Fuel your growth

Civil Litigation

Insolvency 101 for Civil Litigators

Daniel Nugent and Heather McCann deliver an informative presentation covering main issues which arise at the intersection of civil litigation and insolvency while providing litigators with practical advice on navigating the insolvency of the defendant (both before and after the music stops).

ADR - Nanaimo

Transformative Mediation

Join Louise Phipps Senft, Founder and CEO, Baltimore Mediation, is an attorney and recognized transformative mediator, who shares her knowledge and expertise. She draws on her extensive experience in family law, commercial disputes, and healthcare matters.

Legal Research

Core Skills and New Tools for Legal Research

As AI becomes more common in legal research, mastering essential research skills and learning how to confidently incorporate AI into your workflow is key. Join Nolan Hurlburt, Yu-Sen (Sam) Zhai, and Husayn Jamal to discuss and compare legal research AI with general-purpose AI, highlighting where each fits. They also share key considerations for firm policies, confidentiality, and data retention when using commercial versus public AI tools for legal research.

Fertility Law

Assisted Human Reproduction Act - Engagement Session

CBABC’s Fertility Law Section is seeking input from members to inform a push for changes to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act and its regulations.

CBABC & VBA

Maritime Law Dinner 2026

Come aboard for the Annual Maritime Law Section Dinner, an evening where legal professionals gather to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate the maritime legal community.

Immigration Law

Overseas Lawyers Group (November)

An informal roundtable discussion and a longstanding favourite. Exchange insights and hear what immigration practitioners are facing in their day-to-day clients and files.

Legal Research

BCLI's Guide to Trauma-Informed Legal Writing

Alison Wilkinson introduces British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) ’s Guide to Trauma-Informed Legal Writing. She explores best practices for writing clearly and accessibly, avoiding assumptions and biases, and using empathetic and respectful language. Participants learn how trauma-informed writing can help reduce harm, foster trust collaboration, and contribute to a more equitable legal system.

Insurance Law

Emond v Trillium 2026 SCC 3: The Interpretation of Standard Form Insurance Policies

Gordon Hilliker, K.C. retired lawyer, discusses the Supreme Court of Canada's new framework for the interpretation of standard form insurance policies.

Charities and Not-for-Profit Law

Federal and Provincial Lobbying Law for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

Guy Giorno provides an overview of how federal and British Columbia lobbying legislation applies to charities and not-for-profit organizations. Topics include regulated communications, registration responsibilities, exceptions, grants, when public appeals constitute federal lobbying, the overlap between PPDDAs and lobbying laws, enforcement, and best practices.

CBABC

Yale County Bench & Bar Dinner 2026

Join solicitors, litigators, and judges from across Yale County for an evening of connection and camaraderie, plus a live performance by Pleading Hearts, the 2026 Battle of the Bar Band Okanagan champions.

Animal Law

Canadian Food Inspection Agency vs Universal Ostrich Farms: The Culling of Ostriches

Umar Sheikh focuses on the legal proceedings between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, BC concerning the culling of ostriches. 

Immigration Law

A World of Connections

Meet up with Victoria immigration practitioners. Bring your ideas, discuss challenging cases, and make lasting connections.

Mergers & Acquisitions

M&A Litigation Update

Joe Ensom and Kyle Thompson, Poulus Ensom Smith LLP, provide an update on recent litigation relevant to M&A transactions and practitioners. Understand how disputes arise during and after business acquisitions, how courts interpret contractual provisions, and how legal risks can be minimized when structuring and negotiating transactions

Aboriginal Law - Vancouver

The Future of the Framework Agreement

Hear from Virginia Coulthard, Andrew Beynon, Patti Wight, Denise Unger, and Amy Jo Scherman as they review potential amendments to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management and examine the implications these changes may have.

Internationally Trained Lawyers

Discover the Courthouse Library: A Study Group and Networking Morning

Join the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC), Courthouse Libraries BC, and the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC (FACL BC) for a collaborative study group designed to support your legal studies, strengthen your research skills, and connect with fellow participants. The session begins with a brief introduction by a courthouse librarian, highlighting the library's resources and offering guidance on how to make the most of them. Participants then enjoy dedicated time for independent study, research, and peer collaboration. Whether you are preparing for NCA exams or working on legal research for clients, this session offers an opportunity to learn alongside peers and build meaningful connections.

