Wayne has had a distinguished career as a university administrator, legal scholar, respected teacher, and constitutional and human rights expert. He has served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Allison University, an advisor to Governments, National Agencies and Tribunals on Canadian diversity issues, constitutional issues, and civil rights and human rights initiatives. He has returned to teaching as Professor of Law, at Dalhousie University (2004- Present). In June, 2005 he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.

Noted for his teaching, innovative research and writing, Professor MacKay has been honored by Universities, faculty and colleagues for his outstanding contributions to academic excellence, human rights and social justice. He is Canada’s leading authority on Education Law, and has written six books on this subject. He has written four books and over one hundred academic articles in the fields of constitutional law and human rights and privacy. Professor MacKay is recognized as a Canadian expert in constitutional law and human rights and cyberbullying.

As a Professor of Law for over thirty years at Dalhousie University’s respected Faculty of Law, Professor MacKay earned a reputation for strong commitment to teaching. His concern for accessibility and equity within the Canadian legal system prompted him to be part of envisioningand implementing the Law Program for Indigenous Blacks and Micmacs at the Law School. He became the Law Program’s first Director, and in recognition of his continuing commitment and contribution to diversity initiatives, the Nova Scotia Government appointed him Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission in 1995-1998.

His broad knowledge and distinguished record of achievement have resulted in a high demand for his wise counsel as a legal consultant and change agent. He speaks to diverse audiences on constitutional reform, Charter of Rights and education law issues. His respected opinions are sought by academics, public policy makers, government, community leaders, and the local and national media. In 2005 Professor MacKay conducted a year long review of inclusive education in New Brunswick and generated a major Report for the New Brunswick Government on reforming the education system in that province. In 2011-2012 he chaired the Nova Scotia Task Force on Bullying and Cyberbullying and wrote the Report. During 2013-2014 he is chairing Saint Mary’s University’s Presidential Council on Preventing Sexual Violence and Promoting Respect on Campus.

Professor MacKay has received numerous awards for his achievements, including the WPM Kennedy Memorial Award for the most distinguished Law Professor in Canada, and the Walter S. Taronopolsky Award for achievement in the field of Human Rights. He was also appointed a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in February 2005 and Queen’s Counsel in May, 2009.

He has served on several Royal Commissions, University Task Forces, and Professional Practice Committees of the Canadian Bar. He has served as arbitrator and sat as a Tribunal Member for the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. He also serves as a member and Director of the latter body at different times. He is an active member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Discipline Committee, the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Atlantic Human Rights Center and, was Vice-Chair of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, based in Montreal. He also served as legal advisor to the 2012 First Nations Education Panel.

In August, 2013 Professor MacKay was recognized by Canadian Lawyer as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers and Judges.

He chaired the Saint Mary’s University President’s Council on Promoting a Culture of Safety, Respect and Consent in 2014. Professor MacKay was granted a Honourary Doctor of Law degree from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia at their Fall Convocation in October, 2015 and he delivered the Convocation Address.

Allison is a Human Rights Officer with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. She is currently on secondment with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia, where she is delighted to be coordinating the Workplace Sexual Harassment Project. Since receiving her law degree from Dalhousie in 2014, Allison has built a career on advocating for marginalized communities, and in particular on issues surrounding gender diversity and the experiences of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Allison is also a skilled writer and musician, and is currently working on a first collection of short stories and recording her many songs.

Shannon is a Registered Social Worker and Clinical Trauma Specialist in Halifax, NS. She works with not-for-profit groups, law firms and community organizations across Canada, helping them understand the full scope of trauma-informed practices and how to work through a trauma-informed lens.Shannon is also a organizational consultant with Hardy Consulting and assists in crafting trauma-informed and trauma responsive policies, procedures and organizational change. For more information on training opportunities please contact her at [email protected]

Nicole is a plain language and editing consultant. She has helped organizations create clear public information on laws, including legal information for the public,and information about health, culture, the environment, and nature. She has spoken to law students and editors about plain language, and dreams of a cell phone contract anyone can understand on first reading.

Julien received his LLB from the University of New Brunswick in 2005. A sole practioner at North End Law in Halifax, Julien has contributed greatly to LISNS’s access-to-justice mandate by providing insight and training on self-advocacy and self-representation for members of the public interacting with the justice system.

Eric is a practicing lawyer, arbitrator and mediator in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Born and raised in Montreal, he received a B.Sc. from McGill before moving on to Toronto where he received his LL.B. and (in 2005) an LL.M. (ADR) at Osgoode.  Eric practiced civil litigation for a decade in Toronto before moving to Halifax and establishing his own law and ADR practice.  Eric is a veteran labour arbitrator and mediator in family and workplace matters.  He is a Small Claims Court Adjudicator, Board of Inquiry Chair for human rights cases, and a former Alternate Vice-Chair of the Nova Scotia Labour Board.