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
Client Files: Complying With Your Professional Obligations (9:05 – 9:35)
- client identification and verification and risk management
- resource list—opening and closing client files
- resource list—trust accounting and audits
- rule changes—trust rules and anti-money laundering
Barbara K. Buchanan, KC — Practice Advisor, AML, Client Identification and Verification, Fraud, Scams, The Law Society of BC, Vancouver
The Retainer Letter is Your BFF (9:35 – 9:45)
- what needs to be in there
- limited retainers
- avoiding the "remember when…" calls in the future
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Retaining Good Lawyers: Why Do Employees Leave/Why Do Employees Stay (9:45 – 10:05)
- 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
Speaker TBA
Limitation Periods, Full Stop (10:05 – 10:15)
- when do they start
- how to extend the period
- how they relate to mortgages
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
The Lawyer as Small Business Owner (10:15 – 10:35)
- corporate records
- general pricing points for fees for services
- corporate commercial, business sector
- building your community as a solo practitioner
Speaker TBA
Executing Documents in a Digital World (10:35 – 10:45)
- evidentiary value to the document that isn't wet-ink
- LTO document signing post-COVID
- ILA and "no advice sought or given"
- do Promissory Notes need to be original?
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
BREAK (10:45 – 11:00)
You're Not Alone: Building Connections and Community through Volunteerism and Mentorship (11:00 – 11:20)
- 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
The Straight Goods on Good Faith (11:20 – 11:30)
- is good faith a fundamental tenet in contracts?
- good faith in a real estate transaction
- lawyers' duties of good faith (vs. sharp practice)
- the lying or fraudulent client (don't be duped and don't assist)
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
AI Technology (11:30 – 11:50)
- the role of AI in law and its impact on legal procedures
- avoiding redundancy in solicitor's practice
- implications of AI on data security and algorithmic bias
- evolving practical standards in conjunction with technology
- exploring proactive collaboration between legal professionals and technologists
Speaker TBA
Don't Get Crowded by Multiple Parties (11:50 – 12:00)
- Law Society expectations for lawyers
- the "family" transaction
- best practices
- what is a simple conveyance?
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
LUNCH (12:00 – 12:45)
Stacking Your Tech: Practical Tips for Solicitors (12:45 – 1:05)
- 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
Performance "Under Protest" (1:05 – 1:15)
- when do you do that?
- what rights are being preserved?
- what is "merger"?
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Tailoring Service to the Client (1:15 – 1:35)
- 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
Speaker TBA
Boiler Plate Clauses (1:35 – 1:45)
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Client Development (1:45 – 2:05)
Silvana M. Facchin — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver
The Use of Powers of Attorney (2:05 – 2:15)
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
BREAK (2:15 – 2:30)
Avoiding Risk—Worst Case Scenarios (2:30 – 2:50)
- 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"
Christopher Ramsay — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
Insurance Law Update: What Solicitors Should Know (2:50 – 3:00)
- what to know about what you don't know!
- insurance law that you need to be aware of as a solicitor
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Funds Transfer Frauds Revealed (3:00 – 3:20)
- 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
Silvana L. Herra — Claims Counsel, Lawyers Indemnity Fund, Vancouver
Family Law Update: What Solicitors Should Know (3:20 – 3:30)
- what to know about what you don't know!
- family law that you need to be aware of as a solicitor
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Help Available for Mental Health Issues and Burnout (3:30 – 3:50)
- identifying early warning signs
- practical tips on how to avoid burnout
- help available for mental health issues and burnout: Lawyers Assistance Program of BC
Michael Kahn — Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver
Questions and Discussion (3:50 – 4:00)
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam