Submitted by Section Chair, Meghan Selinger
Summary of Meetings
Number of Meetings Held:6
October 27, 2016
Guest Speakers: Kimberley Robertson and David Georgetti
Meeting Title/Topic: Bankruptcy, Creditors, Remedies and Getting Paid
Synopsis: The panel of guest speakers discussed principles of bankruptcy and creditors remedies that may arise in family law matters. They also addressed taking steps to ensure counsel's fees are paid and what to do if they are not.
November 23, 2016
Guest Speakers: Paul Albi, Q.C., Kathryn Basran, Tracey Jackson, Larry Kahn Q.C., Dinyar Marzban, Q.C., Maureen Lundell, Q.C., Alison MacLennan, Q.C., Karen Nordlinger, Q.C., and Jeff Rose, Q.C.
Meeting Title/Topic: If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Synopsis: An evening of successful, senior family law practitioners sharing anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom from their decades of practice on a variety of topics, including business development, intake, client management, pro bono by choice and not by choice, discoveries, interacting with the judiciary, surviving a Law Society Discipline Hearing and more.
March 9, 2017
Guest Speakers: The Honourable Mr. Justice Leask - Supreme Court of British Columbia and Warren Wilson Q.C. - Law Society of BC
Meeting Title/Topic: Ethical Issues Frequently Encountered by Family Law Lawyers, Including Dealing with Self-Represented Litigants
Synopsis: Warren Wilson Q.C. and the Honourable Mr. Justice Leask addressed ethical issues frequently encountered by family law lawyers, including issues arising in dealing with self-represented litigants. The presentation included a lengthy Q&A.
April 6, 2017
Guest Speakers: The Honourable Mr. Justice Butler, The Honourable Madam Justice Fleming, Master Scarth and Master McDiarmid
Meeting Title/Topic: Views from the Bench - Dinner Meeting
Synopsis: The annual dinner meeting of the Family Law - Vancouver Section with a panel of esteemed speakers. The Honourable Mr. Justice Butler, The Honourable Madam Justice Fleming, Master Scarth and Master McDiarmid provided Views from the Bench and discussion of topics of interest to the family law bar.
May 18, 2017
Guest Speakers: Mr. Justice G. Bruce Butler - Supreme Court of British Columbia, Penelope Lipsack - Ministry of Justice and William Storey - The Kitsilano Family Law Group
Meeting Title/Topic: Hague Convention 101
Synopsis: A primer on the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
June 22, 2017
Guest Speaker: N/A
Meeting Title/Topic: Strictly Social
Synopsis: Annual social meeting for the Vancouver Family Law Subsection.
Comments and Observations of the Chair
I felt that the section presentations were excellent this year. A number of topics were covered that had not been dealt with in recent years. The section meeting highlighting the expertise and experiences of senior counsel on a more personal level was an outstanding meeting and created a more personal connection between those who attended. The relationships that are fostered through the meetings, including the dinner and social meetings, are invaluable in building a community in the family bar and assist in our practice - it makes it easier to call opposing counsel to discuss a matter when there is a level of familiarity and trust. Some of the difficulties we experienced this year are with respect to the communication with CBA in regards to financial issues. Because it takes time to do the accounting we are usually not clear about our financial situation until well after an event is held.