Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors 2024


Course Date: December 9, 2024

Full Course Materials
Total: 5h 47min
Total Ethics: 5h 35min
Course Agenda ▼
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
 
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
 
Closing Remarks (3:55 – 4:00)
 
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam