CLE Online

Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:05)

Jessica Hodgins — Programs Coordinator, CLEBC, Vancouver
Mary Kingston — Programs Production Manager, CLEBC, Vancouver
Stacie Ayukawa — Senior Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver
Michèle Ross — Designated Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver

Plain Language Writing for Paralegals: Clearing the Fog (9:05 – 9:50)

• how to harness the structure, language, and tone of your writing to help you be understood
• readily available tools to sharpen your writing

Meghan Maddigan — Vice Chair, Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal, Richmond

Automation and Utilizing Technology in Today's Law Practice (9:50 – 10:30)

• pain points as opportunities: design thinking, systems thinking, continuous improvement in legal workflows
• tech tips for a more productive law office
• practical considerations: workflow fit, confidentiality, data residency

Brandon D. Hastings — Partner, Northpoint Legal LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (10:30 – 10:45)

The Ontario Regulation Experience (10:45 – 11:25)

• building a scalable paralegal practice
• why regulation matters
• insights from Alberta and BC's Innovation Sandbox

Michelle Haigh — President and Senior Licensed Paralegal, Precision Paralegal Services, Calgary

Practice Pitfalls and LIF's Role (11:25 – 12:15)

• the types of claims LIF gets
• actual LIF claims revealing the most common mistakes made and top tips to avoid these mistakes
• recent frauds, what to look out for

Maryanne Prohl — Director, Risk Management, Lawyers Indemnity Fund, Vancouver

NETWORKING LUNCH (provided to in-person registrants) (12:15 – 1:15)

Keynote Address: BC's New Legal Professions Act: Tomorrow's Options and Opportunities for Today's Paralegals (1:15 – 2:00)

• why government chose to modernize legal regulation
• why introduce a new category of legal service provider
• what the new Act means for paralegals—multiple options and pathways

Katie Armitage — Legal Counsel, Ministry of Attorney General, Justice Services Branch, Policy and Legislation Division, Victoria

Cultural Competency (2:00 – 2:30)

• what cultural competency really means
• cultural competency in the client experience

Shawnee Monchalin — Legal Counsel, BC Human Rights Tribunal, Vancouver

BREAK (2:30 – 2:45)

BREAKOUTS (choose one; the two in red will be streamed online for those attending via webinar) (2:45 – 3:40)

Family Law Considerations in Estate Litigation (in-person only)

Candace Cho, KC — Principal Lawyer, Onyx Law Group, Vancouver
Gilda Philps — Senior Paralegal, Onyx Law Group, Vancouver

Balancing Stress and Wellbeing in Paralegal Life: A Conversation

• • a dialogic discussion identifying the pressures of paralegal practice in contemporary society
  • how two paralegals build resilience and prevent potential burnout in their careers
  • a look into measures of sustainability in the paralegal profession

Stacie Ayukawa — Senior Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver
Courtney Burnett — Designated Paralegal, Kane Shannon & Weiler LLP, Surrey

Preparing for Mediation/Arbitration

Renee Collins, RRM — Quantum Mediation, West Vancouver
Mark L. Tweedy, KC, C.Med., C. Arb — Mark Tweedy Mediation + Arbitration, Vancouver

Inside the Practice: Lawyers and Paralegals on What Really Works (3:45 – 4:30)

Moderator: Michèle Ross — Designated Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver
Courtney Burnett — Designated Paralegal, Kane Shannon & Weiler LLP, Surrey
Christopher Drinovz — Partner, Kane Shannon & Weiler LLP, Surrey
Stephanie Goldminc — Designated Paralegal, Jamal Law Group, Vancouver
Shahnaz Jamal — Founder and Principal, Jamal Law Group, Vancouver
Sarah Richardson — Paralegal, Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver
Rose Shawlee — Lawyer, Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver

Closing Comments (4:30 – 4:35)

Stacie Ayukawa — Senior Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver
Michèle Ross — Designated Paralegal, Heinrichs Richards LLP, Vancouver