Building resilience

CBA National: What in your mind is the most significant challenge that the legal profession is facing right now?

Bianca Kratt: Justice is a cornerstone of our democracy and economic stability, but we’re seeing a lack of trust in institutions that risks spreading to the justice system. Working to strengthen and restore the public’s trust is important to me. When citizens better understand their rights, their responsibilities, and the institutions that serve them, they gain confidence in our justice system. That's why we need to continue our work to counter misinformation, educate the public, and ensure that the value of our system is more tangible and accessible in people’s everyday lives. 

We also can’t ignore the erosion of the rule of law south of the border. At the CBA, we cherish the rule of law, but not everybody holds it to the same level of importance. That is why we have to continually demonstrate its relevance to Canadians, why it matters not just in theory, but in practice, in protecting rights, freedoms, and stability. 

N: At a time when Canada’s sovereignty and our most trusted institutions are facing growing pressure, the legal profession must be resilient. What does that look like to you?

BK: A resilient legal profession is equipped to safeguard the rule of law, can adapt to emerging challenges, and is always prepared for what's ahead while adjusting as circumstances change. This can include dealing with limited resources and court delays, adapting to new technologies, and responding to declining public trust in our institutions. 

When we have a resilient legal profession, we care about our core values while finding new ways forward. We advocate for our courts to be well-resourced to ensure our judges have the tools they need to do what they do best: deliver justice in the courtroom.

Another aspect of this is focusing on lawyers' well-being and ensuring they are supported when they face challenges. 

It also means using innovations like AI responsibly and meeting the rising expectations placed on the legal profession. Technological change is one we’re faced with daily, and it’s essential that we embrace it. We must continue learning while maintaining strong ethics. That's why the CBA is working on an AI action plan to train small firms and sole practitioners who don’t have the same resources as large firms. We want to provide tools to ensure that AI is used responsibly.

N: Do you see proper and sustained investment as a key factor for a resilient legal system?

BK: Government funding of the courts is essential to maintaining access to justice. Inadequate funding leads to staffing shortages and delayed hearings, undermining the public’s confidence. Proper investment leads to adequate court resources and a well-functioning justice system. When people see that resources are in place and know that decisions will be rendered in a fair and timely manner, it helps build faith and trust in the system.

The CBA will continue to press governments to treat the health of the justice system not as a routine administrative matter, but as a critical democratic responsibility.

At the same time, we also have to think outside the box to develop complementary programs to improve access to justice. For example, if people are facing long delays, certain matters could be directed to arbitration, mediation, or judicial dispute resolution so that those cases are heard promptly and a fair decision is rendered in a timely manner. We also see value in specialized courts and restorative justice programs, which can provide tailored, community-focused solutions that help reduce pressure on the traditional court system.

N: I know empowering women is important to you. Can you discuss how building a resilient legal profession depends on its ability to support, retain, and elevate women in the law?

BK: I think it's a long project. It's not something that's going to be resolved overnight. Far too often, we see women leaving the profession because of the lack of flexibility, the stress and high demands of our profession, and the fact that women are usually also the primary caregiver of their family. With all these demands, at some point, many women decide to take a break, raise their family first and then return to the profession. But some choose to leave entirely. This is something that's really sad to me. Having women on committees and as partners at firms is very important. A diversity of perspectives strengthens our profession, and that only happens when women are supported, retained, and elevated into leadership roles. We need women to share their ideas and participate in discussions and decision-making. We have a lot to bring to the table, and ensuring that women are at the table is something I really care about. 

I’m looking forward to meeting with different groups throughout this year, across the country and worldwide, so that I can discuss with my peers what they’re doing to ensure women stay in the profession. 

I'm also hoping I'll be able to be an example for those who sometimes feel like they don't belong in the profession, to see me and think, ‘If she’s there, I can do this too.’ I didn't come from a family of lawyers. I didn’t learn English until I was early in my career. I had to build a practice for myself. That takes years, resilience, a passion for the work, and, most importantly, mentors and sponsors who believe in you. They make you shine and help you believe in yourself. Through the years, I was privileged to have people around me like that, and I'm hoping I can be that person for others this year. 

N: What is your measure of success for the year ahead?

BK: I really don't know what the exact measure will be in all of this, but I can promise that I will give 100 percent of myself to this position. Success, for me, will be about meaningful engagement. I want to meet with as many people as I can across the country to discuss the protection of the rule of law, the resiliency of the profession, and the importance of trust in the legal system. 

I want to meet with government officials and explain what we see on the ground, as well as members of the judiciary, to listen to their concerns and advocate on their behalf. 

I’m also keen to meet delegates and counterparts in other countries to discuss issues, exchange ideas and hear about solutions to problems that worked — and those that didn’t.

Ultimately, if I can do that and move the conversation forward in a way that strengthens our profession and our justice system, I’ll be proud of my year.

N: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

BK: I’m fascinated with unsolved criminal cases.

Around the time I was 10, I would watch the French version of the popular TV series Unsolved Mysteries. I can actually hear the iconic theme music as we talk about this. I definitely thought I should be an investigator, but then I realized you have to start as a police officer, handing out speeding tickets, before working your way up. Once I discovered that, I decided to take a different path into the law instead.

But I’m still fascinated by the psychological state of murderers and psychopaths, how their minds work and equally by the evidence and the process. I love seeing how investigators piece together the puzzle, the steps they take, and how close they come to finding the killer.

N: Did you ever think about going into criminal law yourself? 

BK: No, because of the language barrier. When I came to Alberta, I was 23 and my English was still a work in progress. I had already been called to the bar in Quebec, but since I had a civil law degree, I couldn’t practice here. So I started out as a legal assistant with a lawyer who did real estate and intellectual property, and I discovered that I really enjoyed real estate. He trusted me with clients and files right away, which gave me the chance to sharpen my skills in English while also realizing how much I loved the work.

When I later became a lawyer in Alberta after obtaining a common law degree at the University of Manitoba,  my focus was naturally on solicitor work. The thought of going to court made me nervous. I worried a judge might ask me a question I couldn’t understand, and I would have to admit it in front of everyone. So, instead of going into criminal law, I leaned into what I enjoyed the most: real estate, banking, and corporate work. And it turned out that’s exactly where I was meant to be.