Tue 25 Sep 2018

Jane Morley Receives 2018 Susanna Jani Award for Excellence in Mediation

Posted by Walter.Brynjolfson

"Please join me in honouring Jane for her tireless and inspirational work." These were the words of Attorney General David Eby as he handed Mediate BC's most prestigious award to Jane Morley, Q.C. 

The award was given at the annual Mediate BC reception in Downtown Vancouver where, during her acceptance speech, Jane humbly described herself as having an "eclectic career." But to those who know her, these words hardly capture the breadth of her accomplishments. Even her closest colleagues have trouble summarizing the impact of her work in the community. "She has so many significant contributions," wrote the person who nominated her, "I'm embarrassed to say I don't know all of them!" 

Mediators and stakeholders mingling at the annual Mediate BC reception. 

A quick glance at her Mediate BC roster profile or her Restorative Solutions bio would give a highly summarized snapshot. By profession, she is a lawyer in Victoria with decades of experience. In the 1990s, she shifted her law practice to mediation and arbitration, resolving countless civil and family disputes. This led her to long time involvement with the BC Mediator Roster Society, and later Mediate BC, where she was a major driving force. Aside from those roles, she describes her calling as "a leader of organizational and social change." She was a Commissioner on Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008-2009) and is currently the Strategic Coordinator of Access to Justice BC; as well as one of the core team members of the BC Family Justice Innovation Lab. 

Mediators mingling at the Reception.

Much of Jane's passion lies in ensuring resources are available for all citizens of British Columbia to resolve disputes and justice issues. "We, as mediators," she said during her acceptance speech, "have a particular role to play in figuring out how we can make a difference in the area of access to justice." This perspective, along with much of the other qualities that make her such an excellent mediator and public figure, are why Mediate BC is overjoyed to present her with the Susanna Jani Award.   

About the Award

 The Susanna Jani Award for Excellence in Mediation, established in 2009, is an annual award acknowledging someone who has made a significant contribution to the field of mediation in BC. Previous recipients include Ron Tucker, Gordon Sloan, Sharon Sutherland, Peggy English, Lee Turnbull, Carole McKnight, Sally Campbell, and M. Jerry McHale, Joyce W. Bradley, Kari D. Boyle, and Marje Burdine.