Raj Bhatla
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Ottawa,
Dr. Raj Bhatla joined The Royal in 1992. He currently holds the position of Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chief of Staff of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. He is a Vice-Chairperson of the Consent & Capacity Board of Ontario. In addition to expertise in concurrent disorders, Dr. Bhatla has an interest in psychiatric ethics and is a member of the Editorial Committee of the Journal of Ethics in Mental Health.
Dr. Bhatla received his BA with Honours from Harvard University in 1982. He obtained his MD from McGill University in 1987 and was awarded the Mona Bronfman Sheckman Award for the highest
standing in psychiatry. He completed his Residency Training in Psychiatry and Fellowship in Addictions at New York Medical College where he received the Mead Johnson Award in Psychiatry.
In 2011, Dr. Bhatla completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
John George Boynton Payne
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Toronto, ON
John George is a 3L at McGill Law. Prior to law school, he worked as a senior trade policy officer at Global Affairs Canada and was responsible for negotiating investment obligations in Canada's free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties. He holds a Bachelors of Public Affairs and Policy Management with a concentration in human rights from Carleton University. As a co-founder of HLM, George is particularly interested in exploring the opportunities for enhancing wellbeing in workplaces and other institutions.
Laura Ingrid Cabott
Cabott & Cabott
Whitehorse, YT
Negotiator and Lawyer on behalf of former residential school students-national Settlement Agreement for Indian Residential Schools in 2006.
Lawyer: for the past 26 years in Whitehorse, presently the managing partner of Cabott & Cabott, Barristers, specializing in representing former students in residential school claims since 2003. Previous work included corporate and commercial litigation.
Member of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and British Columbia bars (previously Nunavut). Extensive travel throughout all three territories and northern B.C. representing First Nation governments and people.
Cheryl Canning, QC
Nova Scotia Health Organizations Protective Association
Dartmouth, NS
Cheryl Canning, QC is a partner in Burchells’ litigation team and is a member of the firm’s management committee.
Cheryl represents and advises national and international insurers on a wide range of retainers, including defence of property and casualty claims, professional liability claims, construction disputes, institutional abuse claims and coverage disputes. She has appeared before all levels of court in Nova Scotia and has a wealth of experience in mediation and alternate dispute resolution. In addition to maintaining her own professional development, she presents educational sessions at legal conferences and for insurance professionals. Since 2016 she has been ranked by peers among the Best Lawyers in Canada in insurance law.
Cheryl’s professional involvement includes sitting as an at-large member of the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society Council and as Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s CBA Wellness subcommittee. She is past chair of the Lawyers’ Insurance Association of Nova Scotia board of directors.
Cheryl is actively involved in the Canadian Bar Association, The Advocate's Society and Canadian Defence Lawyers. She is the Past President of The ARC Group Canada, a network of independent law firms across Canada focusing on insurance law and risk management.
Cheryl is called to the bar in Nova Scotia (1998) and Prince Edward Island (2011). She received her Queen’s Counsel designation in 2018.
Cheryl lives in Dartmouth with her husband Andrew and their two sons, where they are active members of the Banook Canoe Club.
Kara Hardin
Kara Hardin Mental Health Consulting & Clinical Counselling
Toronto, ON
Kara Hardin is the Principal and Founder of Kara Hardin Mental Health Consulting and Clinical Counseling. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario, a Certified Co- Active Professional Coach, and trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Kara also hold a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, and prior to pursuing work as a mental health consultant and clinician, she worked as a corporate and securities lawyer at a top tier Canadian law firm. In her work, Kara draws from a range of clinical orientations, emphasizing relational, systems, and strengths-based approaches.
Simon Hatcher
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON
Dr. Simon Hatcher is currently Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Prior to his appointment, Dr Hatcher held a position as Associate Professor in Psychiatry for the Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of New Zealand. He is a prolific published researcher and author.
Glen M. Hickerson, Q.C.
Wilson Laycraft
Calgary, AB
It is said that Socrates was the wisest of men because he knew he knew nothing. Glen is a Calgary lawyer with a commercial litigation practice, a father of two children in their twenties, a grandfather and a husband, all of which provide ample daily reminders to Glen that he knows nothing. Glen uses the resulting wisdom to help by volunteering with the Law Society of Alberta's early intervention and mentoring programs, Alberta Lawyers' Assist, and the Canadian Bar Association's Skilled Lawyers webinar series as well as other agencies in the Calgary community. Glen enjoys biking, reading, playing with his grandson, and - in an example of his penchant for acquiring knowledge of questionable practical use - is one of landlocked Alberta's few certified ocean kayaking instructors.
Lawrence S. Krieger
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Professor Krieger was a litigator for 11 years, including as Chief Trial Counsel for a statewide regulatory agency. With Dr. Ken Sheldon, he publishes research on lawyer well-being.
Derek Clare LaCroix, Q.C.
Lawyers Assistance Program
Vancouver, BC
Derek LaCroix, QC, joined LAPBC as our Executive Director in 1997. With 40+ years work experience, he brings a sincere and valued perspective to his commitment to both the organization and to the BC legal profession. Derek practiced law for 18 years, primarily as a trial lawyer and criminal defence lawyer, and went on to expand his skills in business and counseling. This diverse range of interests has helped Derek become a respected leader in the legal, health care and recovery communities. He has served on committees with the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was a Commissioner of the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) and the Chair of the annual CoLAP conference for several years. Including the last two years. He is also on several non-profit boards of societies dealing with addictions, education and spirituality. He is often called upon to present seminars and workshops throughout the province, and is tireless in his efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of legal professionals and those who care about them. He received the designation of Queen's Counsel in 2004.
Chres Lee, J.D., M.S.W.
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Toronto, ON
Chres Lee is an associate practicing in the Corporate Group of Stikeman Elliott LLP. Her practice focuses on private and public mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private equity, and securities. In addition, Chres regularly advises public and private investment funds, asset managers and publicly offered mutual funds. She also advises clients on corporate governance and is actively involved in the firm's Board Diversity Initiative, which promotes diversity and the advancement of women in law and business.
Chres has completed a joint Law and Master of Social Work (JD/MSW) program at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Hon. BA) degree at the University of Toronto majoring in Criminology. Prior to her legal career, Chres was a member of the executive management team of a non-profit organization that supports victims of domestic violence and child abuse.
David S. MacDougall
McInnes Cooper
Halifax, NS
