We live in a world where the right to professional self-regulation is put to the test every day; that right can be taken away if there is any question of conflict between the separate roles of public interest protector and advocate for the profession.
This past December, Sir David Clementi released his much anticipated final report, heralding major reforms to the regulation and discipline of lawyers in the UK. Among the most significant recommendations were the creation of a new Office for Legal Complaints- an independent body to handle all consumer complaints about providers of legal services - and a Legal Services Board to oversee the workings of the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council as regulators of solicitors and barristers, respectively. He also recommended both regulatory bodies separate out their regulatory and representative functions, to avoid the appearance of conflict in promoting lawyer interests while also being responsible for protecting the public interest. (www.legal-services-review.org. uk)
Australia has also experienced government intervention in the regulation of lawyers in three states, resulting in removal of some regulatory functions and all complaints handling to separate bodies. In Tasmania, self-regulation was removed entirely.
Closer to home, in June 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal which sought to uphold the Barreau du Quebec's immunity from civil
liability in relation to a specific disciplinary case. The Court found that while it was clearly an exceptional case, the actions of the Barreau were "not up to the standards imposed by its fundamental mandate, which is to protect the public." (Finney v. Barreau du Quebec)
Where there is any question about in whose interest a regulator acts, there is a risk to an entire profession The key is to ensure there is no perceived conflict between the roles of public protector and advocate for the profession. To ensure the right to self-regulation requires a strong law society seen by the public as acting openly and fairly as a protector of the public interest, and a strong bar association advocating on behalf of the interests of lawyers. "That separation has existed in Canada for decades," said Law Society President Ralston Alexander, QC.
The Law Society of B C. is proud of its record of timeliness in managing complaints and in the degree of public access it provides to citation information, hearings and panel reports. The Canadian Bar Association is proud of its strong presence both provincially and federa ll y, advocating the interests of lawyers to government, law societies, and in the courts. What is needed to ensure this role continues, however, is the support of the profession. In the words of CBABC President Michael Woodward, "The CBA is only as strong as the number of lawyers who choose to support us." Join the CBA online at www.cba.org/bc. BT The
16 Women Lawyers Forum Q
17 The Social Services Tax Is Wrong
y Margueri te (Meg) Sh aw 18 It's Time to Restore Legal Aid
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS
Waiting for a Good Reception
b y S usan Van Dy k e
Win Lawyer Show Tickets!
The Prize: 2 ticke t s to the Saturday, March 12 showing of "" Murder on the Nile ·· at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver. See photo on page 20 .
The Co n test: Guess the number of CBABC members as of March 1, 2005 The CBA membe r who guesses closest to the c orrect number wins . You must be a CBA member on March 4, 2005 to be eligible to win th is c o ntes t. (P lease allow up to 10 business days for pro cess ing membersh ip fees ] E- mail your s ingle numbe r guess to cba @b cc ba.org by March 4, 2005 (con t est closing date!.
Canadian Bar Association, B C. Branch
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Vancou ver , B C V6B 5T3 Tel : 604-687- 3404
Toll-free [in B C.]: 1- 888 - 687-3404
BarTalk is published six times per year by the Canadian Bar Association , Brit i sh Columbia Bran c h
BarTalk Senior Editor
Caroline Ne v in 604-687-3404, ext 320 cnevin @bccba.org
BarTalk Editor
Sandra Webb 604-646-7856
slgwebb @bccba org
Editor i al Board Chair David Dundee ddundee @kamloopslaw com
This publication is intended for information purposes only and the information herein should not be applied to specific fact circumstances without the advice of legal counsel.
The Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch represents more than 4,000 members within British Columbia and is dedicated to improving and promoting access to justice, reviewing legislation, initiating law reform measures and advancing and improving the administration of justice.
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THE CBA, BC BRANCH MEMBERSHIP SHUFFLE
I · just read in Ba r Talk that (1) the Law Society has indicated it will recc ognize participating iri. CBA , B C Branch Sections (receiving and
Send your LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to :
Caroline Nevin, BarTalk Senior Editor Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch
Fax: 604-669-9601
Toll-free fax: 1-877-669-9601
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Canadian Bar Association
British Columbia
reading the material toward lawyer continuing legal education and (2) the CBA, B .C. Branch will not allow non-members to participate in the Sections after January 2005.
Nice squeeze play!
Did some serious dialogue occur that was aimed a t overcoming the vote for voluntary CBA membership? I thought Section memb e rship was pay as you go, not a funded " perk " paid for by the CBA? Is the CBA prepared to deprive the 75 per cent B.C. lawyers who either didn't vote in the referendum or who voted against compulsory membership, of the collegiality and information provided by Section membership?
Parochial indeed . Perhaps the concepts need a little work.
-fames Garrett-Rempel
[Editorial Board Note: The referendum gave us all a choice, not a fee reduction Continuing legal education is not a choice, only the manner in which we choose to pursue it. When you consider the cost of CBA membership against even one CLE or TLA course per year, CBA and Section enrolments are a bargain. For more, see page 5. -David Dundee, Ba r Talk Editorial Board Chair]
HAPPY WHATEVER
(VOL. 16, N0.6)
Tony, thank you for saying publicly what so many of us would like to say but don't have the intestinal fortitude to do so - and for getting themessage across so effectively with humour and absurd but true examples!
Merry Christmas!
-Gordon Mame n Chelsea, QC (formerly ofCranb roofv B.C.)
FROM
THE PRESIDENT (VOL. 16, NO. 6)
Regarding " From the President" m the December 2004 BarTalk .. .all vignettes are, by definition, small!
-Richard P. Harnetty
Going Forward
Early returns, with renewal memberships still coming in at a healthy rate, indicate the election by approximately 45 per cent of th e practising bar to cont inu e CBA membership. Two obv ious concl usions can be drawn at this point. Firstly, in contrast with the 55 year universality system, these can be expected to be stronger and more committed members than was the case previously. As an organization governed and controlled by volunteers, these "volu ntary "
Michael C. Woodward President 2004/2005
B.C. Branch Canadian Bar Association members likely represent a new resource for the B.C. Branch as it moves forward. The second conclusion is that, as expected, and as budgeted for by our Provincial Council, the B.C. Branch will have fewer financial resources, and will, on an ongoing basis, be assessing both it s extensive range of programs and terms of access to those programs.
I look forward to working with the B.C Branch Executive Committee,
The Law Society's announcement of the resignation of Executive Director James Matkin, QC, and of the $290,000 severance payment included the comment "As a result of Mr. Matkin's resignation, it is no longer necessary for the Executive Committee to carry out an investigation." That is obviously true, but, equally this represents the loss of an important opportunity for the Benchers to articulate, for the profession generally and for the previous and next incumbent, the standards
expected of the individual appointed to this key position in the organization.
I dare say it would have assisted all to know whether the Executive Director, given the leadership
"voluntary"
As an organization governed and controlled by volunteers, these Provincial Council, and senior staff in making these necessary decisions, all with the view of keeping the CBABC vibrant and effective. Calls for nominations for elected members of Provincial Council are
it moves forward.
members likely represent a new resource for the B.C. Branch as included with this issue of BarTalk. The deadline for submission of nominations is March 23, 2005. I encourage a ll members of the profession who believe they could contribute, to consider placing their names in nomination. It was most gratifying to see that last year, contested elections occurred in seven of the eight counties from which Council members are elected .
role inherent in this position, is expected to meet an elevated ethical standard, and if so, what that standard entails and what behaviours that standard might prohibit . The settlement with Mr. Matkin means that, if the Benchers wish to articulate such standards, some new avenue of expression will have to be found. BT
FRANK KRAEMER
Times Are Changing
Why should I be a member of the Canadian Bar Association?
What do I get for the money that I pay?
In the post-universal membership world, these are questions on the minds of many B.C. lawyers
A number of recent publications have provided information about the work of the CBA, both nationally and provincially. Many of you will know that we operate 73 Sections and 31 national Sections that provide inexpensive, readily accessible practice information
Executive Director B C Branch
Canadian Bar Assoc iation
and opportunities for networking with colleagues. You are also undoubtedly aware of some recent successes the Branch has had in advocating legislative reform, including changes to the Real Estate Act, the Business Corporations Act, the Personal Information Protection Act, and Limited Liability Partnerships in the Partnership Act. On the national level, recent work on anti-terrorism legislation, Sarbanes Oxley and of course the legal aid test case all rank high among the CBA's accomplishments.
But is that enough?
While we believe that many lawyers find real value in the work of the CBA, we are determined to reinforce that value for those who pay membership dues . Members and non-members will see greater differentiation in their ability to access services provided by the CBA, and in the costs of doing so. The basic principle is simple: those who pay fees provide the resources for an infrastructure that allows for the provision of services. Those services should be available to members for free or at a reduced cost, or be available exclusively to them.
Generally speaking, members and "member firms" will pay approximately one-half of what non-
member lawyers and firms will pay for CBA services. Member firms are defined as firm s where 50 per cent or more of the lawyers are CBA members . Non-members will also find that some services are not available to them at all.
