When I decided to run for bencher in 2014, I believed that the Law Society needed to head in a new direction. While we have made some real changes in the last 4 years, the need for further improvement remains true today.
My civility fight with the Law Society is finally over. My principled opposition to the civility movement was vindicated in the Supreme Court of Canada. I hope that by waging that battle, I advanced the interests of the profession and the public.
Accordingly, I would be grateful for your support and honoured to continue to zealously represent your interests as a Bencher. Je serais sincèrement reconnaissant de votre appui et honoré de défendre vos intérêts comme membre du Conseil.
I discovered that to be a good bencher i needed to work hard, to speak carefully and to be patient. I did that. This is my record - and I am proud to be running On it:
Articling
I opposed the continuation of articling because that system is broken, exploitative and discriminatory. Separate but “equal” licensing pathways are just plain wrong.
Statement of Principles
I supported diversity and equality initiatives, especially for those who have their own principles and live by them, by opposing the Statement of Principles. I continue to believe that we gain nothing by offending men and women of conscience and faith.
Changes & Support
I did not become an Adjudicator because there was a more important role that I could play: working to ensure that the Law Society only prosecutes the right discipline cases.
I worked hard to get the Compensation Fund limits, a Committee which I now chair, increased to $500,000.
I have tried to persuade my colleagues that we need to show greater fiscal restraint and discipline when it comes to spending your fees.
I supported the name change and all of the proposed corporate governance reforms. The Bench must continue to move the Law Society into the 21st century as a modern and focused regulator.
Publications
Taking the long way home - The Advocates’ Journal - Joseph Groia - 03/19 view here - Taking the long way home - Produced by Supertramp and Peter Henderson listen here
Discussion related to professional conduct during the infamous Bre-X case - FOLA - Joseph Groia view here
The Top 25 Most Influential - Human Rights Advocacy & Criminal - Canadian Lawyer Magazine - Tim Wilbur & Aidan Macnab - 08/07/18 view here
Supreme Court vindicates “rude” Toronto lawyer - Toronto Star - Jacques Gallant - 06/01/18 view here
Joseph Groia v. LSUC: The Civility War - Canadian Lawyer - Michael Ganley - 09/01/17 view here
The Game Changers - Law - Joseph Groia, Pushing the court into the 21st century - Financial Post Magazine - Drew Hasselback - 04/17 view here
Is civility a sham? - TED - Teresa Bejan - 11/14/18 view here