Real Property

Understanding Certificates of Pending Litigation

Liza Volpiana, Partner, Sampson Davie Fane Volpiana LLP, and Ola Stoklosa, Senior Associate, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, provide an overview on the role of Certificates of Pending Litigation (CPLs), their implications for real estate transactions and disputes and the practical considerations lawyers should keep in mind when advising clients and more.

CBABC

Surviving your Trust Audit

Take the advice of a solo firm entrepreneur, Dimple Kainth, and chartered professional accountant, Justin Wright, as they discuss how to get ahead of an audit, what to do if your firm is selected and frameworks that better support compliance.

Construction Law

A New Era of Construction Payment: BC Construction Prompt Payment Act Meets Ontario’s Reality

Zach Seymour of Dentons Vancouver and Laura Delemere of Borden Ladner Gervais Toronto unpack key topics, including payment timelines, notice requirements, adjudication processes, construction contracts and dispute resolution, reflecting on the potential implications for construction lawyers and industry stakeholders by drawing on Ontario’s experience living with prompt payment legislation

Employment Law

Post-Waksdale Update: Termination Clauses in BC

Sylvia Nicholles, Ascent Employment Law Corporation, and Sebastian Chern, Howard Chern Employment Law, review the recent Baker and Li decisions and discuss what they mean for employment contracts in British Columbia.

Family Law - Kamloops

Expanding Your DivorceMate Toolkit: Advanced Features for Family Lawyers

Discover how DivorceMate can do more than calculate support. Christine Montgomery shares practical tips for using advanced features, including restructuring, life insurance security, section 7 expenses, and other tools that can enhance family law practice.

Aboriginal Law - Vancouver Island

Rooted in Community, United in Practice

Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to Aboriginal Law, join this opportunity to meet colleagues in a casual and welcoming atmosphere. Share insights, expand your network, and build lasting professional connections over an evening of meaningful conversation.

In-House Lawyers

Something Doesn't Seem Right: What Happens Next?

Join Lilac Bosma, Senior Legal Executive and Trusted Advisor, Southern Law, as she dives into internal investigations. She’ll discuss how in-house counsel can properly strategize, maintain privilege, manage the crisis, while enhancing the company’s culture and credibility.

CBABC

Scaling Up for Success

Firm leaders Kara Duncand and James Gill reflect on how they knew they were ready to evolve and how they went about scaling their firms up. Learn how to assess capacity, profitability and potential risks when making these moves yourself.

Young Lawyers - Victoria

Monthly Networking (December)

Join the Young Lawyers Section for casual networking at The Sticky Wicket (Strathcona Hotel). All early career lawyers, articling students, and law students are welcome! This opportunity to mix and mingle with peers is hosted on the first Tuesday of every month during the Section term.

Fertility Law, Immigration Law

Family Building Abroad

Amandeep Hayer offers insights on the current situation involving citizenship by descent for children born abroad including recent changes due to Bill C-3. Fertility lawyer, Kathleen Adams, complements the discussion with an overview of the current landscape of international surrogacy and practical considerations for intended Canadian parents who plan to apply for citizenship on behalf of their children born abroad.

Advancing Reconciliation

Assessing BC's Reconciliation Reality

Live Rebroadcast. Heiltsuk-Tsimshian Nations and Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nation lawyer, Merle Alexander, KC, examines where the Reconciliation landscape is today with a review of the Building Canada Act, UNDRIP implementation, and Aboriginal title.

Business of Law

Surviving your Trust Audit

Live Rebroadcast. Take the advice of a solo firm entrepreneur, Dimple Kainth, and chartered professional accountant, Justin Wright, as they discuss how to get ahead of an audit, what to do if your firm is selected and frameworks that better support compliance.

Civil Litigation - Okanagan, Civil Litigation, Family Law - Okanagan

Rules Update: Navigating the Changes to Chambers Practice

Live Rebroadcast. Join Justice William Veenstra, Tim Delaney, KC, and Daniel MacNeill to discuss the changes to Rule 8-1 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 10-6 of the Supreme Court Family Rules coming into effect on October 1, 2026.