For example, CBA members and member firms can advertise for free on the CBA website, whereas non-member lawyers and firms are required to pay a fee and will be restricted to advertising jobs that are available within their firm. Section papers are available
free of charge, but only online a nd only to members. Legislative Update, previously available in BarTalk, is published online a nd only available to members
The Lawyers Directory will continue to publish contact information for all lawyers in B.C. , regardless of CBA membership. Members will have fr e e access to the complete, searchable listing of B.C . lawyers online, and will be cle a rly identified as CBA members in their online listing and in the print Directory. Members will receive one free Preferred Area of Practice listing in the print and online Directory, and be able to purchase additional listings at $25 each; non-members will not have that option . In addition, the cost of purchasing a Directory will be approximately half-price for CBA members.
We have heard the message loud and cle a r that the CBA must demonstrate va lue for the dues that lawyers pay, and we intend to deliver on that va lue . If you haven't yet renewed, I encourage you to consider the professional and economic benefits of doing so. You can renew online at www.cba.org/bc or by completing the form included with this issue of BarTalk. BT
Frank Kraemer
CBA President Meets Justice Minister Cotler
When CBA President Susan McGrath met Justice Minister Irwin Cotler on January 21,2005 she brought a list of member concerns to the table, the most important being the need for consistent, Canada-wide funding and eligibility criteria for legal aid.
The one-hour meeting also provided the CBA President with the opportunity to raise a number of other issues including the CBA's position on the appointment process to the Supreme Court of Canada and on federal judicial compensation, as well as the upcoming review of the anti - terrorism laws .
Characterizing the discussions as open and frank, Susan McGrath said: "The message I bring back to our members is one of confidence that our concerns were heard and understood. The Minister welcomes our substantive and 'principled' approach to our submissions to the government. I particularly look forward to progress on the legal aid front." Specifically, the Minister agreed to raise the issue of increased civil legal aid funding at this week's talks with his provinciaVterritorial counterparts. He also remains committed to pursuing same-sex marriage legislation, and in the near future he will deliver his report to the Commons Justice Committee on the appointment process for Supreme Court judges
The meeting was the first of several the President will hold with the federal Justice Minister to ensure ongoing communication and dialogue.
Increase Savings With CBA Financial Services RRSPs
The season of savings is upon us and CBA Financial Services (CBAF) is offering a member benefit that has the potential to increase your retirement savings. Through the purchasing power of the CBA , CBAF has negotiated no-load funds with investment fees that are lower than for many other investments. As well, investment selection is carefully screened and monitored For more about CBA Financial RRSPs, visit www.barfinancial.com.
Reduced Insurance Rates
The CB IA continues to provide superior bene fits to its members as a result of its not-for - profit status and favourable claims results At the January 15, 2005 Board meeting, CBIA Directors approved of dramatically lower term life insurance rates CBIA members will now enjoy the lowest rates on the market in all age categories. For more information about CBIA or CBAF products, call Eric Mass or David Hodgson at (toll free) 1- 888-477-5630 and in Vancouver at 604-688-8790.
What Your Clients Really Think
Clients may tell others what they think of the legal services they receive, but they're often shy about telling their lawyers. CBA PracticeLink talked to several clients to find out the good, the bad and clients' advice on how you can improve your practice. Discover some common complaints and learn eight essential keys to client satisfaction.
Other new items on PracticeLink (www.cba.org/ practicelink) are:
• Coping with Stress and Avoiding Burnout : Techniques for Lawyers
• Plain Language Legal Writing: Writing as a Process
• Quick tips on marketing, financial management, client services and more
Call for Nominations for Standing Committees
The CBA is currently seeking candidates for its National Standing Committees for 2005-2006 All CBA members are eligible to apply for positions on CBA committees. For information and an application form, please see the related insert in th is issue . The deadline for applicat ions is Friday, April 15, 2005 at noon
Sections Count for Professional Development
The Law Society now requires lawyers to report annually on the ir profess ional development act ivities. Benchers recommend 12 hours of formal education and 50 hours of self-study.
Attendance at Section meetings counts t oward this requ irement, and rev iew of Sect ion minutes/materials is reportab le as self-study hou rs [as lo ng as it is not fo r the purpose of research for a fi le/easel. Reg istered Sect ion members, who are also CBA members, can per use or download any arc hived materials at www.cba.org/bc.
Victoria Section Puts on the Line
Victoria young lawyers increased the magic factor this Christmas by establishing a "Santa Calling" program. Organized by members of the Young Lawyers- Victoria Section, interested parents and grandparents paid a minimum $5 donation to have a "Santa" from Eugene Raponi plays ··santa:· the Victoria Bar call the children and impersonate the jolly old elf himself.
Waddell Raponi was very supportive of the service , with both John Waddell, QC and Eugene Raponi making Santa calls. "The child I spoke to was four and it was hard to understand what he was saying. He was very excited," said Eugene. After one call, John marveled, "I'm sure that kid believed I was Santa "
Santa Calling donations benefited the Mustard Seed Food Bank, Vancouver Island's largest food bank. The Section hopes to build on the service's success and deliver Santa Calling to many more children in 2005, with increased donations to the Mustard Seed.
If your Section would like to try "Santa Calling" for Christmas 2005, please contact Sarah Klinger at sk linger@wadde ll raponi.com (to properly advertise, planning should start by mid-November).
Section Members Win CLE Prizes
The Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. (CLE) offered CBABC members an extra incentive to join Sections this year. In addition to the educational and socia l benefits of Sections, members who registered for three or more Sections were eligible to win a CLE prize. The CBABC thanks CLE for donating these prizes! The winners' names were drawn from a pool of 1,174 eligible Section members. The four winners and their prizes were :
MANJEET KAUR CHANA of the Legal Services Society- Vancouver won a $700 gift certificate to be used toward any CLE product;
PATRICK JOHN FIELD of Shook, Wickham, Bishop & Field won complimentary registration to a regular, one-day CLE course (approx. value $375);
STUART J. LEIN won complimentary registration to a regular, one-day CLE course (approx. value $375); and
DOMINIQUE ARIEA NOUVET of Cook Roberts won a $300 gift certificate to be used toward any CLE product.
Help for Tsunami Victims
The CBA's national Immigration Law Section is offer ing to review immigration appl ications at no c harge for Canadians and permanent residents in Ca nada who want to sponsor family members living in areas affected by the recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean. For details, please visit www.cba.org/cba/tsunami. February 2005
The CBABC sponso r s 73 Sections wh i ch play a vital role i n keeping members informed both on changes in the law, and legal and po l it i cal issues affecting a given area of practice They are the main resource utilized by the CBABC in l egislat ive review, law reform initiatives and in responding to ma t ters affect i ng the pr ofession. What follows is a sample of the recent act ivit i es of some Sections
ADM INISTRATIVE LAWVICTORIA
Dianne Flood , Executive Director of the Administrative Justice Office discussed the implementation of the Administrative Tribunals Act and the role of the Administrative Justice Office.
The Administrative Tribunals has pos1t1ve implications for those who have purchased homes before they are built
Appointment and Administration Act, S.B.C . 2003, c. 47 (the "ATAAA") reformed the process for appointments to tribunals. Among other things, it created a transparent merit-based process for appointments , ensuring that all
2. As of January 1, 2005, mortgagees will have to provide mortgage discharges within 30 days of receiving payout proceeds Their discharge fee is capped at $75. However, there is no penalty for failing to pro- , vide the discharge within 30 days
3. Lenders are beginning to return to lawyers for doing refinancing work rather than using title insurance. With e-filing, appointments are for fixed terms and clearly set out the management role of tribunal chairs. The ATAAA will be repealed, likely in the Fall of 2005, when the Administrative Tribunals Act , S B.C 2004, c. 45 (the "ATA") is brought into force by regulation. This Act is intended to achieve many of the objectives identified in the Administrative Justice Project's 2002 White Paper by codifying the common law and introducing consistent authorities and powers where appropriate and after consideration of a tribunal's unique nature, mandate and role. The new Act also addresses appointments to tribunals and the role of tribunal chairs. Ms Flood stressed that the ATA should be viewed as an evolving piece of legislation She predicted that it would be amended frequently as the need for reform and refinement arises .
COMMERCIAL AND REAL ESTATE-VANCOUVER ISLAND
Real estate conveyancing news items were announced by Ron Usher at a recent meeting:
1. The Property Transfer Tax is now calculated on the value of the property at the time the purchase contract is signed and not at the time of the transaction. Given the recent market conditions this
8 BARTALK February 2005
lawyers are now able to provide better service. In addition, with the Western Canada Protocol, lawyers are making the transaction easier for all involved
CRIMINAL JUSTICE-VANCOUVER
The Justice Review Task Force's Street Crime Working Group addressed Section members at a recent meeting. This group was formed to look into issues such as chronic re-offending , addiction, mental disorders and urban Aboriginal issues. One of the major problems faced is the lack of connection between the justice and the health system The group is exploring ways to connect the justice system with programs offered in the health arena. They are working with the health associations involved in the Vancouver area to provide input in to the decisions being made around accessibility of detox centres, safe injection sites and addiction services The administration of these services is being examined partly as a result of the Vancouver Agreement, a five-year plan involving three levels of government whose focus is on co-ordinating funders, prioritizing programs, dismantling the open drug scene, extending addiction services and revital izing Vancouver 's downtown eastside
Shelley Bentley practises wills and estates law at Kerr Redekop Leinburd & Boswell in Vancouver.
