CLEBC Update

Aboriginal Practice Points articles
Aboriginal rights and legal issues affect almost every practice area of the law. CLE’s Web site (www.cle.bc.ca) now features 20 full-length articles, accessible for free, to guide lawyers through issues arising when they act for Aboriginal clients or in matters involving Aboriginal interests. The fully searchable articles, written by experienced practitioners, feature links to full-text legislation and selected cases. The collection, developed with the support of the Law Foundation of B.C., is located in the ‘Practice Desk’ area of the CLE Web site.

Online CLE Publications pending!
Building on projects like the Aboriginal Practice Points collection and current awareness articles now available on the CLE Web site, CLE is working on placing its practice manuals online, to allow lawyers the option of purchasing manuals online. CLE’s first online manual, a pilot version of the popular BC Probate & Estate Administration Practice Manual, will be available this March. The fully searchable manual will have an easy-to-use web format, links to full-text legislation and cases, and downloadable forms and precedents. The manual will be available to the entire profession for a two-month period for free, so be sure to try it out!

Civil Litigation Conference
The 4th Biennial Civil Litigation Conference will be held February 27 & 28 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. The Honourable Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci will give the Keynote Address. Hear strategies and tips from senior litigators on: trial by jury; torts, contracts, economic loss, punitive damages and more.

New Book: Understanding Financial Information: A Family Lawyer’s Guide
Family lawyers are increasingly faced with situations relating to self-employed and small business clients, in which income and assets can be hard to determine. This book gives advice on obtaining and understanding financial information and using that information to effectively determine income and divide assets.


The Law Foundation of British Columbia
Grants Approved
The Board of Governors of the Law Foundation of BC met in November 2002 and approved funding totalling $4,261,300 for the following 2003 continuing programs.

• BC Coalition of People with Disabilities,(Advocacy Access Program) - $136,900
• BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association,(Law Reform/Public Legal Education Program) - $20,800
• BC Human Rights Coalition,(Legal Advocacy and Education Program) - $132,300
• Debate/Speech Association of BC,(Law Foundation Cup Debates) - $14,300
• Downtown Eastside Residents’ Association,(Advocacy Services Program) - $103,300
• Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre,(Legal Advocacy Program) - $33,000
• Greater Vancouver Law Students’ Legal Advice Program,(Operating) - $121,000
• Law Foundation Lay Advocacy Education and Training Fund,$54,600
• Law Courts Education Society,(Northern Public Legal Education Program for First Nations Communities) - $60,800
• Law Society of British Columbia,(CANLII Virtual Law Library) - $65,000
• Legal Services Society,(Operating) - $3,272,500
• UBC Faculty of Law,(Projects/Scholarships) - $127,300(First Nations Clinical Program) - $65,500
• UVic, Faculty of Law,(Projects/Scholarships) - $54,000

New Appointments to the Board of Governors
The Law Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of five new Governors to the Board, each for a term of three years.

Madam Justice Pamela Kirkpatrick was called to the Bar in 1978 and practised law at McCarthy & McCarthy until 1989 when she was appointed Master of the Supreme Court of BC in Vancouver. She has been a Justice of the Supreme Court since 1992.

Warren T. Wilson, QC was called to the Bar in 1968 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1993. He is a partner with the Vancouver firm of Borden Ladner Gervais. Mr. Wilson served on the CBA National and Provincial Council for six years, and chaired the CBA National Member Services Committee 1990-1991. Mr. Wilson served as a Bencher of the Law Society of BC from 1991-1999 and as President in 1999.

Dev Dley was called to the Bar in 1979. He is Associate Counsel with the Kamloops firm Mair Jensen Blair. Previously, Mr. Dley was Commissioner for the Western Hockey League (1996-2000).

Grant J. Gray was called to the Bar in 1982. Mr. Gray is a sole practitioner and litigator in Kelowna. He served as a Director of the Legal Services Society until 2002.

Cindy McKinley is Manager, Human Resources Planning & Development, BC Hydro. From 1980 until 1993, Ms. McKinley worked for the federal government in various capacities, including policy, planning, and grant making.

The Foundation wishes to thank Madam Justice Alison Beames, Andrew Croll, Madam Justice Victoria Gray, and Marina Pratchett, QC, who concluded their terms in 2002, for their time and commitment to the Foundation.

These articles were published in the February 2003 issue of BarTalk. © 2003 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.