IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
2 Nov - 7 Nov 2025
Session information
Public servants first and lawyers second? The personal and professional ethical challenges for government and public lawyers
Monday 3 November (1430 - 1545)
Committee(s)
Forum for Government and Public Lawyers
(Lead)
Professional Ethics Committee
Description
Government and public lawyers are usually subject to the same ethical rules as private practitioners. However, government and public lawyers face conflicting duties, and their obligations as lawyers can clash with their obligations as civil servants. So, there are some unique challenges for government and public lawyers who must navigate their professional obligations, national laws and public sector codes.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Jane Anderson | Public Lawyer, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Co-Chair, Forum for Government and Public Lawyers |
| Andrew Mackenzie | Scottish Arbitration Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland; Co-Chair, Forum for Government and Public Lawyers |
Speakers
| Andrew Martin | Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Alessandra Nascimento S F Mourao | Nascimento e Mourao Advogados, São Paulo, Brazil; SPPI Council Member |
| Stephen Rotstein | Tribunals Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Treasurer, Forum for Government and Public Lawyers |