Street Crime Working Group: Among others , this 14 - member group includes Judge William Kitchen from the Provincial Court Bench , Dan Mulligan , remand prosecutor in charge of charge approval , Pet e r Leask, QC from the defence bar, Susan Richter from the Co a stal Health Board, Lisa Burgess from the Ministr y of the Attorney General , Debbie Grang e r, Crown Counsel, AI Shoom from Regional Community Corrections and Heather Hay from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
FAMILY-VANCOUVER
Angela Thiele acted for the Respondent father m Hietane n v. H ietanen 2004 BCSC 306, a recent case noteworthy for Mr Justice Fraser's finding that payors are responsible for producing evidence of their incomes even without prompting by payees following the concept of " utmost good faith, " an idea borrowed from insurance law
Ms Thiele discussed the Hietanen case and offered the following practice tips:
• Ensure that your client can distinguish between regular salary and overtime pay on pay stubs.
• Provide for the possibility of overtime work in agreements and provide that if your client elects to work overtime it will not be considered income for the purposes of the S u pport Guidelines.
• Be wary of bumping up sp o usal support as a way of increasing child support In the case at hand the original intention of providing generous spousal support was to provide a tax-beneficial way of supplementing child support Perhaps any agreement with such terms should provide that any increase in child support should trigger a review of spousal support.
• Verify your client's present income when preparing a Child Support Fact Sheet in divorce proceedings following a se paration agreement.
LABOUR
"Video Surveillance : Reasonable exercise of management rights, or outr a geous infringement of privacy?"
Arbitral authority holds that absent an express term in the collective agreement, there is no blanket prohibition against video surveillance in the work place. When is it a re a sonable exe rcise of management rights ?
The focus of discussion in a recent meeting led by Gina Fiorillo and Norm Trerise w a s on the arbi-
trati o n ruling of Donald Munroe , QC in Pope and Talbot In this case the grievance concerned a production area where chips were off- loaded from a scow by a barge loader. There would be significant charges for the employer if the off- loading was not done in a timely manner. The supervisor worked some distance away and could not directly supervise. A video surveillance camera was installed providing 24-hour surveillance of a part of the production area, but not the whole area. The monitor, although on 24 hours a day, was not watched every minute
The employer argued that the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) was legislated to protect employers. Mr. Munroe, QC noted that the legislation did not alter the existing jurisprudence. PIPA requires a balancing test between employees ' privacy rights and an employers' legitimate business interest. Where the surveillance is surreptitious, the test is:
1. Is there a substantial problem?
ii. Is there a strong possibility that surveillance will be effective?
iii Is there no reasonable alternative to surreptitious surveillance?
Where the surveillance is obvious the standard of reasonableness is lower. However, employee privacy rights do not override the employer's legitimate business interests. Mr. Munroe, QC found that constant surveillance is preoccupying and may result in the diminution of an employee's sense of dignity and privacy . In this case, although the employer had a reasonable justification for installing the camera, Mr. Munroe , QC ruled that constant 24-hour surveillance was an unreasonable exercise of management rights BT
Lawyer Referral Service Increases Consultation Fee
Effective January 1, 2005 lawyers registered with the Lawyer Referral Service [LRS] will charge $25 [plus tax] for the in itital half-hour consultation.
At this t ime, lawyers who are not members of the CBA may continue to participate in LRS . For more information call Lorna O'Grady at 604-646-7858 or toll-free 1-888-687-3404, ext 309.
Adding Value to a Legal Relationship
Going beyond the norm
)i Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more? )i
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia and Bill Kreutzmann, recorded by Th e Grateful Dead
It has become almost trite to read in publications that professionals of all sort s today need to learn to add "value" to
pliers, bargaining power of customers, threat of substitutes and competitive rivalry within the industry)? Can you couch your advice in terms of the five forces model?
• How often do your clients consult you? Do they use you to solve problems or avoid them?
• How would you characterize
David J. Bilinsky is the your working relationship wit h Practice Management Advisor your major clients? How do you their services in order to be competitive. However, what does it mean to add "value"? Is it not enough today for a lawyer to pro-
at the Law Society of B C think your clients would answer E-mail: daveb@lsbc.org that question?
vide competent legal services? What are the attributes that clients seek (and will change lawyers in order to find?) . The American Corporate Counsel Association has been looking at these issues for some time and their findings are illustrative. Their thinking raises a host of questions for lawyers who are seeking to add value to their client relationships :
• Have you upgraded your legal skills to the highest level possible in your area(s) of practice? Clients today expect that you continu ally learn as much as you can in their particu lar legal area of interest.
• How well do you bridge the gap between the law and your client's business needs? Today cli e nts expect that you have not only acquired the same technical knowledge that they have, they expect that you have learned their business processes as well. Can you suggest how their systems and procedures can be changed to achieve their legal and business aims in a way that promotes business cost savings and efficiencies?
• Do you read what your clients are reading ? Do you fully understand their terminology and their concerns in terms of Michael Porter's five forces model (threat of new entrants, bargaining power of sup -
• What is the one best thing about your working relation ship with your major clients? What is the worst thing? How do yo u think your clients would answer these two questions?
• What one thing can you do to improve the working relati onship with your major clients?
• Do you recommend the selection of alternate counsel where appropriate, even if they are outside the firm?
• Have you asked your clients what types of information would be of greatest use to them? If not, why not?
Asking these questions can start the process of thinking about adding value. However, while questions can be illustrative, it is always useful to h ave concrete suggestions as well. Here is a number of specific steps that you can take to add value to your client service:
• Become more practical- clients today want you to think like a businessperson as well as a lawyer.
• Solve problems better- give strategic advice that is creative and proactive and appropriately addresses risk.
• Raise your level of expertise- by being right up to date on developments in the law and in your
client's industry. Demonstrate this to your clients.
• Be more of a team player - treat everyone with personal parity and actively search for practical business solutions that your clients can appreciate.
• Listen better- acquire active listening skills.
• Respond faster -an e-mail with the requisite content is more important than a formal letter.
• Be more available - return calls within two hours of receipt
• Communicate with more clarity and relevanceeliminate legalese.
• Display proficient understanding of the law and business relevant to the needs of your clientdemonstrate your expertise in written updates on new developments that discuss both aspects.
• Be more flexible- considerate and suggest alternative so l utions.
• Provide appropriate legal training on issues relevant to your clients - put on seminars for your clients to help them understand the legal background.
• Understand your clients ' business objectives better - meet with them "with the meter off' to discuss their business plans and how you can help shape them in a legal framework
• Understand your clients' businesses better - spend time on their shop floor talking to their staff and asking questions.
• Kept the clients better informed of legal developments affecting their businesses - start a regular electronic newsletter.
• Be more accurate and reliable - stick to deadlines, remember names and keep promises.
• Be better at projecting a personality th a t inspires trust, approachability and candour - morph out of the three piece suit mindset into a trusted legal advisor (or as my daughter says, "get real...").
• Be better at anticipating issues and providing alternative resolutions- offer to be involved at an early stage in new projects and demonstrate why this is advantageous.
• Be a more active and accepted member of the client's business team - sit in on their planning meetings with the meter off Show that you take an interest in their business plans and wish to grow with them.
• Provide advice that is more intelligible and useful
to the client - not couched in terms of legalese and terminology.
• He l p provide solutions to problems rathe r than legal opinions (that are technically correct but don't assist w i th problem resolution)
• Improve your professional manner - all of us have been exposed to a "bad bedside manner" - strive for the opposite
• Show more ethical leadership - make it easy for your clients to take the high road - shoulder the burden.
When it comes down to it, how to add value is a multi-faceted answer to the question, "How can you serve your clients better?" Ultimately, it comes down to caring a bit more, trying a little bit harder and trying just a little bit more. BT
The views expressed herein are strictly those of the author and may not be shared by the author's employer, the Law Society of B.C.
Fool-Proof Ways to Wow Clients at Reception
Brought to you by Susan Van Dyke. See page 19 for Susan's column "Waiting for a Good Reception."
1. Greet visitors by name and alert receptionists to new VIP visitors
2. Keep the reception area tidy
3. Pre-book boardrooms
4. Hang coats and rescue dr ipping umbrellas
5 Offer coffee/tea/water/ju ice (even if you have to build a refreshment station nearby) and serve in china or a quality glass
6 Update visitors regularly on the status of their meeting
7. While waiting, introduce other firm members who are relevant to the prospect or client
8. Keep a stash of clean quality toys in the event kids are in tow
9. If the delay is excessive, order breakfast or lunch for the client or prospect
10 Smile and use a friendly tone of voice
Penge Bungalow Syndrome . . .
Like Rumpole, sometimes the very best part of our career was the begmnmg of zt.
Like the pharmaceutical industry "discovering" a new disorder just so it can market a drug to cure it, I have found a condition common to lawyers of a certain age. I call it Penge Bungalow Syndrome, and it's named after the Penge Bungalow murders, perhaps the most famous murder trial that never happ ened. It's from Rumpole, and it's referred to in John Mortimer's books almost as frequently as She Who Must Be Obeyed, which is what Rumpole called his wife and what I called
the loo and asked him to write "To She Who Must be Obeyed, And All Who May Sail In Her" on the back of the program. He said that was a peculiar thing to write about my wife, but I said it was about my boat. Then, after signing, he said ''I'd love to speak longer, but I'm afraid I really must pee." With that, he was off. He probably decided to use the cubicle than the urinal so no one else would turn his way and ask him for another autograph, with catastrophic consequences Sun, and Macleans magazine E-mail: twilson @boughton .ca Which brings me back to my first boat.
