Future in Focus

by Kerry-Lynne D Findlay

The future, what does it hold? What will our profession be in 10 years? Will I still be practicing the way I always have, or will I be in a new environment: new rules of Court, new procedures, new client demands, new and expanded competition?

Recognizing that change and evolution are upon us, and that we must learn to adapt if we are to survive to pursue our career with passion and focus, the CBA is actively doing something about it.

In BC, for example, we started “President’s Forums”. Every year, maybe two or three times per year, we will present one-day forums on topics of professional interest on a break-even basis to enable our members to practice better, happier, and with innovation and purpose. Look for these as they are advertised.

We held our first President’s Forum on March 6 in Victoria, separately from the successful national Mid-Winter Meeting held there March 6-8. Our topic was the Future of Solicitors’ Practice, very ably moderated by Hamish Cameron. It was a great day! We had 150 lawyers in attendance to hear a wide variety of topics ranging from Multidisciplinary Practice, and Holistic Law, to Solicitors in Government, and in Mediation. Participants were from across BC, and all ages and experiences. The response was extremely enthusiastic, and we have been asked to do it again! And to create a Solicitors’ Issues committee to take forward the excellent work of the organizers, participants and speakers. In addition to our great speakers from BC, we were joined by Allan Bogutz, an Elder Law Specialist from Arizona, and Randy Smith, QC from Manitoba (a former Manitoba Branch President). I want to personally thank co-chairs Margaret Ostrowski and Ken Jacques, along with their very capable committee of Chris Holmes, Ralston Alexander, Parker MacCarthy, QC, Mary Anne Waldron, Jane Purdie, QC, and Russell Lusk, QC. We hope to have an edited version of the day’s events soon on videotape, so that those of you who missed this fine event, can see it on re-run. We’ll let you know more details soon.

In the works as a theme for our next President’s Forum is Lawyers and Public, Media and Professional Relations. Please keep your eyes open for announcements. The Forum will likely be held in Vancouver, and we are looking forward to having another success story.

And then there’s Legal Aid. There’s always Legal Aid. As a topic it causes unparalleled concern and consumes unequaled energies from our Association’s members and Executive. Access to legal services, like health care, was once seen as a basic right that should not be denied to anyone for lack of money. Fiscal restraint, increasing population, basic operation costs, government policies, and like pressures have put unrealistic demands on those administering BC’s Legal Aid programs. This is a universal problem, shared by most provinces, and many other countries, but we believe there are options for action.

We are part of a Coalition of concerned citizens and professional groups which have banded together to come up with better solutions to meet the needs of the public and the providers of services. We have been fighting through public meetings, media relations, appeals to the Legal Services Society Board, and lobbying government for fairness and funding. We will continue to fight and continue to look for the support of our members.

Our organization continues to be vital and focused on being the voice of the profession, your voice on issues that affect your daily life and practice. We couldn’t do it without the stalwart efforts of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers; lawyers who care about the profession and those who make it the noble profession it is, full of history and pride of accomplishment. We all benefit from each individual’s effort, and I thank you.

This article was published in the April 1998 issue of BarTalk. © 1998 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.