Respected Solicitor Receives Top CBA Honour
Paul Beckmann, QC received one of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch’s highest honours, the Georges A. Goyer, QC Memorial Award, at the annual Bench & Bar Dinner on November 21, 2002.

The Goyer Award was created in 1992 to recognize exceptional contributions to the legal profession, judicial jurisprudence or the law in BC. It is awarded in memory of Georges A. Goyer, QC, a respected member of the BC Branch who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Beckmann, a partner at the law firm McCarthy Tétrault, was nominated for the honour by Sholto Hebenton, QC, Winton Derby, QC and Peter D. Fairey. His nomination was supported by numerous respected members of the legal community who lauded his ‘outstanding contributions,’ ‘marvellous efforts,’ ‘unimpeachable good character,” and ‘limitless capacity for service to the profession.’

Mr. Beckmann’s nominators, while recognizing the breadth of his contributions, in particular cited his role in bar admission education. “What stands out in our minds, is Mr. Beckmann’s role in the work 15 years ago that elevated the then rudimentary system of bar admission courses into the internationally recognized professional legal training program that now operates in BC.” Continuing Legal Education Society Executive Director Jack Huberman, QC, has called Mr. Beckmann the ‘father’ of the modern era of bar admission education in British Columbia.

CBABC President David Paul, who chaired the selection committee, said “Mr. Beckmann is universally admired and respected, and this was an instance where long overdue recognition has been given to a lawyer whose generosity and influence have left a substantial mark both within the profession and within his community.”

Paul Beckmann, QC recipient of the 2002 Georges A. Goyer, QC Memorial Award, with David Paul, CBABC President


CBABC Law Student Awards
The CBABC annually awards two $2,000 Student Awards to the law student who best exemplifies CBABC ideals at both the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. The CBABC is proud to announce that the 2002 Student Award winners are Michael Feder, a third year law student at UBC and Kirsten Van Drunen, a first year law student at UVic.

Award criteria include student participation in activities supporting members of the profession; promotion of justice and law reform; equality; and demonstration of public and community service. Award recipients are selected by CBABC and law school representatives.

Michael Feder, a third year UBC law student receives his award from President David Paul.

These articles were published in the December 2002 issue of BarTalk. © 2002 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.