Summary of Meetings: Family Law – Vancouver Island
Number of Meetings Held: 8
October 23, 2024
Registration Count: 34
Guest Speakers: Erin Brook
Meeting Title/Topic: High Conflict Files
Synopsis: Erin Brook leads an interactive discussion all about high conflict files. She will cover the basics like what high conflict files are, how to identify them, and how to manage them, and then move into more complex topics like what ethical issues arise, how to set boundaries and prevent burn-out, and maintaining professional relationships throughout.
January 23, 2025
Registration Count: 51
Guest Speakers: Elise Schopper-Brigel, Karen Henry
Meeting Title/Topic: Mediation Essential How-Tos
Synopsis: Attend this how-to session on general and more complex procedural and substantive issues including: how to deal with incomplete disclosure; allegations of family violence when they are being denied; rigid thinking by clients and/or counsel, and more
March 13, 2025
Registration Count: 54
Guest Speakers: Kristine Challenger, Joanne Platt, Samantha de Wit
Meeting Title/Topic: Family Law Primer: BC Family Maintenance Agency
Synopsis: This presentation provides an overview of BCFMA policy and interpretation relevant to family law practitioners of all levels.
April 1, 2025
Registration Count: 35
Guest Speakers: Beatriz Contreras, Katherine LeReverend
Meeting Title/Topic: Disclosure Orders from the Directors Perspective
Synopsis: Beatriz Contreras and Katherine LeReverend discuss the procedures that need to be engaged when seeking records from the Director of Child, Family and Community Service (the Director) or the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
May 1, 2025
Registration Count: 41
Guest Speakers: Darlene Chevrier, Shayne McDonald
Meeting Title/Topic: Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act - Information from The First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Synopsis: Darlene Chevrier, Matrimonial Real Property Program Coordinator, and Shayne McDonald, ATL/QC Regional, give an overview of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act and their work in the area of matrimonial real property.
May 15, 2025
Registration Count: 30
Guest Speakers: Alyson Jones
Meeting Title/Topic: Therapeutic Interventions for High Conflict and Reunification Cases
Synopsis: Alyson Jones has a long history working on high conflict cases with complex family dynamics. This practical presentation explores the steps that can be taken when dealing with complex cases, and the therapeutic interventions that may or may not be applicable for these families.
May 28, 2025
Registration Count: 31
Guest Speakers: Rebecca Alleyne, Brooke MacLeod
Meeting Title/Topic: Litigator to Mediator
Synopsis: Rebecca Alleyne and Brooke MacLeod discuss how and when they decided to become mediators, and how they each transitioned from counsel to mediator.
June 26, 2025
Registration Count: TBA
Guest Speakers: Michelle Kinney, Christine Murray
Meeting Title/Topic: Fertility Law – Case Law Updates, Resources Updates, and Emerging Issues
Synopsis: Michelle Kinney and Christine Murray review case law developments in fertility law over the last year and new resources for fertility law practitioners, including the new fertility law chapter in the CLEBC Practice Manual