The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia (CLEBC)

03/10/2025

Drafting family law agreements just got easier. 📑✨

No more scrambling for the right wording—CLEBC’s Family Law Agreements: Annotated Precedents gives you a solid foundation with expertly crafted sample clauses, insightful commentary, and essential tax advisories from top BC family law practitioners.

The new 2025 update is here, packed with the latest guidance to help you draft with confidence and efficiency. Build a reliable collection of clauses, explore a range of options, and ensure tax considerations are covered—all in one trusted resource.

🔹 Get your copy today! Download a sample and order here: www.cle.bc.ca/802

A huge thank you to the incredible contributors who made this edition possible! 👏

03/08/2025

💜 Happy International Women’s Day! 💜

Today, we celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in law—trailblazers who break barriers, shape justice, and champion equality in British Columbia and beyond. Your dedication, expertise, and leadership pave the way for a more inclusive legal profession and a fairer society for all.

We're both honoured and privileged to work alongside such talented women in law each and every day. 👩‍⚖️⚖️🌍

03/07/2025

🔹 Take your mediation skills to the next level! 🔹

Refine your expertise with Mediation Skills Level 2, happening April 7–9. This hands-on course goes beyond the basics, offering advanced techniques, real-world scenarios, and 10+ hours of roleplay practice to sharpen your approach.

✔️ Master pre-mediation meetings & joint session facilitation
✔️ Adapt strategies for complex cases & online mediation
✔️ Elevate your practice with expert-led training

📅 Early Bird pricing ends Monday! Mediate BC Roster members save 20%.

Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/3EqgHS8

03/06/2025

📢 The 2025 Employment Law Conference is coming!

Mark your calendar for May 1–2 and join top practitioners at BC’s premier employment law event. From AI in the workplace to globalization and evolving diversity standards, get the latest insights on the trends shaping the field.

✅ Stay ahead of key developments
✅ Connect with peers and industry leaders
✅ Earn your CPD credits

Attend Day 1, Day 2, or both for the full experience!

🔗 Secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/4inJXbU

03/05/2025

Can the Crown use traditional knowledge shared in consultations against Indigenous peoples in court? Recent cases highlight the fight to protect this knowledge under case-by-case privilege.

Explore how the law is evolving to safeguard Indigenous rights and reconciliation with CLEBC’s latest Practice Point.

"Protecting Traditional Knowledge as Privileged" was presented by Michelle Bradley, Ava Murphy, and Alexis Giannelia of Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP at CLEBC's 2024 Aboriginal Law Conference.

This paper explores the protection of Indigenous traditional knowledge as privileged information and examines legal recognition, disclosure requirements, case law, and future protections.

Access it now and stay ahead in your practice: https://bit.ly/41jQL2g

ICYMI the 2024 edition of the Aboriginal Law Conference will be rebroadcast on Thursday, March 6, as part of CLEBC's Jump Start on CPD series. You can still sign up here: https://rb.gy/03wovm

03/05/2025

We're excited to celebrate a series of new judicial appointments in British Columbia this week, highlighting ongoing efforts to promote excellence, transparency, and diversity in Canada's judiciary! We’re also proud to see several CLEBC contributors among the newly announced appointees!

✨ Federal Judicial Appointments:

The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has announced several esteemed appointments under the judicial application process:

🔹 Appointments to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia:

• The Honourable Lisa A. Warren
• The Honourable Andrew P. Mayer

🔹 Appointments to the Supreme Court of British Columbia:

• The Honourable C. Richard Hewson
• The Honourable Lorianna Bennett
• John N. Walker
• Richard S. Fowler, KC
• Mark G. Underhill, KC

✨ Provincial Court Judges Appointments:

The Government of British Columbia has also appointed four new Provincial Court judges to enhance access to justice:

• Ariana Ward (effective March 28, 2025)
• James Henry (effective March 21, 2025)
• Brian Dybwad (effective March 21, 2025)
• Mylene de Guzman (effective March 28, 2025)

These new appointments will play an essential role in improving access to justice across the province. So please join us in congratulating them all! 👏 👏 👏

03/05/2025

Understanding business valuation reports is essential for providing sound legal advice to your clients. Whether you're new to business valuations or looking to deepen your expertise, our two-part course series has you covered.

Introduction to Business Valuations for Lawyers (April 29) will equip you with foundational knowledge, helping you interpret valuation reports with confidence. Then, take your skills to the next level with Advanced Business Valuations for Lawyers (May 27), where you'll tackle complex valuation issues, industry-specific approaches, and key considerations in legal disputes.

Register for one or both courses and enhance your ability to navigate business valuations with ease.

Early Bird pricing is available for both sessions now!

👉 Save your spot: https://bit.ly/4h07xsY

03/04/2025

📖 Stay current with Annotated Estates Practice, your go-to guide for wills and estates law in BC—now updated for 2025!

With expert annotations on key statutes, rules, and regulations, this trusted resource keeps you informed, whether you're in the office or on the go. Available in both print and online formats, it’s the portable library every estates lawyer needs.

🔎 Preview a free sample and order your copy today: www.cle.bc.ca/848

A heartfelt thank you to all the contributors who made this edition possible!

03/04/2025

📢 Next week, join top legal minds for Defamation, Privacy, and Media Law as they unpack the latest shifts in this evolving field. With digital platforms blurring borders and anti-SLAPP laws reshaping the legal landscape, staying ahead is crucial.

