Introverts and Extroverts: Navigating the Transition Back from COVID Restrictions 2022

Course Chairs
Derek C. LaCroix, KC — Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC,
Vancouver
Shari R. Pearlman, LCSW, JD — Assistant Director/Lawyer Counsellor, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver

About the Course Chairs
Derek LaCroix, KC, joined LAPBC as our Executive Director in 1996. With 40 years work experience, he brings a sincere and valued perspective to his commitment to both the organization and to the BC legal profession.

Derek practised law for 18 years and went on to expand his skills in business and counselling. This diverse range of interests has helped Derek become a respected leader in the legal, health care, and recovery communities. He has served on committees with the CBA and the AMA. He was a Commissioner of the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) and the Chair of the annual CoLAP conference for several years. He is also on several non-profit boards of societies dealing with addictions, education, and spirituality. He is often called upon to present seminars and workshops throughout the province, and is tireless in his efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of legal professionals and those who care about them. He received the designation of Queen's Counsel in 2004.

Shari Pearlman, LCSW, JD is the Assistant Director and a Lawyer Counsellor of LAPBC. Shari is a graduate of Wurzweiler School of Social Work, NY, NY (MSW) and Rutgers School of Law, Camden, NJ (JD). She received her Certificate of Business Management from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon and her license in clinical social work (LCSW). She began her work at LAPBC on December 1, 2020.

For the last 21 years, Shari has provided confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, and law students as a member of the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program team. She is experienced in counselling people on such topics as career and life transition, mental health and trauma challenges, crisis intervention, stress management, organizational and time management challenges, alcohol and substance use and compulsive behaviours.

Shari enjoys helping people at life cross roads, and likes to focus on well-being and self-compassion, building community and creating a safe space for expression amongst the legal community. Shari has prior experience as a criminal defense lawyer in Portland, OR. Shari served on the board of the Oregon Women Lawyers, the OSB Diversity Section Executive Board, and as Liaison to the OSB Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. She is a member of the American and Canadian Bar Associations.