Wilson is a Franchise and Intellectual Property lawyer at Boughton He"s written for the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver
Now I presume all of us know Rumpole, because as lawyers , we ' ve all read the books or watched the late great Leo McKern play him on TV. And many of us know something of author John Mortimer, because unlike McKern, Mortimer is not only still alive, but holds the record of being one of the very few speakers at the Vancouver Bar Association's C hristmas Dinner not to have been pelted with a bun. He spoke in 1987, and unlike any other speaker I'd seen in that hot seat, he had the audience (rather than a bun) in the palm of his hand. Nothing was thrown at him. No obnoxious conversations were held while he spoke. He left the room thinking that members of the B.C. bar were a respectful and polite lot Then he met me.
Now Mortimer wasn't a dying George Harrison, and I wasn't trying to get him to sign a guitar on his deathbed, but I wanted an autograph anyway. As he was surrounded over dinner by an armada of judges and other VIPs, I couldn't find a polite way to get to him, so I found an impolite way. He stood up, no doubt to see a man about a dog, and I made my move. With pen in hand, I accosted him en route to
12 BARTALK Februar y 2005
Penge Bungalow Syndrome. It was Rumpole's tour de grace, his Waterloo, his finest hour. He faced a hanging judge, alone and without a leader, became an expert on bloodstains, and secured an acquittal. But the trial happened in the first year or so of Rum pole's practice and everything else in his fictional long career paled by comparison. In other words, the height of his career was the beginning of it, and everything else was downhill from there
Years ago, I read a Supreme Court of Canada decision where one of the counsel was an old friend of mine from law school. I called him to discuss the case: "Ahhh ... " he sighed. "My first year of practice and I'm at the Supreme Court of Canada on a fundamental question of constitutional law. Now I do foreclosures and ICBC work. That case was the Penge Bungalow murder trial of my career. "
So there you have it. Penge Bungalow Syndrome is when lawyers have the finest professional experience of their lives while articling, or in the first few years at the bar, only to discover the career ahead is an end less routine of partners meetings, billing targets, accounts receivable, fee estimates and less than constitutionally satisfying law. There is no cure. BT
Tony
Easier to Use, Easier to Access
An all -around smarter website
You are invited to visit the redesigned CBABC website at www.cba.org/bc. At the CBA , we are working to bring members better online access to services, tools and resources. Our updated site features seven main categories, which include Membership, Sections & Groups, Initiatives, CBA Publications, Practice Resources, Public & Media and About Us Here is a brief introduction to each category.
MEMBERSHIP
Patricia Jordan is the CBABC Manager, Interactive Media. She welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions Tel: 604-646-7861
est groups as an entry point for members to become active in the Association. Read about Sections , Committees , the Women Lawyers Forum and the MLA Network in "Sections & Groups." Through CBABC Sections members can a ccess meeting notices, minutes, executive contact information, and more. Committee mandates and contact information is available in "Cmnmittees "
PRACTICE RESOURCES
Practice Advisory Panel listings, the Member D ispute Resolution Service, information kits and stan - Discover the many benefits of CBA membership online Learn
E-mai l : pjordan@bccba.org about "Member Savings" through the CBA Preferred Supplier Network and "Special Programs" such as the Birth!Adoption Benefit Program, Waiver of Dues Program, Members' Special Circumstances Fund, and monthly payments. This area provides fee and eligibility information with links to join the CBA , renew membership and update your member profile online.
INITIATIVES
The CBA promotes the interests of i ts members on a number of fronts within the legal community and at large. Visit this area to learn about the CBA's advocacy role and its submissions to government . Information on public awareness campaigns , th e volunteer registry, Lawyer Referral Service and agreements with international bar associations is a vailable online .
SECTIONS & GROUPS
At the provincial, territorial and national levels , the CBA welcomes your involvement CBABC offers a full range of Sections, Committees, and special inter-
dard forms, legal careers , and more are found here
CBA PUBLICATIONS
This area has archives for BarTalk , Branch annual reports, E x ecutive Committee and Provincial Council meeting minutes, Legislative Update and current issues in legislation and law reform. Links to the CBA Code of Professional Conduct and the National are also available . CBABC members have free access to the lawyers ' portion of the online directory at www.bccbadirectory.org, and to archived Section papers.
PUBLIC & MEDIA
This section provides public access to information on CBABC programs, including Dial-A-Law, the Lawyer Referral Service and Law Week. The Media Contact Guide and an archive of CBABC news releases are available online The "Public & Media" area offers a list of CBA and CBABC awards.
ABOUT US
In this are a you ' ll find CBABC key contacts , bylaws, the privacy policy and frequently asked questions. BT
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided to you in this article but the information should not be relied upon. Lawyers should refer to the spec ific legislative or regulatory provision. You will see a reference in some cases to the number of the bill when it was introduced in the House. This number may be d ifferent from the chapter number of the new Act wh i ch is quoted after the title of the Act and wh i ch is the proper citation for the Act. The bill number has been given to make it easier for you to note up the Bills you may have in your library.
CURRENT FROM NOVEMBER 1 to DECEMBER 31, 2004
Legislative Update is provided as part of the CBABC legislation and law reform program. It i s a serv ice funded by CBA membership fees, and is therefore prov i ded as a benefit of CBA membersh i p. The full version of Legislative Update i s n ow published on l i n e, availab l e to CBA members exclusively at www.cba.org/bc.
ACTS IN FORCE
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS ACT, S.B.C. 2004, C. 45 (BILL 561
Sections 163 to 165 and 172 are in force November 19, 2004
Sections 67 to 69 , 101 to 103, 120 to 127, 174 to 176 and 179 to 188 are in force December 3, 2004.
ATTORNEY GENERAL STATUTES AMENDMENT
ACT, 2004,S.B.C.2004, C. 57 (BILL 621
Section 10 is in force November 19, 2004 Sections 6 to 9 and 13 to 15 are in force December 3, 2004.
B.C. RAIL BENEFITS (FIRST NAT I ONS! TRUST ACT, S.B.C. 2004, C. 58 (BILL 581 Act is in force November 1, 2004.
BARTALK
Stuart Rennie is the CBABC Leg i slation & Law Reform Officer.
Tel: 604-949-1490
E-mail : srenn i e@bccba org
BUSINESS PRACT ICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, S.B C. 2004, C 2 (BILL 21
Effective January 1, 2005, B .C. Reg. 274/2004 is amended to bring into force sections 219 , 220 , and 229 of the Business Pra ctices and Consumer Protection Act (the " Act ") (B.C. Reg 520/ 2004).
Effective January 1, 2006, B.C. Reg 274/2004 is amended to bring into force Part 5, sections 196, 207, 216, 218 and 221 to 228 of the Act (B.C. Reg. 520/ 2004)
Effective January 1, 2006, B.C . Reg. 274 / 2004 is amended to change the repeal date from "January 1, 2005" to "January I , 2006." Effective January 1, 2005, B.C. Reg . 273 / 2004 is amended to
change the in force date from "January 1, 2005 " to "January 1, 2006 " (by B.C. Reg. 520/ 2004)
COMMERCIAL
APPEALS COMMISSION REPEAL ACT, S.B.C . 2003, C. 51 (B I LL 701
Section 32 (a) is in force Decemb e r 31 , 2004 .
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, S.B.C. 2003, C. 53 (BILL 571
Section 178 (b) is in fo r ce December 31, 2004 .
FINANCE
STATUTES
AMENDMENT ACT, 2004, S.B.C. 2004, C. 62 (BILL 691
Sections 40 and 41 are in force December 1, 2004 . Sections 3 1 to 39 are in force December 31 , 2004.
Sections 1 to 20,22 to 101, 102, 104 , 105 , 107 to 119, 120 (a) to (c) and (e) to (i) and 121 to 142 are in force December 31, 2004.
FOREST AND RANGE PRAC-
MINERAL TENURE AMEND-
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPTICES AMENDMENT ACT, MENT ACT, 2004, S.B .C. MENT MARKETING ACT, 2003,S.B.C. 2003,C. 55 2004, C. 22 (BILL 291
S.B.C. 2004, C. 41 (BILL 42) (BILL 69)
Sections 1 to 8, 10 to 17, 19 to 34 , Act is in force Janu a ry 1, 2005
The portion of section 84 that 36, 38 to 56, 58 and 61 are in amends section 81 (1) (b) (ii) and force Janu a ry 12, 2005. (iv) of the Forest Act is in force
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
December 3 , 2004. ACT, S.B.C. 2004, C. 42 (BILL MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES 41 I
AMENDMENT ACT, 2000, The Act , e xcept the d efinitions of FORESTS STATUTES
S.B.C. 2000, C. 9 !BILL 81 "compens a tion fund corporation " AMENDMENT ACT, 2004,
Section 34 is in force November and "speci al compensation fund " S.B.C. 2004, C. 36 !BILL 331 19, 2004 in section 1 and sections 109 to
The portion of section 146 that 115 and 135, is in force January 1, repeals section 41 (8) to (13) of 2005. the Forest Practices Code of British
MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDColumbia Act is in force MENT ACT, 2004, S.B.C.