Business of Law

Scaling Up for Success

Live Rebroadcast. Firm leaders Kara Duncand and James Gill reflect on how they knew they were ready to evolve and how they went about scaling their firms up. Learn how to assess capacity, profitability and potential risks when making these moves yourself.

In-House Lawyers

This is Privileged, Right?

Live Rebroadcast. This session highlights critical issues for in-house counsel, including identifying the client, distinguishing legal advice from business advice, understanding the waiving of privilege, and maintaining privilege during internal investigations.

Wills, Estate & Trusts

Year in Review

Live Rebroadcast. Updating your practice calls for a recap of all the latest happenings in the field of wills, estates and trusts. From significant legislation updates and key litigation decisions to noteworthy and unusual cases, this session covers the practical implications lawyers want to know. Hear from a panel of early-career Victoria lawyers as they summarize the past year and discuss the rollover effects.

Elder Law

Law Society Tribunal Decisions: Lawyers’ Obligations When Acting for Elderly Clients with Diminished Capacity

Live Rebroadcast. Alina Morrissey, Discipline Counsel, Law Society of British Columbia, examines recent Law Society Tribunal decisions involving lawyers acting for elderly clients with diminished capacity.

Legal Research

Core Skills and New Tools for Legal Research

Live Rebroadcast. As AI becomes more common in legal research, mastering essential research skills and learning how to confidently incorporate AI into your workflow is key. Join Nolan Hurlburt, Yu-Sen (Sam) Zhai, and Husayn Jamal to discuss and compare legal research AI with general-purpose AI, highlighting where each fits. They also share key considerations for firm policies, confidentiality, and data retention when using commercial versus public AI tools for legal research.

Family Law - Okanagan

O’Connor v. Mills: A Garden of Forking Paths

Live Rebroadcast. Join Alex Boland and Derek Sanders for a mind-bending discussion of exclusions, tracing, and changes in value in the wake of O’Connor v. Mills.

Administrative Law

Admin Law 101: Issues Regarding Procedural Fairness

Live Rebroadcast. Let's go back to basics! Jeffrey Hernaez, Counsel, Olthuis van Ert, and Paul Kressock, Partner, Lawson Lundell, discuss recent application of foundational cases, focusing on procedural fairness issues in administrative law and judicial reviews.

Senior Counsel

H@cked! Experience a Live (Simulated) Cyber Attack

Live Rebroadcast. McCarthy Tétrault’s Cyber/Data group takes you through a simulation of a cyber attack, focusing on the role of the legal team. You’ll get to experience what it’s like to give real-time legal advice on breach reporting, privilege, risk mitigation, confidentiality and more.

CBABC

Diversity on the Bench 2026

Live Rebroadcast. Great judges are defined by more than just legal knowledge. Build your application with a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Provincial and Supreme Court judge and what decision-makers are looking for beyond credentials.

BC Legal Institute & CBABC

Pension Division Q&A: Breakdown of a Relationship in British Columbia

Live Rebroadcast. A practical overview of the Questions and Answers about Pension Division on the Breakdown of a Relationship in British Columbia guide, lead by Beatrice McCutcheon and Colin Galinksi. This session is specially curated for family lawyers.

Real Property

Navigating Pre-Sale Disputes: Issues and Insights from Experts

Live Rebroadcast. Camelia Alikashani, Watson Goepel LLP, Layne Hellrung, Cook Roberts LLP, Nerissa Yan, Yan Muirhead LLP, and Wes McMillan, Allan McMillan Law Corporation, address a discrete topic arising from presale disputes. The discussion focuses on practical considerations, recent case law, and strategic insights for counsel acting for purchasers, developers, or other stakeholders.

Workplace Investigations

Investigating Gender-Based Harassment and Masculine Workplace Culture

Live Rebroadcast. Robert Richler, Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP, provides investigators with a practical, evidence-based framework focused on words, triggers, patterns and consequence.

Advancing Reconcilliation

The Stand Against Indigenous Racism

Live Rebroadcast. Led by Marissa McIntyre of Len Pierre Consulting, this anti-racism training session explores allyship in the context of Indigenous Peoples, while identifying strategies for discussing racism and cultural safety in non-combative ways with your team.

Construction Law

Critical Path, Critical Conversations: Construction Delay Claims

Live Rebroadcast. Join John Logan, KC, Partner, Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, and Kerry Short, Senior Counsel, Mediator & Arbitrator, Cornish Margolis Boyd, as they discuss challenges of mediating delay claims, preparing for mediation, and mediation dynamics and techniques.

