CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

David J. Bilinsky — Practice Management Advisor, Law Society of BC, Vancouver

Planning for Retirement

• how to plan to retire
• setting goals
• creating a nest egg
• divesting yourself of your practice
• managing clients and client records
• services of the Law Society of BC
• managing the risk of death and disability

Robin W. Adolphe (ret.) — Adolphe & Company, Penticton
Graeme V.R. Keirstead — Manager, Special Fund and Custodianships, Law Society of BC, Vancouver

Networking Break

Valuation, Earn-outs, and Buy-outs of a Law Practice: Structuring the Deal

• how to value your practice
• advantages and disadvantages of earn-outs and buy-outs
• ways to transfer over a practice
• legal and financial issues involved in a transfer

Nisson M. Goldman — Goldman Zimmer Bray, Vancouver
Andrew F. Schroeder, CA — Schroeder and Associates, Chartered Accountants, Vancouver

Networking Break

Tax and Accounting Issues in Succession Planning

• what are the issues in selling, closing, or transferring a law practice?
• tax planning for an untimely death
• tax planning for transfers to family beneficiaries
• steps that you should be taking now
• tax and accounting issues arising on retirement

David G. Thompson — Thorsteinssons LLP, Vancouver

Lunch with Featured Speaker: CBIA’s Role in Financial Planning

• CBIA’s available products
• selecting the most effective insurance
• example of an insurance funded succession plan
• the role of investment in a succession plan

Brook D. Kearns, BA, CFP — Mass and Company Financial Planning Inc., Richmond 

Recent Developments in Law Firm Management: How to Think Big

• moving from the beneficial despot model to professional administration
• benefits of bringing in an office administrator
• tasks to delegate to an office administrator and staff
• financial, management, organizational, and personal issues around introducing professional management into a smaller firm

Colleen Chapman — Administrator, Brawn Karras & Sanderson, Surrey
Kim A. Karras — Brawn Karras & Sanderson, Surrey
John Smiley, FCA — Wolrige Mahon LLP, Chartered Accountants, Vancouver
J. Robert Waterman — Director of Administration, Richards Buell Sutton LLP,  Vancouver

Networking Break

Recent Developments in Law Office Technology and Marketing

• the latest tips, issues, and ideas in technology for marketing
• social media such as Facebook and Twitter
• to blog or not to blog
• the latest and greatest in law office management

David J. Bilinsky — Practice Management Advisor, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Doug Jasinski — Agency Principal, Skunkworks Creative Group Inc., Vancouver

Networking Break

Overview of Small Firm Trips, Traps, and Scams

• avoiding frauds, scams, and traps
• protecting yourself from malpractice claims

Felicia Ciolfitto — Trust Assurance Department, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Margrett M.S. George — Lawyers Insurance Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver

Closing Remarks

David J. Bilinsky — Practice Management Advisor, Law Society of BC, Vancouver