December 3, 2004 . Sections 79, 2004, C. 68 !BILL 66)
TRANSPORTATION ACT, 80, 81,
Section 10 as it enacts section 95
S.B .C. 2004, C. 44 !BILL 47) 102 are in force December 13, (1) (c) of the Motor Vehicle Act, The Act, except section 52 (5), is 2004. sections 11 (a) and 21 (a) as it in force December 31, 2004 enacts section 234 (2) (a) of the Moto r Vehicle A ct are in force
INTEGRATED PEST MAN- January 1, 2005. Sections 8, 18 TRANSPORTATION AGEMENT ACT, S.B.C. 2003, and 19 as it enacts sections 215.1 STATUTES AMENDMENT C. 58 (BILL 531 to 215 3 of the Motor Vehicle Act ACT,2004,S.B.C. 2004, C. 72
The Act, except section 43, is in are in force January 17, 2005. !BILL 75) force December 31 , 2004 . Section 19 as it enacts section
Sections 1 to 8, 10 and 12 to 18 215.4 of the Motor Vehicle Act is are in force November 19 , 2004. in force December 13 , 2004. Sections 17 and 18 are in force LAND TITLE AND SURVEY December 31, 2004 AUTHORITY ACT, S.B.C. 2004, C. 66 !BILL 68)
NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT
Sections 1 and 44 (1) to (8) are in INITIATIVE TRUST ACT, WATER, LAND AND AIR force November 5, 2004. Sections S.B.C. 2004, C. 69 !BILL 59) PROTECTION STATUTES
2 to 18, 19 (1) (a) and (c), 21 to 33, Act is in force November 1, 2004. AMENDMENT ACT, 2004, 34 (4) and (5), 35 to 43, 44 (9) to S.B.C. 2004, C. 30 (BILL 16) (11) and 45 are in force
The Chai r of t he Wome n Lawyers Forum ["the Forum"). Jenn ifer Conkie, is now well into t he f irst year of her term. The Forum has been active since the fall of 2003 with an ongoing series of events and programs Jennifer recently discussed her vision for the coming year.
WHAT ARE THE FORUM'S TOP PRIORITIES DURING 2004/2005?
Our first a im is to offer to members events that support them in their career and professional development . One key challenge is to consolidate our membershipcurrently around 200 women. We ' re expanding our outreach ,
Jennifer Conkie 2004/2005 Chair
Women Lawyers Forum
Tel: 604-662-7544
E-mail : jconkie @conkie-law ca
beyond the Lower Mainland, and even outside B.C
TELL US ABOUT THE MENTORING PROGRAM. Through the dedication of our members , we've matched women lawyers through a ll levels of practice. We have more than 100 placements in Vancouver, 24 in Victoria and 24 in Kelowna , and the program will add new pairs in 2005.
WILL THE "WORKSHOP SERIES" CONTINUE?
Abso l utely. We have been told by our members that workshops are a great way to network, hear exceptional speakers , and meet a wide range of busines s and community leaders. Building on a great response this fa ll, we'll continue the " Lunch and Learn " series in 2005. Our two-day Leadership Institute in th e spring is our biggest event for the year. More informally , Margaret Ostrowski, QC is hosting a potluck dinner for all members at her home in February
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE FORUM'S COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS. Assisting women in law with relationship - building is import a nt to us. Apart from our mentoring program , 16 BARTALK February 2005
we are networking nationally a with our American counterpart We are even planning a trip tot Far East for 2006! Meanwhile, o initiative to become a nation forum is well underway We w · host an event at the August 20 National CBA conference · Vancouver.
HOW CAN WOMEN LAWYERS "CONNECT" WITH THE FORUM .
Our members, and potenti members, are located across B. and we're working hard to ensu expanded outreach to wome
la wyers located outside the Low Mainland . W e hope women lawyers will make t Forum their "meeting p lace! I'd encourage reade o f BarTalk to cont a ct us. We are always looking ft ideas a bout how w e can better connect with wome la w yers in B.C. and how we can continue to serve . This ye a r we want to focus on communicatin regularly with everyone in B.C .'s legal communit Our links to the CBA and our B.C. Branch are ce tainly va luable in that regard and we also want build alli a n ces with other law-related groups of pr fessional women BT
Join the Forum
To jo in the Women Lawyers Forum, you must be a CBA member. For Forum membership information contac t the CBABC office at 604-687-3404 or call toll - free 1-888-687-3404 or visit www .cba .org/bc for a Section enrolment form.
The Social Services Tax Is Wrong
Itis 2005, a new year, an important year, an election year. Will the social services tax (SST) on legal services finally be rescinded? The NDP government imposed the tax on legal services in March of 1992, generating hundreds of millions of dollars over 13 years of payments by the taxpayer s of B.C. who are users oflegal services. The Branch has consistently advocated for elimination of this unfair, discriminatory, and arbi-
and Chair of the CBABC's trary tax. Social Services Tax Task force.
In the past year, our advocacy effort has been strength ened with the allocation of campaign resource s and the appointment of an SST Task For ce with representation from lawyers around the province.
In November, Frits Verhoeven, Secretary Treasurer of the Branch presented a submission on our behalf to the Finance and Government Services Committee (FGSC), which prepares recommendations to the Minister of Finance for pre-budget consideration. This was an exceptional year in that, for the first time ever, other significant organizations included the elimination of the SST on legal services in their presentations This came about as a result of lobbying efforts by the Branch.
We have had strategi c meeting s with organizations representing business and consumers throughout B.C., such as the Business Council of B.C., to discuss how the SST on legal services is an important issue and negatively impacts their members. The tax on legal services is a competitiveness handicap for existing businesses, and a barrier to encouraging new business or expanding business in B .C.
In the words of Vincent Morgan, Administrative Partner at Davis & Company, "A s an admitted tax on
business it is a disincentive for business to open up or expand in British Columbia. All things being equal who would open up a new business or expand an old one in this province for the privilege of paying a seven per cent tax on the legal fees associated with that opening or expansion or subsequent operations? In this regard the tax on legal fees is analogous to the sales tax on machinery, aviation , and bunker fuel purchases and the corporation capital tax, all
of which made some aspect of British Columbia business less competitive and all of which are presently (August 2001) in the process of being repealed."
This year the Finance and Government Services Committee made 19 recommendations to the Finance Minister, ranging from measures to improve education to targeted tax reductions for retail merchants and small businesses. Although the report did not contain a specific recommendation for the elimination of the SST on legal fees, the Committee did recommend that the Minister consider further tax reductions and conduct a review of existing exemptions.
With the government projecting large surpluses for the next several years, there is no better time to get rid of this discriminatory tax. Legal services are not a luxury; they are the "glue" that holds our province, our economy and our society together. The tax on legal services unfairly penalizes individuals and businesses that already contribute their share of taxes, and it diminishes costs awarded in injury and civil law cases. It's time for this government to do the right thing and eliminate the SST on legal services.
Marguerite (Meg) Shaw is Vice-President of the CBABC
It's Time to Restore Legal Aid Funding
Almost three years ago the B .C. Government announced that legal aid funding would be slashed by almost $35 million, from just over $88 million in 2001-2002 to just under $54 million in 2004-2005.
It was a decrease of approximately 40 per cent. Those spending cuts specifically targeted B.C.'s poorest people. So much of the progress our province had made in access to justice issues was turned back.
For some years now funding cuts to legal aid have meant that serious problems within the legal aid system have been avoided by administration wizardry, by the dedication and hard work of those working within the various legal aid offices and by the preparedness of our colleagues to accept work at unprofitably low legal aid rates and often for no pay at all.
Our law promises equal justice for everyone This promise is not fulfilled when low-income individuals, especially women, have no meaningful access to the civil justice system. We embrace access and equality rhetorically without making serious attempts to give them practical content. "Equal justice under the law" does not approximate the way the system operates in practice. It is not what we wanted justice in our province to become.
A generation ago, one of history's greatest civil rights leaders wrote a short, simple letter. At the time he was sitting in a small, dark jail cell in Alabama. Martin Luther King wrote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere "
Here in B.C., this is the threat we face. Justice is threatened everywhere, because injustice will result if the government does not reverse its position on legal aid funding.
18 BARTALK February 2005
The growing number < unrepresented litigants is distu rl ing. More unrepresented litigan are appearing before the Cou r putting new and a dded pressu re on the Courts' time and judge patience. The lack of legal rep n sentation not only puts the intere of the litigants at risk, it inevitab slows down court procedures a wastes publ ic resources. Legal aid is a valuable pub benefit. Now that the provinc government has balanced t budget and enjoys a surplus, it Committee.
time to restore legal aid funding. A responsive a responsible justice system should not and cann deprive people or even discourage poor people fro seeking help for serious legal problems.
Each business and citizen who pays a lawyer do work pays a social services tax, originally desi nated for legal aid. This tax collects about $100m lion every year. The truth is that legal aid progra can more than pay for themselves as a result oft social services tax on legal accounts. So long as t social services tax is collected from our clients, should go to legal aid.
We cannot absolve the Government of B.C. fro its responsibility to provide adequate legal aid fun ing. We all recognize that a primary role for gover ment is to protect those who cannot protect the selves. The cuts to legal aid programs seriou underm ine this very legitimate role for governme '
Now is not the time for lawyers to be silent. Iu time for lawyers to speak out. It is time for lawyers speak out loudly and with one strong voice.
Providing every citizen with equal treatm before the law is always difficult But it remains o of the most cherished principles and objectives of fr and democratic societies. Lawyers must d e fend it.
