News

Since 1983, the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University has presented the Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service annually to an alumnus or alumna who has made outstanding contributions to the community and the legal profession on either a worldwide, national, provincial or local setting.

“We congratulate Trinda, whose strong commitment to volunteerism, and her contributions to her community and the legal profession over many years, make her an ideal candidate for this prestigious award,” says Schulich School of Law Dean Camille Cameron.

Ernst has worked at Waterbury Newton since 1985. Her field of expertise includes wills and estates, elder law, corporate/commercial law and real estate law. In her early legal career,  she practised extensively in family law and, to a lesser extent, criminal law. Previous roles included staff lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission and articled clerk at the Atlantic Regional Office of the Department of Justice (Canada) in Halifax.

In addition to her legal practice, Ernst is an active community volunteer with many organizations, including Girl Guides, Valley Voices a cappella choir, CentreStage Theatre Society, Rotary International, Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund and Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission.  She has been involved in many initiatives, including with Valley Women’s Business Network, Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce,  Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society and Valley Regional Hospital Foundation.

Among Ernst’s myriad awards and appointments are The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards), CBA-NS Branch’s Distinguished Service Award and Community Service Award, the Girl Guides of Canada’s Gold Merit Award and Honourary Member as a past National President of The Canadian Bar Association. However, she is perhaps most well known for taking young lawyers and law students under her wing at events and introducing them to her broad network of peers.

For more about the Weldon Award and other alumni awards, visit dal.ca/faculty/law/alumni/alumni-awards.html.

Contact:
Karen Kavanaugh
Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Schulich School of Law
karen.kavanaugh@dal.ca
(902) 494-3744