BarTalk February 2001
Volume 13, Number 1

“Winning Advocacy” President’s Forum

On Friday, January 19, 2001, a packed audience of lawyers spent five hours discussing the challenges and successes of dealing with cross-cultural issues in the office, courtroom, and tribunal hearings in the CBABC’s fifth President’s Forum.

The event kicked off with an energetic and thought-provoking presentation by cross cultural consultant Laraine Kaminsky from Ottawa, followed by presentations and panels on working with interpreters and a special judicial panel featuring Mr. Justice Wally Oppal and Judge Shehni Dossa. The day ended with mock hearings in criminal, family and personal injury settings, and a thoughtful synopsis by Ms. Kaminsky.

President Margaret Ostrowski, QC commended the President’s Forum Organizing Committee, including Chair Catherine Sas, Valli Chettiar, Ed Macauley, and Judge Shehni Dossa.

Benevolent Fund Society Hosts Gala Fundraiser

You’re invited to join the Benevolent Fund Gala for its second exciting year.

Last year’s Gala at the Vancouver Art Gallery featured special guest Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin, a Murder Mystery and Trial, and net proceeds of approximately $6,000. This year’s Gala will showcase an evening of glamour and entertainment, including a “Dance Through the Decades” with The Timebenders band, and a fashion auction featuring Canadian designers Ron et Norman, Ric Yuenn, Patricia Fieldwalker, Ron Leal, Neto Leather, Catherine Regher, Faisal Virani, Jacqueline Conoir, Frou-frou, Christine, Avantgarde Hair Studio and others. Two fabulous events in one exclusive evening of glitz and fun for lawyers, judges, family and friends.

All proceeds benefit the Benevolent Fund Society, created “by lawyers, for lawyers” to assist colleagues in distress and their families. The Law Society approved a special levy of $100 per member to establish a capital fund of approximately $1 million. Interest from the capital fund is used to assist applicants to the Benevolent Fund Society Board. All Gala Fundraiser profits go directly toward increasing the capital fund.

Tickets for the 2001 Gala are $200 per person and can be ordered through the CBABC Office at 1.888.687.3404.

CCCA National Spring Conference

The Canadian Corporate Counsel Association will hold its National Spring Conference on April 23-24, 2001 at the Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria. The conference will provide practical insight and the latest strategies for managing ethical responsibilities and balancing the conflicting expectations inherent in the work of corporate counsel. Speakers include:

• William Neukom, Microsoft Corp.

• Noordin S.K. Nanji, Ballard Power Systems Inc.

• Michael Roster, Golden West Financial Corp.

• Alex Shorten, Weyerhaeuser Company

• Annelle Wilkins, HSBC Bank Canada

• William Lytton, International Paper

PLUS: Arrive in Victoria early and participate in The Counsel Network Golf Tournament, to be held at Olympic View Golf Club on Sunday, April 22.

For more information contact the CCCA at 416.869.0522 (email ccca@cbao.org) or visit www.cancorpcounsel.org.

Elder Law Symposium - April 18-21, 2001

The American organization NAELA – the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys – is coming north to Vancouver for its 13th Annual Symposium at the Hyatt Regency.

The CBABC Task Force on Law and the Elderly will be hosting a one-day Canadian precursor to the event, on April 17. Combine the two events and learn more about elder law and its implications for your practice. Contact the CBABC at 1.888.687.3404 to find out more.

Grouse Grind Challenge!

Calling all lawyers...the Law Day Lawyers Charity Grind will be held on Sunday April 29, 2001. Here’s your chance to show which lawyer and/or law firm team has the most of whatever it takes to reach the top ahead of the pack. Strut your stuff in this high profile media event, while raising money to help street kids. Register now to guarantee your place in the race, with prizes for speed, age, total sponsorship dollars raised, and best performing law firm. Get a Charity Grind entry form from the CBABC office at 604.687.3404, or download it from the Web (www.bccba.org). Volunteers to help out are also welcome - call Monty Carstairs at 604.775.0979.

UBC Law Alumni Association

The UBC Law Alumni Association is pleased to feature The Honorable Allan McEachern, Chief Justice of BC at its March Speakers Breakfast. The Chief Justice will speak on “Unfinished Business” on Tuesday, March 8, 2001 at 7:30 a.m. at the Terminal City Club.

To reserve your seat send a cheque for $35 to UBC Law Alumni Association, c/o Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, 2100 – 1075 W Georgia Street, Vancouver BC, V6E 2G2, attention Shannon Borsoff. Tel: 604.631.3277.

IRNC Contacts

The IRNC meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm at the offices of Heenan Blaikie, 2200 - 1055 W Hastings Street, Vancouver. For meeting information call James Tate at 604.891.1190 (email: JTate@Heenan.ca). For all other inquiries, including text donations, contact Elizabeth Campbell at 604.660.4353, or fax 604.660.4347 (email: elizabeth.campbell@ag.gov.bc.ca).

Law Office Expo

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) “Law Office EXPO, Management and Technology Institute” will be held in Seattle on March 2. Program sessions include:

• Protecting Security and Confidentiality of Electronic Data: High Speed Access, DSL, Physical Electronic Security and More

• Drafting Bills Clients Want to Pay – Adjustments for Value and Other Creative Accounts Receivable Solutions

• 25 Small Firm Technology Tips You Can Start Using Now!

• Voice Technology and the Law Firm Environment

• How to Mentor/Jump Start New Associates: Avoid Unnecessary Turnover and Help Your Associates with Their Firm/Partnership Growth

For more information call John Redenbaugh, Associate Director of CLE, WSBA at 206.727.8221 or email johnr@wsba.org.

Techshow 2001

The three-day ABA Techshow 2001 is the showcase of the ABA’s Law Practice Management Section. It will be held March 15-18, 2001 in Chicago. Visit www.techshow.com for program information.

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