Lawyer Profile
Lydia S. Bugden
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Overview
Lydia is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Stewart McKelvey, being called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1992 and the Ontario Bar in 1994. After seven years as in-house counsel Lydia joined Stewart McKelvey in September 1999. She is recognized in her profession previously being named Top 40 Under 40 by LEXPERT Magazine, and over the years has been noted as a leading corporate-commercial practitioner in a number of legal publications. Lydia gives her time as a member of the board of NetZero Atlantic and is Vice Chair of Ovarian Cancer Canada. She sits on the UNB Law Dean’s Advisory Council and Co-Chairs the UNB Law Campaign Cabinet. Lydia is a recipient of The Progress Club’s “Women of Excellence” Award, was named one of the top leading women lawyers in Canada receiving a Lexpert “Zenith Award” and in 2022 was inducted into the Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs Hall of Fame.
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, 2015 – present Member, Board of Directors, NetZero Atlantic, 2023 – present Member, Board of Directors, Ovarian Cancer Canada, 2022 – present Chair, Board of Directors, Scotia Investments Limited, 2024 – present Member, Board of Directors, C.D. Howe Institute, 2021 – 2023 President, Dartmouth HaliFast Track & Field Association, 2017 – present Member, Board of Trustees, QEII Foundation, 2014 – 2024 (Chair of the Board, 2019 – 2021; Past-chair, 2021 – 2023) Member, Board of Directors, Develop Nova Scotia, 2012 – 2020 Regional Managing Partner, Nova Scotia, Stewart McKelvey, 2013 – 2015 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 Member, Partnership Board, Stewart McKelvey, 2008 – 2011
King’s Counsel, 2020 Member, Atlantic Business Magazine Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame, 2022 Recipient, Atlantic Business Magazine Top 50 CEO Award, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 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 Recipient, Lexpert Zenith Award, “Leading Women Lawyers”, 2013 Best Lawyers: Banking and Finance Law, 2013 – 2026 Best Lawyers: Corporate Law, 2006, 2008 – 2026 Best Lawyers: Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2011 – 2026 Best Lawyers: Natural Resources, 2013 – 2026 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 Martindale-Hubbell rating: CV
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1992 (NS); 1994 (ON)