Name:Carole Prest
Position: Member-at-Large
What is your current position?
I’m Counsel to the Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). I advise adjudicators about workplace safety and insurance law and policies and administrative law. I also act as the Tribunal’s Freedom of Information Coordinator. I’m constantly looking at new issues, making the work interesting and fulfilling.
Is your career path representative of a public sector lawyer?
I guess so. I was in private practice for eight years before I joined the Tribunal. I was primarily doing research. While I enjoyed it, I hadn’t intended to stay in private practice that long. I heard about this opportunity, by happenstance really, and applied. For me, it was a perfect fit! I’ve been at the Tribunal over 25 years now, in the same position throughout. The role has changed over the years, especially given that the legislation and policy are now more complex and the caseload has increased significantly.
Why did you join the Public Sector Lawyers executive?
Initially, I was a long-term executive member of the Administrative Law section. I reached the maximum number of years on that executive, but wanted to continue my involvement with the OBA. The Public Sector Lawyers section executive is a very similar fit. I enjoyed the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective. Some of the public law issues actually come up more in my day-to-day practice.
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