BarTalk August 2001
Volume 13, Number 4

Incoming National President Sets Focus

Eric Rice QC, of Vancouver, has been a lawyer – a litigator – for more than 25 years. As he steps up to take on the role of National CBA President, he plans to focus on the professional development of lawyers and to promote a better legal system. “It is because of great lawyering and great judging over the years that we have the common law and the rule of law and many of the freedoms that people enjoy today,” says Eric Rice. “The CBA is here to help represent the profession and provide services and benefits. But most importantly, to help lawyers make themselves better lawyers.”

During his tenure, Mr. Rice will focus on a number of areas: networking and mentoring opportunities, lifelong learning by lawyers, applying technology as a resource, providing a climate for diversity and positioning the legal profession for the future.

Currently with the firm of Campbell Froh May & Rice in Richmond, Mr. Rice handles a wide variety of commercial disputes. He has served on the boards of several charities and sports clubs and was a governor of the BC Law Foundation.

A strong voice for the CBA in BC, Mr. Rice was the BC Branch President in 1995. He chaired a number of Branch committees including Member Services, Priorities and Planning and Multicultural. He has also served on National Committees, including, most notably, the National Board of Directors.

Wanted: Lawyers With Legal Aid Stories

The National CBA is seeking to publicize the human costs of underfunding of legal aid. If you have a story to share, please email the details to legal.aid.watch@cba.org, with due respect to client confidentiality. Your story will help us prove the case to the federal and provincial governments of Canada, that adequate legal aid funding is an essential requirement to provide equal access to justice for all.

Are you a general practitioner? Do you practice solo or in a small firm?

If so, the CBA wants to know more about you. Complete the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Conference’s (formerly the General Practitioners Conference) latest eSurvey at www.cba.org. From pre-paid legal services to ethics and globalization issues, the survey covers important issues that are unique to your situation. Your input and suggestions are crucial so we can better serve you.

These articles were published in the August 2001 issue of BarTalk and are subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2005, all rights reserved.