat. She championed greater transparency, democratic decision-making in Convocation, and improved communication with the profession. Her bicentennial celebrations in 1997 at Niagara-on-the-Lake represented a high point, featuring the adoption of equity and diversity policies and community recognition through special medals. Despite the constant crisis management required, Elliott views her treasurership as both an honor and an essential learning experience that shaped the Law Society’s modern governance structure.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.