Times Are Changing

By Frank C Kraemer

Why should I be a member of the Canadian Bar Association? What do I get for the money that I pay?

In the post-universal membership world, these are questions on the minds of many B.C. lawyers. A number of recent publications have provided information about the work of the CBA, both nationally and provincially. Many of you will know that we operate 73 Sections and 31 national Sections that provide inexpensive, readily accessible practice information and opportunities for networking with colleagues. You are also undoubtedly aware of some recent successes the Branch has had in advocating legislative reform, including changes to the Real Estate Act, the Business Corporations Act, the Personal Information Protection Act, and Limited Liability Partnerships in the Partnership Act. On the national level, recent work on anti-terrorism legislation, Sarbanes Oxley and of course the legal aid test case all rank high among the CBA’s accomplishments.

But is that enough?

While we believe that many lawyers find real value in the work of the CBA, we are determined to reinforce that value for those who pay membership dues. Members and non-members will see greater differentiation in their ability to access services provided by the CBA, and in the costs of doing so. The basic principle is simple: those who pay fees provide the resources for an infrastructure that allows for the provision of services. Those services should be available to members for free or at a reduced cost, or be available exclusively to them.

Generally speaking, members and “member firms” will pay approximately one-half of what non-member lawyers and firms will pay for CBA services. Member firms are defined as firms where 50 per cent or more of the lawyers are CBA members. Non-members will also find that some services are not available to them at all.

For example, CBA members and member firms can advertise for free on the CBA website, whereas non-member lawyers and firms are required to pay a fee and will be restricted to advertising jobs that are available within their firm. Section papers are available free of charge, but only online and only to members. Legislative Update, previously available in BarTalk, is published online and only available to members.

The Lawyers Directory will continue to publish contact information for all lawyers in B.C., regardless of CBA membership. Members will have free access to the complete, searchable listing of B.C. lawyers online, and will be clearly identified as CBA members in their online listing and in the print Directory. Members will receive one free Preferred Area of Practice listing in the print and online Directory, and be able to purchase additional listings at $25 each; non-members will not have that option. In addition, the cost of purchasing a Directory will be approximately half-price for CBA members.

We have heard the message loud and clear that the CBA must demonstrate value for the dues that lawyers pay, and we intend to deliver on that value. If you haven’t yet renewed, I encourage you to consider the professional and economic benefits of doing so. You can renew online at www.cba.org/bc or by completing the form included with this issue of BarTalk.

This article was published in the February 2005 issue of BarTalk. © 2005 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.