How to put the volunteer into your career. CBA President Stephen Rotstein welcomes Caitlin Urquhart, dedicated Newfoundland & Labrador community builder and ecology advocate. Caitlin is this year’s recipient of the Douglas Miller Rising Star Award. The Douglas Miller Rising Star Award recognizes an early career lawyer who is a CBA member in good standing and who exhibits professional excellence; service to the profession; and outstanding dedication and team spirit in his or her ongoing involvement with the CBA. This award is intended to provide early recognition of developing talent, honouring members who already demonstrate characteristics of leadership to the profession.
In addition to her legal practice in St. John’s, Caitlin is an active member of the CBA. She also volunteers with Access to Justice Legal Clinics and is the chair of the board of directors of the St. John’s Status of Women Council. She recently stepped away from her role as staff lawyer with Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity, to take on the position of junior commission counsel for the Inquiry into the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System.
Next on Urquhart’s list is a National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act, introduced by MP Lenore Zann in June 2021 to require examination of the link between race, socio-economic status and environmental risk. After the bill died on the floor of the House due to the dissolution of Parliament in the Fall of 2021, the bill was recently re-introduced as a private members bill (C-226). Urquhart is part of the movement calling for all members of parliament to support its expedited passage..
