More than you might think

by Frank C Kraemer

If you work in law, we work for you. The BC Branch exists to serve you, to promote the interests of the legal profession, monitor provincial legislation, advocate law reform, and provide legal service referrals and information to the public in a manner that enhances the image of lawyers.

As a member of the BC Bar, you are also part of a national association of 37,000 lawyers – ensuring a strong voice on any national or provincial issue of concern to the profession. As a CBA member, every practising lawyer in BC benefits from a strong, national organization of lawyers working for lawyers.

Thousands of CBA members throughout BC are involved in the Branch, through Committees, our active Sections, Provincial Council, and a variety of other volunteer contributions. Participation provides opportunities to interact with professional colleagues in a non-adversarial setting, and an invaluable way to be part of local and national discussions about current issues affecting the profession.

Networking, Information Sharing & Skills Enhancement
One of the key benefits of belonging to a strong professional association is the ability to access the best in your business, through programs, activities and events that allow you to stay at the “top of your game” and to network with other lawyers.

Sections
The 72 Sections of the BC Branch connect you with others who share your interest in a particular area of law, and provide the opportunity to stay current on emerging issues. Sections are a resource for legislative review, law reform initiatives, media coverage, and in responding to the Law Society of BC on matters affecting the profession. Section members receive notices and minutes of the Sections for a nominal cost.

Branch Section meetings and their guest speakers produce many informative papers during the year, available either individually or as a set, at a nominal cost.

Annual Meetings and Forums
Two annual National CBA meetings occur every August and February. In addition, the BC Branch hosts annual President’s Forums where knowledgeable individuals address current issues of concern. These events combine professional development with an opportunity to network with colleagues.

Practice Advisory Panels
Many Sections have established Practice Advisory Panels to provide practical advice, in substantive areas of law, to other lawyers. A list of volunteer panel members is published in the BC Branch Directory and online at www.cba.org/bc.

Mentor Program
Volunteer lawyers are matched with University of British Columbia and University of Victoria law students and participate in a variety of activities to increase student understanding of the legal profession and the practice of law.

Collegiality
CBABC co-sponsors events such as the Bench and Bar Dinner (with the Law Society of BC), the Annual Golf Tournament (with the Vancouver Bar Association), and other social events that bring lawyers and judges together in a relaxed atmosphere. The Branch’s Member Dispute Resolution Committee is developing an informal process for members to resolve disputes and improve civility and collegiality within the profession.

Local and County Bar Support
The CBABC provides support services to local and county bars, including electronic circulation of notices, hosting an annual Local and County Bar Presidents meeting with the Attorney General, Chief Justices, and other justice system partners, and publishing local bar events and accomplishments in BarTalk.

Publications/Communications
Keeping members informed is a top priority of the CBABC. Most communication is through meetings of Provincial Council, Sections and Committees, visits to Local and County Bar Associations, publications, and the CBABC Web site.

Annual Report
The annual report highlights activities carried out during the fiscal year and contains audited financial statements. The publication provides an opportunity to review Section activities including speakers, special events and legislative and law reform efforts.

Bar News/Issue Alert
Timely bulletins are faxed or e-mailed to all members outlining issues affecting the profession.

BarTalk
Published six times per year, this newsletter includes “SectionTalk,” “PracticeTalk,” “Legislative Update,” and guest columns. Articles address topical issues affecting the legal profession in BC. BarTalk is distributed to all BC Branch members, key government contacts, and news media.

BC Lawyers Telephone, Fax & Services Directory
This annual publication lists all BC lawyers both alphabetically and geographically, as well as law related organizations, courts, judges, commissions and professional services. For the first time, this invaluable resource will be published in CD-ROM format in January 2003.

Surveys
The CBABC conducts annual surveys in co-operation with the Vancouver Association of Legal Administrators, to provide important information about salaries and benefits for BC legal administrative staff and lawyers.

Media Contacts Guide
The CBABC publishes in print and online, a list of key media contacts for reporters looking for background information and commentary on legal issues of the day. These are primarily Section Chairs and Executive members who have volunteered to be available to help increase accuracy in reporting, and to promote the interests of the profession.

Lawyers Guide to the Media
A concise, eight-page booklet of media relations tips and strategies is free to any member on request. For those in the legal profession who are the focus of media attention, the CBABC also offers access to the Director of Communications for advice at any time by phone or e-mail.

Web Site
The CBABC Web site is a members-only site with access to Section minutes and papers, CBA information, job listings and resume postings, news of interest to the legal profession, a calendar of events, Council and Executive Committee minutes, searchable archives of BarTalk and an online Members’ Directory. Members-only bulletin boards, chat rooms and virtual meeting rooms are also available (see related article on page 26).