W. Laurence Scott is the Chair of the CBABC Legal Aid
Waiting for a Good Reception
You're nervously waiting for an important potential client to arrive at your office . You've spent months, perhaps a year, hoping for this day The prospect steps off the elevator and strides into your reception area for the first time. Within five seconds an irrevocable impression is sealed.
What if the reception area looked up-to -date, stylishly confident, comfortable and welcoming? And the receptionist smiled at your prospect and said "Good morning Mr. Hunter, Mr. Tyson is looking forward to seeing you. I'll
Communications, is a law firm market i ng consultant.
Tel: 604-876-7769
E-mail: svandyke@telus.net
call him now and let him know you've arrived and then I'll hang your coat and offer you something to drink. Please feel free to have a seat; I'll be right with you."
Reception is a window to the firm. Provide every single visitor with the same great view. A good receptionist will jugg le multiple tasks, but most importantly, greet visitors with genuine warmth and polished hospitality. Chatting with a waiting visitor while cheerfully answering the phone, signing for couriers, booking boardrooms and directing the lunch caterer are done simultaneously. Like any good host, they appear to be enjoying themselves.
Surpass client expectations by paying attention to details. How visi t ors feel will affect their impression of your firm. Make it a point to ensure the visitor feels important and valued.
When a lawyer is running late the receptionist and secretary can help. Update visitors every five or 10 minutes after the meeting time has lapsed. Let them know what is happening. Have you reached the secretary? Has the person your visitor is meeting
with returned from lunch? Are they wrapping up a call?
A wait beyond 15 minutes necessitates the secretary's personal appearance to introduce herself, explain the delay, estimate the further wait and settle the visitor into
a boardroom if one is available. Demonstrate how to use the telephone and offer a pen and paper. Go back every five minutes. Done right, this "distraction by hospitality" approach will, in many instances, supersede the annoying delay. As the wait (or irritation level) mcreases, so
should your fuss-factor. But judge each person individually.
Great receptionists are difficult to find. "Receptionist positions are among the toughest staff positions to fill," according to Sandra Miles, President and CEO of the Miles Employment Group. "They are not well paid, yet firms need someone who is polished, professional and client -oriented The tendency is to hire receptionists who see the position as a stepping stone.
Some of the best receptionists are from the tourism or hospitality sector - even retail experience is good -these are the people understand client serv" ICe.
Receptionists saddled with heavy administrative work push visitors' needs to second place. Sandra Miles agrees, "It's a common thread to throw too much on the receptionists - it detracts from client service. And sensitive information should not be on receptionists' desks."
A well-trained receptionist who sports a great attitude can do wonders for your relationship with clients and prospects. BT
Susan Van Dyke, Principal, Van Dyke Marketing &
Fun Run for the Legal Community
Designed with you in mind, the second annual Law Week Fun Run will take place at UBC on Sunday, April 10 at 10 a.m.
This is one of those rare events where the bench, bar, law school students, professors and everyone else in the legal community can come together to take part in a fun activity and support the B.C. Branch's Law Week events. Please see the related insert in this issue to register.
The Law Week Committee encourages all members of the legal community to bring their families along to enjoy the second annual Law Week Fun Run. The 2005 Fun Run will have two main routes on the UBC trails - a 10 km and a 5 km. At the finish line, youngsters may paint their own T-shirt and enjoy clowns, music, and food.
Murder on the Nile to Delight
Don ' t miss the fourth annual Lawyer Show: Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery Murder on the Nile. This co -presentation of the Arts Club Theatre Company and Touchstone Theatre stars the finest acting talents of Vancouver's legal community. The show plays March 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver. Call 604-687-1644 for tickets. Early bird tickets are just $65 (early bird deadline: February 18).
Law Firm Ski Championships
The B C Law Firm Ski Championships will take place Saturday, March 12 at the Pontiac Race Centre on Whistler Mountain. Open to .any judge, lawyer, law off ice employee or law student, this ' triple slalom team race and party gets the gang out of the office and onto the mountains for a day of action on the s lopes .
The race is open to teams of six, which must include at least one fema le racer and one racer over 40 years of age Four times count toward the team total, as follows:
• the fastest female's time;
• the fastest time of a person over 40 ; and
• two other fastest times
Event details are available online at www.whistlerblackcomb com/todo/ events/detail/lawyers.asp
To register your team, call Kara Krumhardt, Whistler Blackcomb Event Off ice Coordinator, 604-9052039.
LEAF Equality Breakfast
West Coast LEAF will host its 18th annual Equality Breakfast on Friday, March 4 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver.
The event keynote speaker will be Roberta Jamieson, former Chief of the Six Nations Band in Ontar io a n d internat ionally recognized expert in conflict resolution .
Tickets are available for $55 [$550 per table]. Event proceeds will support the legal and education work of West Coast LEAF. For details and tickets call 604-684-8772 [or e-mail breakfast @westcoastleaf. orgl. LEAF online: www@westcoastleaf.org
Lawyer Show performers J im Poyner and Karen Truscott, prepare for their roles in the March 11-12 showings of Agatha Ch r ist ie's Murder on the Nile.
Hoop law Set for SFU in March
What can be more enjoyable than playing the great game of basketball with your law colleagues? Perhaps knowing that you ' re also playing for a good cause.
The Hooplaw Charitable Foundation organizes its annual charity basketball tournament to raise money for local charities which assist underprivileged or disadvantaged children. Last year's tournament raised approximately $35,000!
This year's Hooplaw Charity Basketball Tournament is fast approaching and is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2005 at Simon Fraser University. Newcomers are welcome! To participate in the tournament, please call Peter Rubin 604-631-3315 (or e-mail peter.rubin @blakes .com).
Options for Lawyers Seminars
LEAF Conference
West Coast LEAF a nd the National Association of Women and the Law will host a national conference from April 28 to May 1 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel. The focus of the conference is the 20th anniversary of the equality rights provision (section 15) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The conference offers a unique opportunity to meet, strategize and share information with lawyers, community workers, activists and others from across the country on the impact the equality rights provision has had in Canada Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. Please visit www.equality conference .com for more information.
New Westminster/ Fraser Valley Bar Golf Tournament
Options for Lawyers Sem inars are held in Vancouver on the third Wednesday of every month. This networking, education and support group for lawyers is free for members of the
legal community. For assistance or information on meetings and resources call 604-685-2171 or toll free 1-888-685-2171. The LAP office is located at 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver
The Lawyers Assistance Program [LAP) provides confidentia l support, counselling and referrals for lawyers, their fam il ies, support staff, judges and students suffering from alcohol and/or chemica l dependency, stress, depression or just about any type of personal problem.
Members of the bar, judiciary, court reporters and their fr iends are in vit ed to participate in this annual tournament to be held on Thursday, July 7th at the Guildford Go lf Course in Surrey. Tee times start at 11 a m Texas Scramble is optional. There will be an even in g barbecue dinner Partial proceeds wil l be donated to the CBA Lawyers Benevolent Fund.
Fo r more information, contact Rick Molstad at 604-526-1821 .
February 17-20
March 3
March 4
March 5
March 8
March 11
April 8
April12
CBA National Mid-Winter Meeting (Charlottetown, PEl)
28th Annual Women & the Law Dinner (Law Courts Inn, Vancouver)
Provincial Council Meeting (Delta Airport Hotel , Richmond, 9:00 a.m.)
New Westminster Bar Annual President's Dinner (Westminster Club)
Executive Committee Meeting (CBABC Boardroom)
Executive Committee Meeting (CBABC Boardroom)
New Westminster Bar Association Meeting (Guest: Deputy Attorney Gen e ral
Allan Seckel , QC , Westminster Club)
February 2005 BARTALK 21
LAPBC
New Westminster Bar Association Festivities
CHRISTMAS PARTY
On December 10 , 2004, 67 members and guests attended the New Westminster Bar Association's gala Christmas party at Hart House in Burnaby Pre sident Kenneth Armstrong, Vice President Samantha Hulme and Secretary Treasurer Robert Gunnell presided over the celebration, which concluded with enthusiastic dancing. Generous door prizes were contributed by the Four Seasons Hotel, the Guildford Golf and Country Club, McQuarrie Hunter, Cassady & Company and Goodwin & Mark. Michael Woodward was the lucky recipient of the grand prize which was accommodation and a meal at the Vancouver Four Seasons Hotel.
ANNUAL JUDGES DINNER
The asso ciation 's annual dinner to honour new judge s
New Westminster Bar Executive Samantha Hulme [Vice-President). Kenneth Armstrong [President). and Robert Gunnell [Secretary-Treasurer] enjoy their local association's annual Christmas party
was held January 18th at the Inn at the Quay in New Westminster with 120 lawyers and judges in attend despite inclement weather. Supreme Court Justices David Brine, Barbara Fisher, Arne Si l verman, P Court Judges Gregory Bowden, Ellen Gordon, James Wingham and Supreme Court Master Peter were welcomed by the group .
Canadian Legal Conference: Volunteers Needed
Many volunteers are needed for this event, which this year comes to B.C. in August. For information on the benefits of sponsorship, call Kerry - Lynne Findlay at 604 - 609-3066 (kfindlay@wgmlaw.com) .
If you are available to help for a few hours or so, please co n tact Miranda Lam (mlam@davis.ca; 604687-9444) In particular, volunteers ar e needed for:
AT-HOME DINNERS - Host lawyers and spouses in your home for dinner and socializing on Saturday, August 13th. This is one of the highlight events of the conference; so don't miss your chance to participate! Call Barbara Sage at (barb.sage@ shaw.ca) for more information or to volunteer.