On Thursday, March 13, this one-day CLEBC webinar will bring you up to speed on key developments—defamation injunctions, qualified privilege, and international reforms making their way to Canada. Gain practical strategies from leading counsel and sharpen your approach to complex cases.

Time is running out—secure your spot today!

👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/40oTWX8

03/03/2025

This month, the CLEBC Spotlight shines on Jessica Proudfoot—a legal professional whose journey to Aboriginal law was shaped by a desire to do work that aligns with her values.

As a lawyer at Woodward & Company, Jessica recently co-chaired CLEBC’s 2024 Aboriginal Law Conference, an experience she describes as nothing short of “fabulous.”

“I had forgotten how great it is to attend a conference in person,” she tells us. “The day offered so many opportunities to connect with old friends and new acquaintances and to learn about interesting corners of the law that I wouldn’t have been exposed to in my day-to-day practice.”

Jessica’s path to Aboriginal law wasn’t a straight one. After years in commercial litigation, she found herself feeling disconnected from the work. “I grew weary of advancing arguments and representing clients that were not aligned with my values and worldviews.”

Making the switch has allowed her to take on files that matter to her, giving her more space to enjoy life outside of work.

Jessica’s biggest lesson from her career? “The best—and worst—part of this profession is that no matter how long you’ve been doing it, there’s always something new to learn.”

While some days bring excitement, others bring fatigue. But mentorship has become a deeply rewarding part of her practice: “It’s immensely gratifying to support junior lawyers as they develop into capable counsel and colleagues. And it’s not a one-way street—I am learning too.”

When she’s not practicing law, Jessica is passionate about “making empathy cool again,” protecting kids from climate insecurity, and amplifying acts of self-determination—plus five-pin bowling, cross-country skiing, and a good cold plunge.

📌 Read Jessica’s full Q&A here: www.cle.bc.ca/jessica-proudfoot

ICYMI the 2024 edition of the Aboriginal Law Conference will be rebroadcast on Thursday, March 6, as part of CLEBC's Jump Start on CPD series. You can still sign up here: https://rb.gy/03wovm

02/28/2025

Following the first part of our much-attended Implementing Innovation in Legal Practice program, round two is right around the corner!

On Thursday, March 6, we’re pleased to present Implementing Innovation II: People-Centered Management Strategies — a session that will give you strategies for optimizing performance and enhancing retention.

The agenda will include:

✅ Innovative People Management Practices – A panel discussion on flexible work structures, performance metrics, mentorship strategies, compensation models, and more.
✅ Utilizing Non-lawyer Staff– Learn from professionals who have successfully integrated non-lawyer staff to enhance firm efficiency and services.

The day will conclude with an interactive discussion forum for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and discussing common challenges.

If you have yet to register for this half-day webinar, space is still available!

Save your spot: https://bit.ly/3EOH6t1

02/28/2025

🚀 AI is revolutionizing legal work—but how do you balance efficiency with oversight?

Watch this clip from the CLEBC webinar Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors, as Ali Sodagar breaks down how AI tools are transforming research, drafting, and discovery.

Don't miss these insights on how to work smarter—without losing control.

📺 Watch his presentation below.

And if you missed Tuning Up Your Law Firm: Best Practices for Solicitors, this program will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, March 5, as part of CLEBC's Jump Start on CPD series. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/3TKsdwZ

Artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice—but how do you harness its power while maintaining oversight? In this clip from the CLEBC webinar Tuni...

02/27/2025

🚀 Ready to elevate your career? CLEBC is on the lookout for an Executive Administrative Assistant to join our team!

Learn more about the role and apply here: www.cle.bc.ca/careers/executive-administrative-assistant

Don't miss your chance to be part of our innovative team!

02/27/2025

When conflict arises, do you find yourself reacting—or responding with purpose?

As legal professionals, we navigate high-stakes situations where conflict can escalate quickly. But what if, instead of feeling drained by these moments, you could harness them to build understanding and cooperation?

Join us on Tuesday, April 1, for Engaging Conflict in the Moment: Using Curiosity to Turn Conflict into Cooperation. This interactive, one-day workshop will equip you with tools to approach conflict with curiosity—helping you uncover motivations, defuse tension, and steer conversations toward better outcomes.

Through hands-on learning, you’ll gain strategies to:

✅ Reduce stress and de-escalate disputes
✅ Communicate effectively in challenging interactions
✅ Turn resistance into collaboration

Take your conflict resolution skills to the next level—transform tension into opportunity.

Act fast—our Early Bird deadline is Tuesday!

👉 Secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3WCNf1o

02/26/2025

🚀 Get a head start on your CPD! CLEBC’s Jump Start on CPD series returns March 3–7, making it easy to earn your credits early and stress-free.

Choose from a stellar lineup of rebroadcasts featuring some of our most popular courses, including:

⚖️ Human Rights Law Conference 2024
🏛️ Western Canada Class Actions Conference 2024
🔎 The New Money Judgment Enforcement Act: A Preview
🏠 Residential Real Estate Conference 2024
✨ How to Be a Great Litigation Junior
🌿 Aboriginal Law Conference 2024

Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go, these courses are just a click away.

Sign up here: www.cle.bc.ca/jump-start-2025