Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors 2024
Course Date: December 9, 2024
Total: 5h 47min
Total Ethics: 5h 35min
Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors 2024
Course Date: December 9, 2024
Total: 5h 47min
Total Ethics: 5h 35min
Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:05)
Teresa Sheward — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam
Managing Staff: Best Practices (9:05 – 9:20)
- A Q+A on
- hiring staff
- training staff
- retaining staff
- HR issues
- post-COVID workplace environment
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Retaining Good Lawyers: Why Do Employees Leave/Why Do Employees Stay (9:20 – 9:40)
- location: attracting and retaining lawyers in smaller communities
- compensation
- stress and burnout/happiness and wellbeing (i.e., work-life balance or harmony)
- management issues
- opportunities/lack of opportunities for career growth
- community, firm culture and values
Guyle Clark — Clark Woods LLP, Coquitlam
Accreditation of Lawyers (9:40 – 10:00)
- lawyers trained outside of Canada: qualifying for bar admission
- programs in Canadian common law jurisdictions
- National Committee of Accreditation: process, timelines, and pathways
- immigration status: hand-in-hand with the accreditation process
Karanbir Thind — Clark Woods LLP, Coquitlam
The Lawyer as Small Business Owner (10:00 – 10:20)
- corporate records
- general pricing points for fees for services
- corporate commercial, business sector
- building your community as a solo practitioner
Max E. Wolinsky — Coal Harbour Law, Vancouver
BREAK (10:20 – 10:35)
Looking Ahead…Where Will We/You Be In 5-10 Years? (10:35 – 10:50)
- defining the future of legal practice
- preparing for transformative shifts in law and technology
- balancing innovation with purpose and client needs
Elizabeth Mah — Paperclip Law Corporation, North Vancouver
Embracing Technology (10:50 – 11:10)
- an exploration of AI, its role in law, and its impact on legal procedures
- implications of AI on data security and algorithmic bias
- evolving practical standards in conjunction with technology
- exploring proactive collaboration between legal professionals and technologists
Ali Sodagar — Sodagar & Company Law Corporation, Vancouver
Stacking Your Tech: Practical Tips for Solicitors (11:10 – 11:30)
- cultivating a process-oriented approach to technology implementation in your firm
- what is a tech stack and why do you need one?
- what to think about before changing or augmenting your tech stack
- pricing your tech stack: are you overpaying?
Eli Zbar — Arora Zbar LLP, Vancouver
Tailoring Service to the Client (11:30 – 11:50)
- limited scope retainers
- deciding what level of due diligence
- balancing costs vs. the "complete checklist"
- defining the service you are providing
- how to document and use checklists
Cynthia Lam — GBC Law, Burnaby
Client Development (11:50 – 12:10)
Silvana M. Facchin — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver
LUNCH (12:10 – 1:00)
You're Not Alone: Building Connections and Community through Volunteerism and Mentorship (1:00 – 1:20)
- the importance of building connection and community in order to avoid isolation
- the importance of volunteerism and mentorship; mentoring and being mentored
- some resources
Cheryl S. D'Sa, KC — Narwal Litigation LLP, Vancouver
Anti-money Laundering Measures (1:20 – 1:40)
- the current landscape
- best practices
- update on rule changes and some key resources
Barbara K. Buchanan, KC — Practice Advisor, AML, Client Identification and Verification, Fraud, Scams, The Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Avoiding Risk/Worst Case Scenarios (1:40 – 2:00)
- when things go wrong and you need to litigate: what every solicitor should know
- shoring up your client's position
- ensuring your file is "bullet proof"
Malcolm B. Funt — Bojm, Funt & Gibbons LLP, Vancouver
Insurance Law (2:00 – 2:10)
- what to know about what you don't know!
- insurance law that you need to be aware of as a solicitor
Bo Carter — DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, Vancouver
Family Law (2:10 – 2:20)
- what to know about what you don't know!
- family law that you need to be aware of as a solicitor
Shahnaz Jamal — Jamal Law Group, Vancouver
BREAK (2:20 – 2:35)
Update from the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC (LTSA) (2:35 – 2:55)
- recent system enhancement
- stakeholder insights
- how LTSA is working to maintain the security and accessibility of the land title system
- avoiding common defects, and more
Larry S. Blaschuk — Registrar of Land Titles, Land Title and Survey Authority of BC, New Westminster
Funds Transfer Frauds Revealed (2:55 – 3:15)
- learn about actual funds transfer frauds that hit BC law firms
- how to avoid being the next victim
- what to do if you become a victim and coverage for funds transfer frauds
Maryanne Prohl — Director, Risk Management, Lawyers Indemnity Fund, Vancouver
End of Practice—Are You Prepared? (3:15 – 3:35)
- consequences of an injury, illness or disability on your retirement plan
- financial, lifestyle, and other considerations in planning for your retirement
- build a bridge before you have to cross it
David J. Bilinsky — Barrister & Solicitor (Retired), Vancouver
Lawyers Assistance Program of BC and Help Available for Mental Health Issues and Burnout (3:35 – 3:55)
- identifying early warning signs
- practical tips on how to avoid burnout
- resources available when you need help
Derek C. LaCroix, KC — Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver
Roger Holland — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Roger Holland — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Closing Remarks (3:55 – 4:00)
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam
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Slides: Managing Your Staff: Best Practices
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Handout: Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors 2024 - Resources
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Paper: Preparing to Retire -or -Dealing with the Unexpected
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