UBC Law Students Win Internationally
Two UBC law students won the Louis M. Brown International Client Counseling Competition held at UBC in April. The competition, featuring law students from Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States, required sound knowledge of landlord-tenant law, and commercial leasing law. It also required outstanding interpersonal skills.

The winners, Camille Ciarneillo and Doug Dorward, came through regional competitions in North America and emerged as the top Canadian team. They demonstrated “calmness, confidence and an excellent ‘preventive law’ approach to a difficult client situation,” said David Cruickshank, a lawyer at Gowlings in Vancouver and organizer of the competition.

The competition involves meeting a client (played by an actor) for the first time. The students then have 30 minutes to gauge the client’s legal and non-legal concerns and give preliminary advice. Afterwards, the students take 15 minutes to review their advice and plan the next steps.

The team’s coach was Doug Cochran, a Vancouver lawyer. “This is Mr. Cochran’s second international victory for a UBC team—something no other team coach has accomplished since the Competition was founded in 1987,” says Cruickshank. Ciarneillo says she learned practical skills, such as “active listening, and how to approach someone with a difficult problem”, and she says she’ll feel comfortable interviewing clients “right off the bat.” Dorward agrees that the competition gave him confidence in dealing with clients. “So many lawyers I’ve talked to say that dealing with people is one of the most important skills in being a lawyer,” says Dorward. “In that way, the competition served us well.”


Robert H Guile QC Memorial Award
Colleagues of the late Robert H. Guile, QC are in the process of establishing lasting recognition of his wit and flare for the written word. Mr. Guile, QC graduated from the UBC Faculty of Law, and award organizers, headed by Walley P. Lightbody, QC, have decided to bestow the memorial award upon a worthy UBC Law student. Mr. Lightbody, QC requests your aid in helping to establish this award to reflect the “Spirit of Guile.”

The memorial award will go to the winner of an annual Robert H. Guile, QC Memorial Debate, with emphasis on the effective use of humour. A social evening will follow the debate. “Please be generous,” says Mr. Lightbody, QC. “I know this award will create a lasting legal institution in honour of an outstanding colleague.”

Donations may be sent to Connell Lightbody “R. H. Guile Fund,” PO Box 11161, Royal Centre, 1900 - 1500 W. Georgia, Vancouver BC, V6E 4J2.


Lawyers in the Community: Holly Grueger
Horsing around in Terrace
When not working as Managing Partner at Lindsey & Grueger in Terrace, Holly J. Grueger can be found riding a tempermental horse, or perhaps, chasing an ambulance on behalf of a friend. She has been known to do both. Holly, called to the Bar, in 1990 is described as a “ball of fire”, someone who puts her whole self into her interests. Those interests include: Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada; the Terrace 4-H Club; the K’San Society, the Women’s Resource Centre; and Nami, her horse.

Holly volunteers with the Women’s Resource Centre, giving seminars, even when on holiday. “She was on vacation, but did a full day workshop on separation agreements, and one for women just off the street,” says Karla Hennig, who met Holly in 1991. Karla thinks Holly gives more than her time to those who have suffered violence. “She seems to have her heart there, she is never just going through the motions,” says Karla. Marge Brown, of the K’San Society agrees, “Whatever she has shown interest in, it’s easy (for that group) to tap into her expertise, and her energy.” The K’San Society has benefitted from Holly’s generosity: She was a board member of the society, which manages sexual assault counselling, a women’s transition house, and an emergency shelter. Holly left the Board after three years to avoid conflict of interest issues, but still maintains her membership.

With her love of animals, the 4-H Club is a natural volunteering venue for Holly. Vicky Siddal remembers meeting Holly, “I liked her. She’s got a wonderful personality and sense of humour, and she has a great way of dealing with kids.” Terrace 4-H is about more than animals--it gives children the opportunity to practice public speaking and learn life skills. “Holly coaches kids on public speaking for annual public speaking competitions. She’ll talk to them about the competition, tell them about presentation and what the judges look for--she’ll sometimes judge too,” says Vicki.

“Take Back the Night”, organized by and for women, is another cause to which Holly gives her time. “Holly is interested in women’s issues, but her interest is not limited to women,” says Karla. “She’s a people person, any type of person.” Vicki agrees that Holly has broad interests, “Even if it’s something she’s unsure of, she’s always willing to help.”

Karla calls Holly a ‘renaissance person’. “She’s learning piano, three classes per week,” says Karla. “She also takes voice lessons, and is an active member of a book club. Although highly committed to (her job), it is not the be all and end all of her life.” Holly’s horse, it seems, is also very important to her. “Nami,” says Marge, “likes Holly, but likes to throw its riders now and then. (Nami) is spirited--they’re a good match.” When Holly was a member of Crown Counsel, Marge asked Holly if she was enjoying herself. Marge recalls Holly saying, “Yes. I’m a prosecutor. I get to pick fights with people all day long. I love it.” At the time, Marge wondered if Holly was from a big family. She is.

In between volunteering, whether it is collecting tickets at the door of a theatre, coaching children on presentation skills, or talking with people who have suffered violence, Holly finds time for her many friends. They describe her as ‘an extremely loyal friend’ with a great ‘sense of humour’ and ‘exuberance’.

Marge’s husband recently had a heart attack and had to be flown to a hospital outside of Terrace. Marge recalls the terrible stress of the day. Holly went with Marge to the Terrace hospital and then the two friends followed the ambulance to the airport. Marge crossed the tarmac to fearfully say goodbye to her husband, and then returned to the car where Holly sat waiting. Holly looked up, “Now I can say that I’ve really been an ambulance chaser once,” she said. Marge remembers that moment and, thinking of Holly, she smiles.


BC Branch Staff Support Local Charities
If you have dropped by the Branch office on the last Friday of the month, you may have noticed some of the classic signs of “Casual Days”--fewer heels, skirts and ties; more light trousers and tees. By the front desk, you would have read a sign telling all visitors that the Branch staff participates in an employee-designed casual day in order to raise money for charities. Each person pays $5, and at the end of six months the total is given to a charity voted on by all employees. In the first six-month trial period, Branch staff raised $320 and many food items for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Donations for the next six months will be collected on behalf of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. The BC Branch receives public recognition for these efforts, and the staff receive the satisfaction of cool clothes and warm hearts! Congratulations and thanks to all involved.

These articles were published in the August 1998 issue of BarTalk. © 1998 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.