Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors 2024

Course Chairs
Timothy J. Lack — Redpoint Law LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. LeBeau — LeBeau Law, Coquitlam

About the Course Chairs
Tim Lack has been the responsible lawyer for over 8,000 real estate transactions, acting for banks, credit unions and many other institutional and private lenders. His work with private lenders is extensive and he has been asked to provide expert opinions on private lending issues for litigation lawyers. He has lectured on several occasions to other lawyers on this subject.

On the real estate side of his practice, Tim has been involved in residential and commercial conveyancing, land assemblies, office and industrial leasing, including landlord and tenant disputes. As part of his real estate development work, Tim has counselled clients from acquisition, through development and to final sales on condo projects, including mixed use and hotel developments.

Tim represents hundreds of clients in all areas of business and commercial deals and is well experienced in the issues surrounding the purchase and sale of businesses.

Finally, his wills and estates practice continues to grow and Tim prides himself on providing delicate and trusted advice to his clients in this area of law.

Michael LeBeau brings more than a decade of experience in BC real estate and Canadian immigration law. His reassuring manner will put you at ease and his experience will help you achieve your goals. Michael graduated from UBC School of Law in 2007, after having received the academic Prize for Achievement in Immigration Law. He articled at one of Vancouver's premier immigration law firms and, in December 2007 he joined the team at UBC's Centre for Intercultural Communication and was a teaching assistant and occasional instructor for the Certificate in Immigration: Laws, Policies and Procedures.

Michael founded LeBeau Law in May 2008 and has built a strong and steadfast reputation in both immigration law and real estate. Michael is a member of the Law Society of BC and of the CBA, Immigration and Real Property Sections. Michael lives in Coquitlam with his wife and precocious young son.

Faculty
David J. Bilinsky — Barrister & Solicitor (Retired), Vancouver
Larry S. Blaschuk — Registrar of Land Titles, Land Title and Survey Authority of BC, New Westminster
Barbara K. Buchanan, KC — Practice Advisor, Conduct and Ethics, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Bo Carter — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
Guyle Clark — Clark Woods LLP, Coquitlam
Malcolm B. Funt — Bojm, Funt & Gibbons LLP, Vancouver
Roger Holland — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Shahnaz Jamal — Jamal Law Group, Vancouver 
Derek C. LaCroix, KC — Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program of BC, Vancouver
Maryanne Prohl — Director, Risk Management, Lawyers Indemnity Fund, Vancouver
Ali Sodagar — Sodagar & Company Law Corporation, Vancouver 
Karanbir Thind — Clark Woods LLP, Coquitlam
Max E. Wolinsky — Coal Harbour Law, Vancouver
Eli Zbar — Arora Zbar LLP, Vancouver

Click here for full faculty bios

• A Q+A on
  • hiring staff
  • training staff
  • retaining staff
  • HR issues
  • post-COVID workplace environment

• location: attracting and retaining lawyers in smaller communities
• compensation
• stress and burnout/happiness and wellbeing (i.e., work-life balance or harmony)
• management issues
• opportunities/lack of opportunities for career growth
• community, firm culture and values

• lawyers trained outside of Canada: qualifying for bar admission
• programs in Canadian common law jurisdictions
• National Committee of Accreditation: process, timelines, and pathways
• immigration status: hand-in-hand with the accreditation process

• corporate records
• general pricing points for fees for services
• corporate commercial, business sector
• building your community as a solo practitioner

• the big picture for lawyers and tech
• bracing for real change
• how not to get lost in the tech advances

• an exploration of AI, its role in law, and its impact on legal procedures
• implications of AI on data security and algorithmic bias
• evolving practical standards in conjunction with technology
• exploring proactive collaboration between legal professionals and technologists 

• cultivating a process-oriented approach to technology implementation in your firm
• what is a tech stack and why do you need one?
• what to think about before changing or augmenting your tech stack
• pricing your tech stack: are you overpaying?

• limited scope retainers
• deciding what level of due diligence
• balancing costs vs. the "complete checklist"
• defining the service you are providing
• how to document and use checklists

• the importance of building connection and community in order to avoid isolation
• the importance of volunteerism and mentorship; mentoring and being mentored
• some resources

• update on Law Society Rule changes
• resources

• when things go wrong and you need to litigate: what every solicitor should know
• shoring up your client's position
• ensuring your file is "bullet proof"

• what to know about what you don't know!
• areas of law that you need to be wary of even if you are a solicitor

• recent system enhancement
• stakeholder insights
• how LTSA is working to maintain the security and accessibility of the land title system
• avoiding common defects, and more

• learn about actual funds transfer frauds that hit BC law firms
• how to avoid being the next victim 
• what to do if you become a victim and coverage for funds transfer frauds

• financial, lifestyle, and other considerations in planning for your retirement
• consequences of an injury, illness or disability on your retirement plan
• build a bridge before you have to cross it

• practical tips on how to avoid burnout
• resources available when you need help
• identifying early warning signs