Mental Health Forum for Legal Professionals 2021

Course Chair
Brook Greenberg, QC — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

About the Course Chair
Brook Greenberg, QC is a leading BC litigator with a stellar reputation in complex commercial litigation, including banking, forestry, and construction litigation. As the former leader of the firm's forestry industry practice group, Brook has significant experience both regionally and nationally, and has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Clients seek Brook out for representation in civil litigation, arbitration, and regulatory matters. Brook ensures that clients' business objectives are the primary focus of the litigation strategy.

He has also been counsel in numerous proceedings relating to substantial construction disputes.

Brook is an elected Bencher of the Law Society of BC. He is currently chair of the Law Society Mental Health Task Force, a member of the Law Society Ethics Committee, and Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee. Brook has previously served as chair and vice chair of the Law Society Discipline Committee, vice chair of the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee, and a member of the Access to Legal Services Advisory Committee and the Unauthorized Practice Committee.

Brook also teaches Civil Procedure as an Adjunct Professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC. He was a member of the planning committee and a featured presenter in the videos used to create the Advocacy Toolkit; an award winning learning resource provided by CLEBC. Brook frequently teaches Professionalism: Ethics as a guest instructor at the Law Society of BC's Professional Legal Training Course. He also often presents at CLE courses related to civil litigation, forestry, professional ethics, and other topics.

Faculty
Ian D. Aikenhead, QC — AMJ Law, Vancouver
Amy Binder — Engagement Strategy and Culture Director, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Calgary
Jonathan Chapnick — Portage Legal Services, Vancouver
Orlando Da Silva, LSM — Chief Administrator, Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada, Ottawa
Sara Forte — Forte Law Corporation, Surrey
Jillian Frank — Chief Talent and Practice Officer, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver
Nicole L. Garton — Heritage Law, West Vancouver
Michael Kahn, JD, M.Ed. — Lawyers Assistance Program of BC and ReelTime CLE, Vancouver
Sandra L. Kovacs — KazLaw Injury Lawyers, Vancouver
Derek C. LaCroix, QC — Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver
Erin Peters — Erin Peters Counselling, Vancouver
Lou Poskitt — Miller Titerle + Co., Vancouver
Andrea Rayment — Director of Professional Development, Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
Bena Stock, LLB, MC, RCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor, Bena Stock Counselling and Consulting, Vancouver

Click here for faculty bios

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:10)

Brook Greenberg, QC — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

The "Lived Experience" (9:10 – 10:10)

Ian D. Aikenhead, QC — AMJ Law, Vancouver
Orlando Da Silva, LSM — Chief Administrator, Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada, Ottawa
Sandra L. Kovacs — KazLaw Injury Lawyers, Vancouver 

BREAK (10:10 – 10:20)

Legal Employer Perspectives (Breakout Sessions) (10:20 – 11:20)

SESSION A: Mental Health Challenges in the Large Employer Context: Things We Are Seeing and Initiatives We Are Trying

Mental health issues—including stress, burnout, anxiety and depression—affect all of us in the legal profession, and never more so than over the past year. This session focuses on how to support our leaders, colleagues, juniors, and assistants in managing their mental health and staying engaged in the legal profession. Join us for an interactive session that will cover:

• • initiatives to address mental health and wellness
  • ways to connect with people at your organization to increase engagement and support and reduce stigma about mental health issues
  • suggestions for engaging in conversations with individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges

Amy Binder — Engagement Strategy and Culture Director, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Calgary
Jillian Frank — Chief Talent and Practice Officer, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver
Andrea Rayment — Director of Professional Development, Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver

SESSION B: Creating a Culture of Mental Health as a Small/Medium Employer

Leaders in their organizations will discuss:

• • initiatives they are undertaking to support mental health
  • how they establish a culture of mental health at their organizations
  • strategies for keeping staff engaged during the pandemic and beyond
  • challenges and opportunities that small/medium employers face

Sara Forte — Forte Law Corporation, Surrey
Nicole L. Garton — Heritage Law, West Vancouver
Lou Poskitt — Miller Titerle + Co., Vancouver

BREAK (11:20 – 11:30)

Resources and Support for Legal Professionals Experiencing Mental Health Issues (11:30 – 12:30)

In this session, legal and mental health professionals will provide tips on:

• how to change the culture of the legal profession
• how to take care of your own mental health
• how to create culture change in our everyday communications
• how to support an employee or a colleague who has a mental health condition
• do's and don'ts for managers and employers

Jonathan Chapnick — Portage Legal Services, Vancouver
Michael Kahn, JD, M.Ed. — Lawyers Assistance Program of BC and ReelTime CLE, Vancouver
Derek C. LaCroix, QC — Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver
Erin Peters — Erin Peters Counselling, Vancouver
Bena Stock, LLB, MC, RCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor, Bena Stock Counselling and Consulting, Vancouver

Closing Remarks (12:30 – 12:35)

Brook Greenberg, QC — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver