BarTalk April 2005
Volume 17, Number 2

Online access to services, tools and resources

by Patricia Jordan

The Practice Resources area of the site contains a wealth of information for CBABC members. Here is a brief introduction to some of the resources accessible online.

Practice Advisory Panels
Practice Advisory Panels are listings of senior practitioners who volunteer to assist other lawyers seeking advice on a particular aspect of the law, in order to best serve their clients. There is no expectation of referral, nor any monetary compensation involved. The Advisory Panel member has usually practised for more than 10 years, and is generally experienced enough in his/her particular area of law as to be capable of making a CLE presentation on the subject.

PracticeLink
PracticeLink is a national award-winning online collection of practical articles, tools, and tips on law practice management. Areas of interest include balancing work and life, client services, marketing tips, money and finances, starting out, technology and your practice, trends and ideas, and working with people. Recent articles include:

• Plain Language Legal Writing: Part II – Writing to Be Understood

• Secrets Revealed: 95 Tips on Becoming a Better Lawyer

• Marketing Matters: Branding Your Law Firm

Member Dispute Resolution Service
If you have a conflict with another lawyer or staff, and you want outside help to resolve it, try the CBA Member Dispute Resolution Service. Lawyer volunteers are available on a confidential basis to help resolve disputes that are not reportable Law Society matters.

CBABC Section Listservs
Section listservs are available through e-mail and are a convenient way for CBA members to share information. To join, please e-mail webmaster@bccba.org.

Information Kits and Standard Forms
Real estate standard forms (contract of purchase and sale and standard undertakings) are in this area. Along with these forms is a growing online collection of information kits including work-life balance, client care, lawyers for literacy and media tips. VALA surveys and the CBA/CICA joint policy statement on audit enquiry and response are also found here.

Professional Development
Gain insight and keep up to date through the programs of CBA national and the CLE Society of B.C.

Legal Careers
If you’re looking to hire or be hired, be sure to bookmark this page! It has job and volunteer listings, including BarTalk classified ads. Headhunt.com, the website of the Counsel Network (a CBA preferred supplier), is also linked and offers free resumé and job posting services to CBA members.

B.C. Legal Community
This area contains notices from government and the Supreme and Provincial Courts of B.C., and maps for B.C. land title districts, court bailiff areas and court locations. You’ll also find BarTalk ads for job postings, legal services, practices for sale, and more.

Patricia Jordan is the CBABC Manager, Interactive Media. She welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions. Tel: 604-646-7861, Email: pjordan@bccba.org

This article was published in the April 2005 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2005, all rights reserved.