THE Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, on Wednesday announced Scott Morishita as its president for the 2023-24 term.

A respected lawyer with experience in personal injury, insurance and municipal law, Morishita brings a strong commitment to advancing the legal profession and promoting wellness within it, the CBABC said in a statement.

“Top of mind this year is acting on the findings from the National Study on Wellness in the Legal Profession, which tells us what we already know – many Canadian lawyers struggle with their mental health”, said Morishita. “In my capacity as CBABC President, I will draw from my own experience, while engaging with the legal profession to reduce stigma and bring about a general shift in attitude.”

With consultation on the governance of the profession ongoing, lawyer independence is key priority for Morishita. He said: “As the collective voice of almost 7,800 lawyers, judges and students in BC, CBABC is at the forefront of defending the self-regulation of lawyers. This is the only way to maintain independence from government and ensure the rights of our clients are protected. I’ll be connecting with lawyers across the province to make sure all member voices are heard.”

CBABC CEO and Executive Director, Kerry L. Simmons welcomed Morishita to his role as president. He said: “Scott’s extensive volunteerism in the legal community and his strong advocacy experience will serve CBABC well as we work to preserve lawyer and judicial independence. We look forward to his leadership on our Board and for our members.”

Called to the bar in 2007, Morishita is Associate Counsel at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP, a firm that focuses its practice on personal injury and class action law. He is an avid CBABC volunteer, serving as Vancouver County Rep from 2018-2021, on the Board of Directors since 2020, and on several committees.