Queen’s Marque
600-1741 Lower Water Street
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 0J2
Language(s) spoken: English
Bar Admission(s): Ontario 1994, Nova Scotia 1992
Executive Assistant: Heidi Evans
As the first female CEO of a law firm in Atlantic Canada, Lydia has a bold outlook and tenacious attitude. She combines her experience as a corporate lawyer with effective leadership skills and a forward-thinking belief in innovation to lead the Firm and support growth and prosperity in our region. Lydia is an ardent supporter of her community, serving as president, chair and board member of over half a dozen esteemed organizations, including the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation and Develop Nova Scotia.
Education & Career
Education
University of New Brunswick, LLB, 1991
Dalhousie University, BComm, 1988
Activities
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, 2015 – present
Regional Managing Partner, Nova Scotia, Stewart McKelvey, 2013 – 2015
Department Manager, Business, Stewart McKelvey, 2012 – 2013
Member, Partnership Board, Stewart McKelvey, 2008 – 2011
Associate Practice Manager, Corporate, Halifax office, Stewart McKelvey, 2001 – 2008 & 2012 – 2013
Member, Business Development Committee, Stewart McKelvey, 2008 – 2009
Chair, Board of Trustees, QEII Foundation, 2014 – present
President, Dartmouth HaliFast Track & Field Association, 2017 – present
Member, Board of Directors, Develop Nova Scotia, 2012 – 2020
President, Board of Directors, Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club, 2012 – 2015
Co-chair, YMCA fundraiser, “S’Mores in the City”, 2013 & 2014
Member, Board of Directors, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, 2007 – 2013
Chair, Board of Directors, Phoenix Youth Programs, 2005 – 2012
Chair, Board of Governors, Nova Scotia Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, 2010 – 2011
Accolades
Queen’s Counsel, 2020
Recipient, Atlantic Business Magazine Top 50 CEO Award, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021
Best Lawyers 2019 Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax
Best Lawyers 2018 Banking and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax
Best Lawyers 2017 Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax
Best Lawyers 2014 Mergers & Acquisitions Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax
Best Lawyers: Banking and Finance Law, 2013 – 2022
Best Lawyers: Corporate Law, 2006, 2008 – 2022
Best Lawyers: Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2011 – 2022
Best Lawyers: Natural Resources, 2013 – 2022
Member, 2013 Lexpert/American Lawyer Media’s Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers
Recipient, Lexpert Magazine’s ‘Top 40 Lawyers Under 40’ in Canada Award, 2004
Recipient, The Progress Club “Women of Excellence” Award, 2009
Recipient, Lexpert Zenith Award, “Leading Women Lawyers”, 2013
Martindale-Hubbell rating: CV
Presentations
Presenter, “Designing and implementing new initiatives“, Women in Leadership conference, April 2015
Co-presenter, “E-Contracts – How It Can Be Hip to be Square”, CBA Nova Scotia Mid-Winter Conference, Thursday
January 29, 2015
Co-Chair, “Taking Care of Business. Taking Care of Your Client”, CBA Nova Scotia Business Law Conference
November 14, 2014