LAW FIRM RECEPTIONS occur on Monday, August 15th, in the afternoon. Perhaps your firm could sponsor a reception at the Art Gallery or the Terminal City Club? Call Ming Song at 604-8990224 (mingsong@novuscom.net) for more information or to volunteer.
22 BARTALK February 2005
Passages
The CBABC Equality Committee is saddened to report that NATASHA EDGAR passed away on December 31, 2004 Natasha overcame great obstacles to become a lawyer, after suffering a spinal cord injury at the age of 17 It was her desire to increase awareness amongst members of the profession by challenging misconceptions and removing obstacles to firms, courts and the justice system at large in regard to hiring lawyers with disabilities. Natasha was an inspirational addition to · the Equality Committee and will be greatly missed.
On December 7, in a special presentation by local MLA Sindi Hawkins, Kelowna lawyer KENNETH SARNECKI was presented with his QC designation from Attorney General Geoff Plant. Only a few weeks later, the legal profession said a final farewell to a much loved colleague Ken's involvement in the CBABC was extensive, rang i ng from Committee and Council work, to three terms on the Executive Committee, including as Vice President. His cheery presence and forthright approach to life and law will be sorely missed We send our condolences to his family.
Law Week 2005
Ambitious program ignites interest in annual event
Law Day celebrates the anniversary of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, each year with a different theme- the 2005 theme is "TV Lawyers: Fact or Fiction." In B. C., Law Day has expanded to a full week of activities. Events are often organized by lawyers in their local communities.
Open House on April 30
The Law Week Open House in Vancouver will be held at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street) on Saturday, April 30 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with keynote speakers stepping up to the podium at midday.
Members of the public are invited to participate in one -hour classes on topical areas of law and a "You Be the Judge" session. There will be displays by partners in the justice system, and likely a panel discussion on how the justice system works.
Dial-A-Lawyer
The CBA will hold its province-wide "Dial-ALawyer" program on April 30 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00p.m. During that time, members of the public are invited to call the Dia l-A-Lawyer numbers to speak with a lawyer about a legal prob lem for up to 15 minutes. The Dial-A-Lawyer numbers are 604687-3221 in the Lower Mainland, and toll-free in B.C. 1-800-663-1919
Student Contests
5k/10k Fun Run/Walk
Join us for the CBA's second annual Law Week Fun Run/ Walk. This event will take place on the UBC grounds on April 10 at 10:00 a.m. The entry fee is $25 per adult (children 14 and under enter for free). The route will be stroller and wheelchair accessib le. P lease see the related insert and register today!
Student Mentor Program
Th is pro g ram ha s bee n succ e s s ful for many years d ue to st ron g suppo rt f rom CBA m embers The pro gram matc hes s tud en t s with lawyers for a half - da y in th e lawyer's wo r kp lace S tu dents in Na na im o an d t h e Lower Ma in lan d w ill have the o pport un ity t o ex plore law a s a career opt ion .
PUBLIC SPEAKING: The annual Barry Su ll ivan Law Cu p pub li c s peak ing contest is open to students enrol led in Law 12 classes throughout B C The students will present thei r speec hes at t he Vancouver Law Courts on April 28 at 4:30 p.m. Interested pa rti e s are we lcome to listen to the speeches, whic h are general ly e nthus iast ical ly and thoughtfully prese nted.
VIDEO AND ESSAY: These two contests are o pen to senior stude nts throughout B.C. The winning essays a nd video [if possible) w ill be available on the CBABC website . Providi ng a new outlet to aspiring directors, the Law Week Committee added a video contest this year to replace the photo contest. Volunteers are · needed for the Open House, Run/Walk, and Dial-A-Lawyer Program. To lend a hand, please call Rose at 604-6873404, ext. 313 [rfa bbro @bccba .org ].
Bar Moves 71
Have you recently changed firms or opened a new firm? Send submissions [maximum 25 words] to Bar Moves at cba@bccba.org
ADRIAN DENEGAR opened his "Trafficlawyer" law practice in Victoria in August 2004. A former traffic prosecutor from Manitoba, his law firm serves clients in Motor Vehicle Act defence work in Victoria and Vancouver.
CHRISTOPHER DEVLIN and JOHN GAlLUS have left Woodward and Company to form the firm of Devlin Gailus in Victoria, focusing on Aboriginal law.
LORNE HERLIN has left the litigation branch of the British Columbia Securities Commission to join the Vancouver office of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada.
MANDY JAVAHERY has left Venture Law Corporation to join Synergy Business Lawyers as an associate where she will practise corporate commercial la'w.
GA URAV PARMAR has joined the law firm of Heather Sadler Jenkins in Prince George. He practises in the areas of commercial, corporate and forestry law.
SUZANNE SHEENA has moved from Kane, Shannon & Weiler to practise corporate/commercial and general civil litigation at Taylor Sourisseau Mazzone Tatchell.
Lawyer Climbs Mountain For Alzheimer Society
Out-of-office messages are usually plain fare, but this message caught the attention of BarTalk: "As I am climbing Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., I will be out of the office unt il January 17, 2005 ...... The message was from Dale Rondeau, of Thomas Rondeau in Vancouver, who did indeed scale a mountain in South America during his winter holiday.
This was actually Dale's second charitable climb; in 2001 he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Alzheimer Society's annual "Ascent for Alzheimer's." Between the two treks, Dale, with the help of friends and clients, has raised more than $25,000 for the Alzheimer Society. Bravo Dale!
QC Appointments
Congratulations to the following lawyers who received the QC designation in December 2004:
Mark D. Andrews
Robert C. Brun
Elisabeth A. Burgess
D. Ross Clark
Brian Coleman
Wendy Elizabeth Dawson
William F. Dickson
Robin M. Elliot
David C. Harris
John Wellesly Hogg
Richard Henry Jensen
Clarence B. (Cal) Johnson
Jeffrey J. Kay
William Knutson
Derek LaCroix
Bruce Austin Laughton
James M. Lepp
Dinyar Marzban
James Kenneth McEwan
D. Paul Nixon
Darrell John O'Byrne
Vincent Orchard
Henry J. (Hank) Reiner
Donald H. Risk
Kenneth Sarnecki
Grant C. Taylor
Henry Vlug
Peter George Voith
Mary Anne Waldron
Paul Wylie Walker
Golf B.C. Whistler Blackcomb
CBABC Member Services still has a limited quantity of adult tickets for sale for $60 [plus tax). See www.cba.org/bc for details and order form.
Making Booking Hotels Easy
MeetingMax online bookings help you save time & money
The CBABC is proud to announce the spring launch of a membership service that will allow you to conveniently, quickly and cheaply access all of its current hotels online. The CBABC's new online hotel booking service gives members the opportunity for even greater hotel savings!
With help from our new member service supplier, MeetingMax Inc., all CBABC members will have access to the service through our redesigned branch website. Once in the main body of the CBABC website, CBA members will be able to book rooms at all CBA preferred hotels at their convenience. The custom web design will make accommodation arrangements very simple and efficient and allow you to see the hotel you will be booking along with other pertinent hotel and area information . MeetingMax is familiar with venues and hotels all over North America and is constantly expanding its services. They are continually updating the CBABC's list of contacts and inspecting locations to be sure that we are current, so that you don ' t have to be. The CBABC looks forward to introducing this new service to its members and hopes to provide great value for years to come!
For details, visit www.cba.org/bc (see "Member Savings" under "Membership").
Sign Up for News and Lunch
If you sign up for the member services e-mail list this month, you'll receive a personalized Corporate Lunch Card for Doolin's Irish Pub. Doolin's is minutes from the Vancouver Courthouse
Send your name and e -mail address to member_ services@bccba.org to receive 25 per cent off all your future lunch purchases AND be informed of all CBABC special promotions, such as Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.
Look inside this issue of BarTalk for a registration sheet for a free Golf B.C. exclusive member benefits card. After receiving this card enjoy a free Golf B.C. Rewards Card, 500 comp l imentary Golf B.C. Reward Points (redeemable for rounds of Go lf at nine different courses) and a free subscription to Golf B.C. eNews! Take advantage of this l imited time offer (expires June 30, 2005) and begin saving immediately . No membership dues or renewal fees, just 500 free rewards points redeemable at some of B.C.'s top golfing destinations.
Terminal City Club Exclusive Offer to CBABC Members
The Terminal City Club extends to all CBABC members a unique opportunity to join one of Vancouver's most prestigious social clubs. Until April 15, 2005, CBA members can pay an outstanding one-time entrance fee of $3,750 !5'0 per cent savings) to join the Terminal City Club. Monthly dues are $160 [as of January 1); minimum quarterly food commitment is $75. For CBABC members not residing in the Lower Mainland the membership fee is reduced to $1,875 with annual dues of $930 and no quarterly food minimum. Terminal City Club membership offers the following benefits:
• Affiliation with more than 150 of the world's most renowned clubs
• Four-Star Tower Hotel
• Fitness centre with squash courts, steam rooms, spa, and a 25m indoor lap pool
• The finest billiards room in Canada
• Formal and informal dining
Call Hal Ruppe at the Terminal City Club for further details, 604-681-2141.