Mind Matters

Moving Beyond the Stigma

Live Rebroadcast. Staying silent isn’t helping anyone. Leaders in law speak honestly about the line between advocacy and bullying, anxiety’s impact and offer suggestions to achieve mental well-being.

Business of Law

AI in the Small Firm

Live Rebroadcast. Small law firms in B.C. now have access to a range of AI tools, and using them well depends on an understanding of both the technology and the professional obligations that accompany it. An AI governance & risk professional, Michael Litchfield, examines practical applications of AI in two areas: firm operations and legal practice.

Children's Law

Children's Capacity and Privacy Interests

Live Rebroadcast. Suzette Narbonne, KC, and Jade Buchanan examine evolving legal issues surrounding children's participation in decision-making, their privacy rights, and the challenges practitioners face when balancing protection, autonomy, and access to information.

Wills and Trusts - Vancouver

The Problem of the Missing Person

Live Rebroadcast. Catherine Bunio explores legal procedures and practical strategies for navigating these unusual circumstances, including passing over an executor, dispensing with P1 notice, and bringing proceedings under the Presumption of Death Act or Estates of Missing Persons Act.

Business Law

Contract Law Update for Commercial Practitioners

Live Rebroadcast. Lawson Lundell's Lisa A. Peters, K.C., Senior Counsel, and Catherine Whitehead, Partner, review key decisions that have significantly developed or clarified the law of contract or notably reaffirmed longstanding contractual principles while at the same time illustrating their practical application.

Insolvency Law, Real Property

From Default to Foreclosure: Navigating Distressed Real Estate Transactions in BC

Live Rebroadcast. Camelia Alikashani, Watson Goepel LLP, Layne Hellrung, Cook Roberts LLP, Nerissa Yan, Yan Muirhead LLP, and Wes McMillan, Allan McMillan Law Corporation, address a discrete topic arising from presale disputes. The discussion focuses on practical considerations, recent case law, and strategic insights for counsel acting for purchasers, developers, or other stakeholders.

CBABC

Strategies for Persuasive Writing

Live Rebroadcast. Dr. Lisa Surridge hosts a hands-on workshop that will help you write with greater precision and impact. Whether preparing pleadings, factums, contracts, or emails, discover practical techniques to make writing more effective and easier to read.

Aboriginal Law - Vancouver

Aboriginal Case Law – Annual Review with Robert Janes, KC

Live Rebroadcast. 2025 has been a landmark year for Aboriginal law. Please join Robert Janes, KC, as he reviews what came down in 2025 – and what might be on the horizon for 2026. This insightful review is a must for anyone practicing in this ever-evolving area of law.

Business of Law

The Art of Client Attraction

Live Rebroadcast. Adopt practical strategies to balance your billable work with business development and build a steady flow of clients.

Human Rights Law

Annual B.C. Human Rights Tribunal Update

Live Rebroadcast. BC Human Rights Tribunal Chair, Emily Ohler, KC, and Vice Chair, Devyn Cousineau, provide attendees with an annual update from the Tribunal. Topics include the Tribunal's current pressures, new processes, and complaint timelines.

Immigration Law

Overseas Lawyers Group (January)

An informal roundtable discussion and a longstanding favourite. Exchange insights and hear what immigration practitioners are facing in their day-to-day clients and files.

Charities and Not-for-Profit Law

Meet Your Community!

Kick off the new year with great conversations, new connections, and familiar faces! Join your community for a fun and relaxed opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, reconnect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and spark new relationships. Let’s start the year on a high note and make new connections together!

Immigration Law

BC PNP Update

PNP officials provide a focused briefing on recent program changes, a look back at last year’s nomination stats, and practical insights for your practice. The session wraps with an interactive Q&A to address your clients’ most pressing issues.

Immigration Law

Overseas Lawyers Group (February)

An informal roundtable discussion and a longstanding favourite. Exchange insights and hear what immigration practitioners are facing in their day-to-day clients and files.

Immigration Law

Overseas Lawyers Group (April)

An informal roundtable discussion and a longstanding favourite. Exchange insights and hear what immigration practitioners are facing in their day-to-day clients and files.