Submitted by Section Co-Chair, Clodagh O'Connell
Summary of Meetings
Number of Meetings Held: 5
October 23, 2014
Guest Speakers: Bill Preston, Bill Preston Counselling, Deborah Hollins, Nanaimo Family Life Association, Isabel Vangrootheest, Rainbows Nanaimo, Courtney Wylie, Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre and Jonathon Van Der Goes, Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre
Meeting Title/Topic: Helping Clients Manage Emotions
Synopsis: Panel discussion from diverse service providers.
November 25, 2014
Guest Speakers: Stephen Struthers, DBA, Investor's Group and Philip Birrer, CA, Barber & Haime Chartered Accountants
Meeting Title/Topic: Financial Planning and Tax Tips for the Newly Separated Client
February 12, 2015
Guest Speaker: William R. Rutledge, CPA, CGA, Notary Public
Meeting Title/Topic: Marraige Breakdown & Estate Planning
Synopsis: Estate tips from notary with background in family law issues.
April 23, 2015
Guest Speaker: The Honourable Judge Gouge, BC Provincial Court
Meeting Title/Topic: Settling Employment Files – tips to ensure your cover all the bases.
Synopsis: Mr. Adams provided practical advice on matters to consider on both sides of employment files when working through them and toward resolution.
May 20, 2015
Guest Speakers: Joan Cotie
Meeting Title/Topic: Mediation, Arbitration and Parenting Coordination: What Family Lawyers Need to Know & CBA Family Subsection Elections
Comments and Observations of the Chair
As co-chair found this excellent opportunity to bring experts in to speak on issues that are important to my own practice and finding that these issues were same as my colleagues. it was a way, in a sense to craft year-long session of the ideal workshops. found that members of bench and community experts were all more than willing to come and share information and that informal setting of lunch made for some excellent conversations which got deeper than a regularly structured workshop would. also a great way to connect with colleagues, share information and find out about resources.