Our latest news highlights:
Fellhauer elected in Okanagan [posted March 10, 2010]
 Tom Fellhauer is the new Bencher for Okanagan district, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 term. Fellhauer received a majority of votes cast by Okanagan district lawyers in the second round of a preferential ballot by-election. The by-election was required to replace Meg Shaw, QC, who was appointed a Supreme Court Master last December. For a breakdown of the by-election results, see 2010 Okanagan by-election.
Fellhauer was called to the bar in 1988, and practises with Pushor Mitchell LLP, primarily in the areas of tax, trusts, company, wills and estates, societies, charities and foundations and income tax and GST appeals. He is a past chair and director of the Continuing Legal Education Society, and is a member of the CBA and the Kelowna Bar Association.
In his election statement, he noted his contribution to the development of online CLE courses and a commitment to mentoring.
The Law Society congratulates Tom Fellhauer, and thanks all the candidates for their participation in this by-election.
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Spreading the word about retaining women in the profession [posted August 14; updated October 27 and December 18, 2009, and March 10, 2010] 
Since releasing its Business Case for Retaining and Advancing Women Lawyers in Private Practice (PDF) in July 2009, the Law Society has been busy spreading the word that retaining women in the profession is good for business. Next month Anne Giardini, a member of the task force that prepared the report, will be speaking about the business case in her keynote presentation to the 2010 National Spring Conference of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association.
The Law Society continues to seek opportunities to promote the business case. If you would like a business case presentation at your organization or event, email communications@lsbc.org.
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Retaining Aboriginal lawyers in the profession [posted March 9, 2010]
The Benchers have identified the retention of Aboriginal lawyers as one of the key objectives in the current strategic plan. In support of this objective, the Law Society has undertaken several initiatives, including:
- a demographic project to better understand the participation of Aboriginal lawyers in the profession;
- the development of a business case for diversity in law practice, including recruitment and retention Aboriginal lawyers; and
- an upcoming event in conjunction with National Aboriginal Day to recognize Aboriginal leaders in the profession and to promote networking among Aboriginal lawyers and law students.
The Law Society is also reviewing recent research and reports related to retention of Aboriginal lawyers to develop effective strategies and additional supports.
These initiatives advance the resolutions passed at the 2009 AGM related to the participation of Aboriginal lawyers. The Law Society has implemented the first resolution by incorporating the retention of Aboriginal lawyers into the current strategic plan, and has substantially implemented the second resolution in undertaking a comprehensive review of past and recent reports, as well as current research related to lawyer retention and the demographics of the profession. The comprehensive review is expected to identify and recommend next steps for advancing the retention of Aboriginal lawyers, including consideration of a staff lawyer position. The Benchers recognize that identifying the most effective supports is a priority and expect a progress report after the June Aboriginal lawyers’ event.
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Special sitting to mark BCCA's centenary [posted March 8, 2010]
| You are invited to a special sitting of the Court of Appeal, in celebration of its 100th anniversary: |
When:
|
4:15 pm
Firday, March 26, 2010 |
Where: |
The Great Hall,
Law Courts
Vancouver |
| Reception to follow at the Law Courts Inn. |
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New Chief Legal Officer [posted February 25, 2010]
 Deborah Armour is the new Chief Legal Officer for the Law Society, starting April 8, 2010. Deborah has more than 20 years of legal experience, including 15 years of compliance leadership in regulated industries.
Most recently, Deborah has been the Director of Legal and Compliance Services for Powerex Corporation, responsible for overseeing the in-house legal group and implementing a regulatory compliance program. Prior to joining Powerex, Deborah worked as a Senior Vice President at Raymond James Ltd. and as General Counsel of the Vancouver Stock Exchange.
After graduating from Dalbousie Law School, Deborah articled with Russell & DuMoulin (now Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP) and was called to the Bar in 1986.
Deborah has a long record of service as a volunteer, and has been a member of the Audit Committee of the Law Society as well as a board member of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association.
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Law Week: April 11 – 17 [posted February 16, 2010]
A video aimed at teaching high school students about lawyer and judicial independence will be part of the Law Society’s presentation during Law Week. The video, Legal Independence: It’s Your Right, features three high school students challenging a fictitious law, the “Youth Gathering Act."
It will be displayed on Saturday, April 17 in the concourse of the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library.
Representatives will be on hand to answer questions on the role the Law Society plays in protecting the public interest in the administration of justice.
Law Week celebrates the signing of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and will be held in communities throughout BC from April 11 to 17.
More information on Law Week 2010 can be found at www.bclawweek.org.
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Tindale appointed Provincial Court judge [posted February 12; updated February 24, 2010]
 Ronald Tindale has been appointed a judge of the Provincial Court in Prince George. He will take his seat effective February 15.
A Bencher for Cariboo county since 2006, Tindale served on the Credentials Committeee, Unauthorized Practice Committee and Independence and Self-Governance Advisory Committee.
He was born and raised in Prince George, received his LL.B from Queen's University in 1988 and was called to the bar in 1989. His practice involved criminal law, plaintiff personal injury, ICBC defence and civil litigation.
A by-election for Cariboo county will be set in the near future.
This appointment creates a vacancy for Bencher in Cariboo district. A by-election has been set for Friday, April 16, 2010. Calls for nomination will be mailed to Cariboo district members in late February. The term of the new Bencher will begin immediately on election and end on December 31, 2011.
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Law Society submission on Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [posted February 12, 2010]
British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996, c. 165) is the subject of a comprehensive review by a special committee of the Legislative Assembly at least once every six years under section 80 of that Act. In response to a call for submissions for the review now in progress, the Law Society has made a written submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act with recommendations on how the Act could be improved: download the submission (PDF).
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Strategic Plan modified [posted February 4, 2010]
The Benchers started off the year by making modifications to the current Strategic Plan, including a new focus on the retention of Aboriginal lawyers in the legal profession. A business case for enhancing diversity in firms, with a particular focus on Aboriginal lawyers, will be developed during the coming year.
The chair of the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee, Robert Brun, QC, said his committee is looking forward to the work. "There is a definite air of excitement around these initiatives involving Aboriginal students and lawyers."
Among other changes to the Plan, Benchers will consider the separation of their investigative and adjudicative powers, and will re-examine the Society’s guidelines for the handling of discipline matters.
For more information, go to About the Law Society/Overview/Strategic Plan or read the Strategic Plan (PDF).
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Maternity leave benefit loan program [posted February 4, 2010]
The Law Society has implemented a maternity leave benefit loan program, designed to assist self-employed women lawyers to remain in practice. The program aims to help women address some of the overhead costs associated with maintaining a sole practice during a maternity leave.
The loan program is available to practising self-employed women lawyers who do not have access to other maternity and parental financial benefits beyond government programs. The program provides a fixed sum of $2,000 per month for four months.
Guidelines and forms are available in Publications & Forms.
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CPD and mentoring [posted February 4, 2010]
The Law Society has now posted a Frequently Asked Questions page about the new CPD-accredited mentorship program, which came into effect January 1: see Licensing & Membership/CPD/Mentoring.
Members may also be interested to know the University of Victoria’s law school offers CPD-accredited programs free of charge to BC lawyers. For more information, visit UVIC’s website at www.law.uvic.ca/news/news_story.php?id=170.
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