CLE Update
• The Continuing
Society of British Columbia CLASS ACTIONS IN B.C.:
10TH ANNIVERSARY
On February 25, 2005, CLE will mark 10 years of the Class Proceedings Act with the course Class Actions: lOth Anniversary Platinum Edition Collectors' CLE. Course chair Ward Branch , of Branch MacMaster, a panel of experienced li tigators and judges will review the impact of class actions on the legal landscape. T will provide strategic guidance and practical tips on working through the life cycle of a class action: from id tifying cases appropriate for a class action to taking the case to trial. Topics of special interest include part ing arrangements between firms working on class actions, arbitration clauses, industry class actions, and dement structures.
CLE COURSES
Business Basics Workshop #1: Business Establishment & Financing, February 24, Vancouver Class Actions: The lOth Anniversary Platinum Edition Collectors ' CLE, February 25, Vancouver The New Administrative Tribunals Act, March 3, Vancouver Business Basics Workshop #2: Buying and Selling a Business, March 10, Vancouver Business Basics Workshop #3: Shareholder Agreements, March 24, Vancouver
Practice Directions
LawSource Available in the Vancouver Courthouse Library
BCCLS has negotiated a new contract with Carswell to enable the Society to provide free access to LawSource on any of the 14 public access computers in the Vancouver Courthouse Library. This service became availab le on February 1, 2005 LawSource has been available in all other courthouse libraries with computers since April, 2004.
Training sessions are being provided during February in the Vancouver Courthouse Library. Notice of the training sessions is posted on the BCCLS website and in the Vancouver Courthouse Library. Training is free but p lease register in advance. For more information or to register for a training session, please ask at the reference desk, or phone 604-660 - 2841 (e-mail bccls@bccls.bc.ca).
BCCLS courses can be listed as professional development in completing your annual report to the Law Society. A LawSource training session IS one hour of structured coursework.
AFFIDAVITS
November 22, 2004- Some concern has bee n expresse d wit h respect to affidavits that have been filed where it is impossible to identify the commissioner before whom the affidavit has been sworn. When a commissioner applies only his or her s ignature to the jurat, there is no means of clearly identify ing the commissioner should a que tion arise about the circums t ances under which th aff idavit was sworn Many commissioners apply a stamp below t he ir signatures which indicates their name a nd co ntact in formation. This practice is encouraged .
Effectively immediately, affidavits prepared for fi ling in Sup reme Court must include the name, leg ibly typed or w r itten, of the commissioner befor whom the affidavit was sworn as part of the jurat i addition to the signature.
STANDARD DIRECTIONS FOR SMALL CLAIM APPEALS
November 22, 2004- Th is Practice Direction replaces that issued on August 11, 1997 The Practice Direction is available at www.courts.gov.bc ca/sc.
Dial-A-Law
Available in English, Punjabi and Chinese
Dia l -A-Law is a 128-script l ibrary that addresses a wide range of legal issues. Scripts are available by te l ephone and online [www.cba.org/bc]. Last year more than 60,400 people accessed the service, which is available in English, Punjabi and Chinese. Sets of scr i pts are available for purchase, providing current general informati on on various legal topics
Dial-A-Law is funded by the Law Foundat ion of B.C. and administered by the Canadian Bar Assoc iation, B C. Branch
Service of Documents on the Federal Crown
Q : W here should I serve originating documen t s on the Federal Crown i n cities without a regional office?
A: Proceedings against the Federa l Crown in a provincial superior court are governed by the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act and its Regulations Pursuant to section 4 of the Regulations, originating documents are serve d on the Federal Crown by serving the Depu t y Attorney General at t h e office of t he Deputy Attorneoy General in Ottawa or, for B.C , by serving the Senior Regional Director of t he Department of Justice s B C Regiona l Office [D epartme nt of Justice Canada, B C,. Regiona l Office , 900-840 Howe Street, Vancouver, B C V6Z 2S9 Tel : 604-666-20611.
In t he Federal Court of Canada or the Federal Co u rt of Appea l , Ru le 133 of the Federa l Court Rules [1998) provides that persona l of an originating document on the Crown , the Attorney Genera l of Canada or any other minister of the Crown is effected by f iling of the or i ginating doc u ment a n d two copies of it in t h e Federal Court Registry
Law Courts Education Society's 15th Anniversary
The Law Courts Education Society of B .C. celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Law Courts Inn on Ja nu a ry 18th. Frits Ve rhoeven spoke on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association, one of the Societ y's eight appointing organiz a tions.
The Honourable Ste phen Owen, QC g a ve a keynot e address, sa ying , "The justice system as a mediator of conflict has to be seen a s redressing imbalances of pow e r."
Guests stood to honour the late Aric Hayes , beloved teacher and volunteer, as his mother, Aleta Wallace , accepted the Hughes Award for Access to Justice on his behalf.
A silent auction raised mor e than $2 , 600 for courthouse programs. The Law Courts Education Society thanks its friends, donors a nd partners for their ongoing support.
Mr. Justice W i ll iamson presents the Hughes Award; Aleta Wallace accepts on behalf of the late Ar i c Hayes
PRACTICES FOR SALE
So le practitioner's genera l law practice Prime White Rock locat ion For more information call Bl a ke Scott at 60 4-538-7 074 or e- mail blakescott@shaw ca
SERVICES
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY : L et us ass ist yo u in providing protection for you r clients. Doug las B Th ompso n L aw Co rpor at ionRegistered Patent Age n t, Registered Trade Mark Age nt Pr actise restricted to Intell ec tu al Property. Vi ctor ia, B C E-ma il : doug@BCpatents.ca (www.B Cpatents.ca)
Free on lin e h ea lthcar e pro dir ecto rie s: www bcph ys io org (click " Find a Physio") and www.massagethe rapy bc.ca
VACATION PROPERTY
Advertising
CLASSIFIED AD RATES
CBABC Members/Firms $25 per line
Commercial Organizations $40 per line
NEXT DEADLINE: March 11
DISPLAY AD RATES 3 X 2 5
CBABC Members/Firms
Commercial Organizations 1/3 Page
CBABC Members/Firms
Commercial Organizations
NEXT DEADLINE: March 11
CBABC
: March
MA ILING: AprilS A CBABC member firm is def ined as a firm in which 50 per cent or more of la wyers are CBABC members
Direct BarTalk advert is ing inquiries to : Sandra Webb , BarTalk Editor Tel: 604-646-7856
Toll free: 1-888-687-34 04 , ext. 318 E-mail: cba @bc c ba .org
SAN JOSE DEL CABO Co nd o renta l, o n beac h, $550 U S. per week. Ca ll 250-338-6744 AT ODDS W ITH OPPOS I NG COUNSEL? T he Member Dispute Resolution Service d el ivers ed ucat io n & coac hing co nfli ct/d ispute resolution serv ices lawyers wit h conflicts/d ispu tes w ith oth er lawye rs or staff Call6 04-646-7864 o r vis it www.c ba org/bc (un der " Practice Resources " )
SHIELDS HARNEY
LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RES OLUTION
Shields Harney is a progressive commercia l law firm w ith offic es and lawye r s in Vancouver and Victoria. Shields Harney provides legal se r vices to a ran ge of rep uta bl e and esta bli shed loca l, provincial and nation al businesses and o rgan izat io ns. The firm see k s two recently ca lled lawye rs to join a nd g row w ith o ur tea m , based out of Victoria, but wi th the a bility and inclination to tra vel frequently to Vancouver. Compen sat ion w ill be very compet iti ve w ith substantial performance in ce nti ves The pr actice area is primarily co mm e rcial liti ga ti on , wi th some potentia l to do a sm a ll er compo nent of cor po rate/commerc ial wo rk compl im enta r y to th e commercia l litigation (i.e , fr anc hi sing, leas in g, commerc ial ag ree m ents) Respond to Greg Harney (g ha rn ey@s hield sha rn ey .com )
6th Fir, 844 Cou rtn ey St., Victoria, V8W IC4 F: 250-405-76 19 9th Fir, 1285 W. Pender St , Vancouver, V6E 481 F : 60 4-682- 1822 www.shieldsharney co m
Practice Restricted To WCB
Sec 257 Determinations , Opinions and Court Applications on referral .-----604-267-3033------,
• Claims and appeals
• Vice Chair at Review Board for 6 years
• More than 25 years personal injury litigation
Barrister & So l icitor
Cell 604-868-3034 Fax 604-264-6133 vishkanian@ pepito. ca
You are invited to participate in this service.
WHAT IS IT? Th e L awye r Referral Service (the "Ser vice ") is an initi a tive which enables members of the public to a ccess lawye r s practising in the field of law r equir ed for their pa rticul a r situation, and provides the opportunity to have an initial consu ltation with a law ye r for up to 30 minutes for $25 plus ta xes
After th e consultation, th e fees t o be 'charged a re strictly betw ee n the lawyer a nd th e client. The lawyer is n o t obli ge d to accept the app lic ant 's ca se a nd th e app licant is under n o obligation to retain the lawy e r.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? The free Service can introduc e yo u to potential cli ents
HOW DO I SI GN UP? A regi stration form is posted at www.cba.org/bc in th e "Initi atives" area for CBA memb e r s. Lawy e rs who a re not CBA m em be r s may r equest a form by calling the numb e r be low
FOR MORE I NFORMATION, CONTACT: Lorna O'Grady, Lawyer Referral Superv i sor
