2024 Program

Welcome to BC Legal Conference Wills, Estates & Trusts 2024!

Seasoned experts explore critical topics such as such as managing inter vivos trusts, advanced tax issues, key case law developments and more.

The conference takes place at the Manteo at Eldorado Resort in Kelowna from May 3-5.

Conference Planning Committee

Tara Britnell, KC | Hamilton Duncan Law Corporation

Jaimie Kidston | Jaimie Kidston Law Office

Amy Mortimore, KC | Clark Wilson LLP

Jacy Wingson, KC | McQuarrie Hunter LLP

Fri, May 3

7:00pm | Welcome Reception

8:00pm
Trivia Showdown
Delve into obscure cases, historical precedents and nuanced legal concepts while enjoying the team spirit among your colleagues. Plus, you can win a prize!

Presenters:
Chelsea Dubeau, Hamilton Duncan
Jaimie Kidston, Jaimie Kidston Law Office

Sat, May 4

8:30am | Breakfast

9:00am | Welcome

9:15am
Tricks and Traps for Preparing and Challenging Inter Vivos Trusts
Scott Kerwin shares his knowledge and practice strategies for working with living trusts. Learn the tricks to preparing and challenging inter vivos trusts to help your clients reach their estate planning goals.

Speakers:
Scott Kerwin, Borden Ladner Gervais
Hugh McLellan, McLellan Herbert, Barristers & Solicitors

10:15am
Advanced Tax Issues in Estates and Trusts
Stay ahead of the curve and explore the latest developments in advanced tax issues. Deliberate on new techniques, regulatory updates, and strategic approaches to optimize tax outcomes for your clients.

Speakers:
Parveen Karsan, McQuarrie Hunter LLP
Nicole Watson, Watson Chartered Professional Accountant Services Inc.

11:15am | Break

11:25am
Antidote to FOMO: Year-in-Review
Are you up to date on the latest developments in wills & estates? In this session, our presenter analyzes the latest case law developments to bring you up to speed!

Speaker: Janis Ko, Associate, Fasken

11:55am
Cutting Edge: Equity and Beyond
In this session, Mike Weintraub, KC pushes the boundaries beyond current practice trends to identify outside the box solutions for your clients.

Speaker: Mark Weintraub, KC, Clark Wilson LLP

12:55pm | Lunch

1:35pm
Keynote Address: Unjust Enrichment at 70
This June marks the 70th anniversary of Deglman v Guaranty Trust Co of Canada [1954] SCR 725, in which the Supreme Court of Canada first recognised “the principle of restitution against what would otherwise be an unjust enrichment of the defendant at the expense of the plaintiff.” After 70 years and an enormous volume of cases and commentary on the subject, there are still a surprising number of unresolved issues concerning the nature of unjust enrichment and the remedies available for it. This presentation will discuss current areas of uncertainty with a focus on the relationship between trusts and unjust enrichment.

Speaker: Professor Robert Chambers, Department Chair of the Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University

6:30pm | Conference Dinner

Sun, May 5

8:30am | Breakfast

9:00am | Welcome

9:10am
Community Resources
Representatives from Alzheimer’s Society of BC highlight the range of support services they provide to your clients, along with tips on how you can help your clients identify the resources they need and work with together.

Speakers: Representatives from Alzheimer’s Society of BC

9:30am
Wills and Trusts Practice: Issues Spotting Roundtable
Speakers and attendees work through various fact patterns to share insights, exchange ideas and identify possible courses of action to navigate common (and often complex) wills and trusts practice issues.

Speakers:
Tara Britnell, KC, Hamilton Duncan Law Corporation
Jaimie Kidston, Jaimie Kidston Law Office
Amy Mortimore, KC, Clark Wilson LLP
Jacy Wingson, KC, McQuarrie Hunter LLP

11:00am
Cyberfraud & Indemnity Claims: Lessons Learned & Best Practices
Maryanne Prohl of the Lawyers Indemnity Fund reveals lessons learned from actual LIF wills & estates claim files and shares tips on how to avoid common mistakes. Learn what you need to know about your indemnity policy and how to watch for the latest cybercrimes targeting lawyers today.

Speaker: Maryanne Prohl, Lawyers Indemnity Fund

Order of presentations may be subject to change.