Stella Frame is New Equality Representative
The CBABC is pleased to introduce the 2003/2004 CBABC Equality Representative, Stella Frame.

Stella Frame is a director of Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson Law Corporation. She graduated from UVic Law School in 1988 and was called to the Bar in 1989. Stella practises in civil litigation with a focus on banking, commercial, construction (leaky condos), and bankruptcy and insolvency litigation. She is the firm’s leader in the Meritas Worldwide Organization Insolvency Group and leads the firm’s insolvency practice group. Stella updates course materials for the Professional Legal Training Course (PLTC) and the Practice Checklists Manual for the Law Society of B.C. She also delivers the collections lecture for PLTC and has delivered speeches on insolvency issues to financial institutions and related credit grantors’ associations. Stella is a member of the CBABC’s Judicial Advisory Committee and a past member of both the Women’s Advisory, and the Court Order Enforcement Act Review committees. She is a member of the Provincial Council Executive Committee, Secretary of the Insolvency Section and Chair of the Equality Committee.


Dial-A-Law Brochures Available
Dial-A-Law is a library of 131 scripts that provide information on specific topics of law as they apply in B.C. The scripts can be accessed by telephone (604.687.4680 or toll-free outside the Lower Mainland 1.800.565.5297) or online at www.dialalaw.org.

Dial-A-Law brochures are a good resource for clients. To place an order, complete the brochure order form included in this BarTalk or call 604.687.3404 or 1.888.687.3404.


Borden Ladner Gervais Raises Cash for Kids
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP earned top honours in the Legal Division of the 24th annual 24 Hour Relay for the Kids, held in Burnaby June 14-15. This was the second consecutive year in a row that the firm won the Legal Division but this year the team increased their fundraising dollars by more than 30 per cent over last year, with a grand total of $24,300.

“Our goal in the 24 Hour Relay is to significantly benefit children with disabilities, and to promote social responsibility within our firm and our community,” said Jennifer McNaught, team captain for Borden Ladner Gervais. “This year almost 200 lawyers, articling students, staff and clients participated in our campaign. It included a pledge competition, 50/50 draws, a casual day, a bake sale, a silent auction, even a Fear Factor eating contest.” The team also earned a membership in the $100,000 Club, with an accumulated total of $105,248 raised during their years of participation. Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang earned a membership into the $50,000 Club this year with an accumulated total of $59,144. Law firms and legal teams have raised an accumulated total of more than $374,000.

Money raised from the Relay provides the primary funding for the B.C. Easter Seal Camping program.


October 20-26 is Healthy Workplace Week
YWCA of Vancouver
Healthy workplaces begin with healthy individuals. Healthy Workplace Week is October 20-26, 2003. This wellness wisdom is brought to you by the YWCA Health and Wellness Centre.

Wellness means much more than regular physical activity – it is about choosing a balanced lifestyle. Although physical activity is known to have a positive impact on the body, mind, and spirit, relationships, self-esteem, nutrition, and stress also contribute to overall well-being.

But in a fast-paced society, who has the time to eat well, exercise regularly and enjoy personal time? However, as these are key ingredients for overall well-being, fitting them into life is essential. Learning to accept those things beyond personal control and changing the things you can is a step in the right direction.

Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, lifestyles don’t change overnight. Baby step lifestyle changes are more likely to become permanent changes. For example, begin by starting every day with a nutritious breakfast, and then develop a well-balanced meal plan that incorporates a variety of foods from all food groups. To step up activity levels, instead of visiting the usual coffee shop, choose one a few blocks away. Try taking the stairs, instead of the elevator. A sound diet and a little action in life boost energy levels and aid in managing life’s stresses.

Achieving a healthy balance between work and play and maintaining a state of wellness are ongoing processes with multiple benefits. People with healthy balances will notice the benefits, as will people around them. The best gift is the gift of health. In celebration of Healthy Workplace Week, consider giving a gift to yourself today.


Vancouver Lawyers Part of Prestigious Choir
Vancouver’s Elektra Women’s Choir is regarded as a leader in classical women’s choirs worldwide. Among its members are Jennifer McGraw, of Barrigar Intellectual Property Law, and Melinda Munro, of the Public Guardian & Trustee’s Office. Jennifer serves on Elektra’s Board of Directors with Marina Morgan, of Shapiro, Hankinson & Knutson, who serves as Elektra’s Treasurer.

