CBA News | April 2017

  • May 09, 2017

SPOTLIGHT ON LEGAL HEALTH CHECKS

Legal Health Checks

This is the fourth year for our popular legal health checks, an initiative that grew out of the 2013 Reaching Equal Justice report. This year we’ll be launching nine new cards on Law Day, April 19.

Read on for details.


CBA Influence

CBA Influence image

In case you missed it – Check out the latest issue of CBA Influence, a monthly newsletter with blog posts about CBA initiatives, submissions, interventions and comments on public policy. Combined with Focus on Parliament, with links to information about government legislative, regulatory and policy changes, this newsletter provides a 360-degree look at both our current advocacy work, and opportunities for the CBA to get involved.


HAVE YOUR SAY

Federal Budget 2017

In the recent federal budget, the government announced its proposal to eliminate billed-basis accounting for income-tax purposes. Billed-basis accounting means you aren’t taxed on your work-in-progress – you only pay tax on what you bill.

The CBA is working to persuade the government that this move is not in Canadians’ best interests. To do so we need to hear from you: How will this measure affect your clients and your ability to take on certain cases? What will it mean for those with legal issues and little money? Please send your responses to budget2017@cba.org.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS

Board of Directors Elections

Voting has started on the CBA’s new-look Board of Directors, a skills-based panel of 14 members from across the country, representing the diversity of the legal profession in Canada. Read on for details about the slate.


SAVE THE TREES! CBA JOINS PAPERLESS BILLING REVOLUTION

Paperless Billing

You should have by now received an email asking whether you would like to switch to paperless billing. If you’re not one of the 7,000 people who’s switched over, and you’re still wondering whether you should, read on for details about the process.


SUCCESSFUL PARENTING TOOLKIT COMING THIS SPRING

Successfully Parenting Apert Toolkit

The CBA National Family Law Section has gathered a number of on- and off-line resources into a toolkit that will help lawyers better help clients who are trying to remain good parents while navigating their way through separation and divorce. Read on for details.


COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES TOOLKIT

Collateral Consequences

The CBA National Criminal Justice Section launched its Collateral Consequences toolkit, which walks lawyers through the “collateral consequences” of a criminal charge and/or sentence for their clients, at the Section’s annual conference in April. Check the website for details.


WHAT’S NEW WITH CBA INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES?

International Initiatives

A new five-year project begins in East Africa; the CBA Young Lawyers International Program wraps another successful year; the National Legislative Project in Vietnam is coming to the end of Phase 2; and in Ukraine we’re entering Phase 2 of an agreement to provide technical support to a legal aid project. Read on for details.


SECURITY SCREENING NOW PART OF YOUR DAY IN FEDERAL OR TAX COURT

Security Screening

The Courts Administration Services announced new screening protocols for lawyers and others coming into the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. Read on for details.


LAW IN THE NEWS ON NATIONALMAGAZINE.CA

CBA National Magazine

CBA National covers the latest trends and developments affecting the legal profession and the practice of law, as well as the latest news regarding the association and its activities. Read on for some recent highlights.


IBA SURVEY – WHY DO WOMEN LEAVE THE PROFESSION?

IBA

The International Bar Association is looking for lawyers to participate in a survey that is trying to get to the bottom of why women everywhere are leaving the profession. Men and women both are being invited to weigh in. Read on for details.


SECTIONS & FORUMS NEWS: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Call for nominations

Nominations are still being accepted for the National Sections Council Award of Excellence, the Cecilia I. Johnstone Award, and the Honourable Walter S. Tarnopolsky Award. Read on for details.


LAW STUDENTS: ENTER A CBA CONNECT ESSAY CONTEST TODAY!

CBA Essay Contests

The Canadian Bar Association’s Essay Contests can help you build your profile within the legal community, connect with senior members of the bar, and hone your research and writing skills. Read on for details.


LEARN TODAY, LEAD TOMORROW. YOUR CIC.C DESIGNATION AWAITS

CIC.C

The Canadian Corporate Counsel Association is pleased to announce that 120 individuals across the country have now received their Certified In-House Counsel – Canada designation. Are you ready to join their ranks and jumpstart your career? Read on for details.


CBA IP DAY – MAY 11 IN OTTAWA

IP Day

Don’t miss the premier networking, educational and social event for IP lawyers across Canada, from the networking breakfast to the Federal Courts Town Hall, to the IP Day Panels and concluding with the Federal Court Judges’ Dinner. Read on for details.


2017 CONFERENCES

CBA logo

Does your Section have a conference in the coming months? Read on to find out.


Member Benefits


STAGE2DATA

Ransomware.  It's a growing and real threat. Your CBA preferred cloud solution provider offers managed ransomware and disaster recovery in the cloud that gets you prepared. Call Stage2Data at 855-430-0866 x3355 or email don.purchase@stage2data.com, ask about their limited time offer of up to $1100 in cloud credits.

ERASSURE

Crazy son-in-law. Unexpected creditor. Dependent relief. Bankrupt estate. Joint Accounts. Ex-spouses. Dementia. You thought you knew your client when you prepared the will. Their executor needs estate administration insurance - for the things you don't know.

LENOVO

Streamlined Productivity and Durability – On the Go. Move from desk to meetings and elsewhere, while staying productive throughout the business day. Don’t settle, you need a device as flexible and bold as you are; Lenovo provides you with the right equipment. Shop sales now while supplies last!

CANADIAN BAR INSURANCE ASSOCIATION (CBIA)

Providing expert advice along with high quality insurance and financial products at low rates for members of the legal profession, their families and staff is what we do! Our comprehensive insurance and financial offerings include: life, health, disability, critical illness, home and auto, and travel insurance, as well as RRSPs, TFSAs, group retirement plans for law firms, and more. Call 1‑800‑267‑2242 or visit www.barinsurance.com.

FIRST DATA

First Data has recently helped a CBA member save $22,000 per year by doing a Free Cost Analysis regarding their merchant services.

To see how much you can save, email First Data 1 copy of your merchant statement to cba@firstdata.com.

Set aside 5 minutes and take advantage of your membership with the CBA!


Editor: Kim Covert

Production: Rose Wilson