BarTalk April 2000
Volume 12, Number 2

Report from the Chair

by Terry La Liberté QC

A few years ago, the idea of forming a Fund to assist lawyers who were down on their luck resurfaced at the urging of Al Bates, QC (God rest his soul) and a few of our colleagues who had been helping others more or less on their own in their counties. I was asked to put together such a group with Gary Cohen, QC (as he then was) on behalf of the CBA. We were jump-started by a gift from the Kootenay Bar Association. It seems they had raised several thousand dollars to assist one of their members, and as is usually the case in our profession, the generosity of donations exceeded the money required. The BC Branch sponsored our incorporation and has continued to assist in offering staff and resources to keep our administrative costs negligible.

We had no difficulty in gathering together lawyers who shared our concerns and enthusiasm for the project. I asked a cross-section of prominent lawyers from around BC to assist, and all accepted (see side column).

Two years ago we were pleased with the response we received to our request for funds from the members of the Law Society. The initial $20 assessment passed at the Annual meeting and was followed the next year by an $80 assessment. This brought our capital account to slightly less than $1,000,000. These monies are kept in reserve and we only use the interest, except in extreme circumstances. While we are pleased with accumulating this nest egg so quickly we consider it, however, but a good start. We ask all lawyers to consider the Benevolent Fund as a worthy focus for fund raising efforts. Last year, the Vancouver Bar Association supported us at their annual Golf Tournament raising around $15,000 in an afternoon. Recently we directed monies raised through the Fund to assist a colleague’s family in their time of grief. I don’t intend to list the many gifts, loans and financial assistance the Fund has provided except to say that we have expended several thousand dollars to date and would like to be in a position to assist all who are referred to us. To do that, we require your ongoing support.

You have probably received an application form for an MBNA MasterCard Affinity Card. We would encourage you to apply and use it. Every purchase returns money to us. About 45 members signed up immediately and within 4 months we’ve already received around $400. Not a large amount, true, but it could be significant if more of us participate.

I would also invite each of you to the first Annual Benevolent Fund Gala at the Vancouver Art Gallery on April 28, 2000 (see BarTalk insert). It will be a Murder Mystery and Trial presided over by special guest Madam Justice Beverly McLachlin. We hope to make this event a tradition. It is an opportunity for us to participate in helping our less fortunate colleagues and their families and to maintain the collegiality by which our BC Bar is known.

Terry La Liberté QC is the chair of the Benevolent Fund Society.

This article was published in the April 2000 issue of BarTalk.