Improving Public Understanding and Access to the Justice System
The CBABC operates several programs designed to inform the public about the law, legal services, and the benefits of seeking legal advice when problems arise. Branch members actively participate in these programs, contributing to a better public understanding of the law and the profession.

Dial-A-Law
The CBABC has operated the free Dial-A-Law information service since 1982, assisted by financial support from the Law Foundation of BC. Dial-A-Law provides province-wide, 24-hour, toll-free telephone and Web site access to more than 130 scripts containing basic information on a wide range of legal topics. Volunteers review scripts on a regular basis to ensure that they are current and accurate.

Lawyer Referral
Many Branch members are enrolled in Lawyer Referral, a provincial service administered by CBABC and funded by the Law Foundation of BC. Individuals who think they may have a legal problem are referred to a participating lawyer who provides an interview of up to half an hour for a $10 fee.

Law Week
Each year several thousand British Columbians receive information on the law and the legal profession through Law Week activities, coordinated by the CBABC. Activities include a “Dial-A-Lawyer” program, law court open houses, public speaking and essay competitions, mock trials, displays in libraries and schools, visits to the classroom by lawyers, and special features in the media.

Image of Lawyers
The CBABC works to educate the public, promote the legal profession and defend the independence of the judiciary. Through the national Lawyers Care Initiative, client relations materials have been developed in BC and used throughout the country to promote the relationship between clients and lawyers. Posters have been developed and distributed to all secondary schools in BC, to encourage students to re-examine their perceptions about lawyers and to educate themselves about the legal profession.

A Voice in Improving BC’s Justice System
A strong provincial and national Association means a strong voice in all that impacts upon our profession and the justice system. With 10,000 members, the CBABC is listened to by government, the media, and the public.

Committees
Members serve on 28 Branch standing and special committees, including Equality, Solicitors Practice Issues, Legal Aid and Automobile Insurance, to name but a few. The Branch also appoints representatives to society boards, including the BC Courthouse Library Society, CLE, and the Law Foundation of BC.

Government Relations
The Branch often makes presentations to the government on issues of concern to CBA members. The Government Relations Committee plays an important role in this, helping the Branch promote a better working relationship with members of government, official opposition and senior bureaucrats.

Legislation and Law Reform
The Branch actively promotes the development of good, practical laws. The Legislation and Law Reform committee is an avenue for members to help the provincial government ensure that legislation is understandable, workable and fair, and does not violate the rule of law. Through legislative review and law reform activities, the CBABC contributes to the administration of justice in BC. Last year, more than a dozen formal submissions were prepared by the Branch.

Recognizing Excellence
The CBABC recognizes and publicly promotes significant achievements and significant contributions to the profession and society by members.

Community Service Awards
CBABC Community Service Awards annually recognize the valuable contributions of our members who serve our communities. The award recognizes CBA members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, service and commitment to the community in each of the eight provincial counties.

Georges A. Goyer, QC Memorial Award
This award for distinguished service recognizes exceptional achievements in the law and is presented at the annual Bench and Bar Dinner.

President’s Medal
The BC Branch President’s Medal annually recognizes one or more of the following: legal academic proficiency, outstanding works of legal scholarship, significant contribution to the profession, or noteworthy contribution to Canadian public life.

Student Awards
A monetary award is presented to the law student who best exemplifies CBABC ideals at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. 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. Winners are selected by CBABC and law school representatives.

New Awards
Two new awards have been approved, and the Awards Committee is currently developing criteria and selection processes for each. One will recognize contributions in the area of pro bono work, and one will recognize contributions to issues of equality and diversity.

Member Services
The CBABC Member Services Committee and Branch staff work hard to evaluate proposals and to monitor existing suppliers of goods and services to the legal profession. Member Services provide direct benefits to lawyers through quality products, discounts, and funding of other Branch programs and activities. Members have access to special discounts and quality service through suppliers of auto leasing, banking, teleconferencing, hotels, entertainment, legal support services and office supplies, insurance, business consulting and lawyer recruitment services.

Finances
CBABC provides all of these programs and services from membership fees and other sources of revenue. The graphs below set out the Branch’s revenue and expenses for the current fiscal year, based on the budget approved by Provincial Council at its June 2002 meeting.

    

If you are interested in participating in any of CBABC’s programs, please contact the Branch office at 604.687.3404 or toll free 1.888.687.3404 (email cba@bccba.org).

This article was published in the December 2002 issue of BarTalk. © 2002 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.