The highlight of the choir’s 2002-2003 season was its appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York as part of the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association.

Elektra’s next concert Songs of Sanctuary will feature guest conductor and composer Javier Busto leading the choir in his own works and those of other Spanish composers. Two performances are planned: November 29, 8:00 p.m. at West Vancouver United Church and November 30, 7:30 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights United Church. Call Ticketmaster for tickets (604-280-3311). In the spring, the choir will perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and Chor Leoni, in a reprise of the VSO’s popular Gilbert and Sullivan concert.


Law Students Seek Articling Positions
If you are considering hiring a student for an articling position, there are still a number of highly qualified third-year law students at both UBC and UVic who are seeking articling positions for the 2004/05 term. Moreover, the UBC and UVic Career Services offices would be pleased to assist you with your search; the offices will circulate your job posting and help you identify qualified candidates.

Articling is an important – not to mention, mandatory – stage in the legal training process. Articling principals, through their assistance and guidance, provide students with the requisite knowledge and skills to become competent legal professionals. Hiring an articling student is an excellent opportunity for members of the bar to provide training and mentorship. If you cannot hire a student for the full articling term please consider the possibility of Shared Articles as defined by the Law Society of B.C. Rules.

For questions, or to post a position contact:

UBC
Danielle Raymond, Director of Career Services
Judy Pozsgay, Associate Director of Career Services
Tel: 604-822-0846 or 604-822-6350
Fax: 604-822-8108
Email: raymond@law.ubc.ca or pozsgay@law.ubc.ca

UVic
Nancy Pye, Career Development Officer
Tel: 250-472-4719
Fax: 250-721-8146
Email: nancypye@uvic.ca


BCCLS Commissions Research
The B.C. Courthouse Library Society (BCCLS) has commissioned a market research firm, Synovate, to undertake a needs assessment of lawyers and other members of the legal community of B.C.

The aim of the study is to improve the service and product offerings of the courthouse libraries to lawyers, other members of the legal community and to the public, and ensure that the BCCLS Strategic Plan of 2002-2005 is on target.

The study take place between September and November and involves in-person interviews, focus groups, and telephone surveys of randomly chosen members of the legal community. All information provided to Synovate will be kept strictly confidential.


Legal Services Society
LSS Law Line To Include Brief Legal Services
The Legal Services Society (LSS) launched a pilot project in September, for providing brief legal services to people with low incomes in B.C.

The project is a legal hotline, available through the society’s Law Line until March 2004.

Brief legal services include legal advice, written opinions, phone calls or letters on a caller’s behalf to third parties, help with correspondence and documents, and similar services that can be delivered during or shortly after a telephone conversation. These will be available to people with low incomes who cannot access alternative legal services. Financial eligibility is determined by an income test LSS has established for advice services.

The project is modelled on the U.S. legal hotlines. In B.C., the service will be provided by lawyers and paralegals, who will also assist in developing support materials for the program. In addition, Law Line lawyers will provide consultation services to community advocates.

Brief legal services do not replace representation by counsel, nor can they meet the needs of all people with low incomes. However, they can improve the likelihood that callers without legal representation will take appropriate action and obtain access to justice.

Until August 2002, Law Line was operated by the society’s former Legal Resource Centre in Vancouver and provided information and referral services to Lower Mainland callers. Law Line became a province-wide, toll-free service in September 2002.

Staff receive about 2,000 calls per month. About 35 per cent of callers need family law services, 15 per cent need criminal law information, and the rest need help with problems related to other legal issues such as immigration, welfare and other benefits, housing, and debt.

The Law Line numbers are: 604-408-2172 and 1-866-577-2525 (toll free in B.C.). For further information contact John Simpson (604-601-6099) or Allan Parker (604-601-6016) at LSS.


Lawyers Assistance Program
LAP provides confidential support, counselling and referrals for lawyers, their families, support staff, judges and students suffering from alcohol and/or chemical dependency, stress, depression or just about any type of personal problem.

For assistance or information on meetings and resources please call 604.685.2171 or toll free 1.888.685.2171.

The LAP office address is 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2T4.

Visit LAP on the Internet at www.lapbc.com.

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