PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

EMAIL: PD@CBABC.ORG WEBSITE: CBAPD.ORG

With recommended safety measures in place across British Columbia to maintain social distancing to prevent the pervasive spread and transmission of COVID-19, the legal profession has faced unprecedented times, which has challenged the traditional means by which law is practised.

In support of your work, CBABC has a full suite of webinars to meet our commitment to deliver current information and resources, ensuring you are up-to-date and informed. All the recent sessions are available through our on-demand portal.

This includes the BC Court of Appeal’s modified court operations using Zoom, how Microsoft Teams is being employed by the Provincial Court; adaptations and progress made in Supreme Court for the continuation of hearings and trials, and what criminal law practitioners need to know about BC’s Community Corrections and Adult Custody in BC.

Those adapting their practices to virtual mediation and arbitration will want to refer to the May session and look to the best practices toolkits. CBABC also launched a threepart “Returning to the Office” series, evaluating available medical information about COVID-19 through the lens of occupational medicine and returning safely to the worksite; the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on your team’s mental health and wellness; and adapting employment contracts and policies for returning to the office.

This fall’s professional development reflects what members have said they need and want to adapt to the changing world, and be better prepared to help clients.

Have you considered how your workplace and employees incorporate principles of reconciliation? This fall, join your colleagues to explore the CBABC Reconciliation Response Plan to build awareness and adapt your workplace’s approach. In the continuing Supportive Relationships series, you can explore the present day experiences of Indigenous and Pan-Asian Canadians, building on part 1 of the series where participants explored the historical relationships. CBA also offers an on-demand series — The Path — a five-part series that sets out to demystify some legal issues surrounding the Canadian Constitution, the Indian Act, historical and modern treaties, and rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada. The final module provides some context to understand the cultural traditions and values of Indigenous peoples.

In response to your requests, CBABC will bring you sessions on allyship to build your capacity to be an ally to equityseeking groups within the legal profession. Additional sessions will explore how to make diversity and inclusion a reality in your workplace to move beyond the paper policy.

As we celebrate Pride, we are excited to expand lawyers’ awareness and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. From the basics to answer “what do those letters mean” to historical and current issues affecting access to justice, to guidelines for respectfully working with clients and counsel, this series is rich with useful information.

And if we’ve learned anything during the pandemic is that there is much more to learn about using more technology in our practices. The CBA Digital Literacy Series will help you stay on top of the legal trends. In September, look for our session on e-trials to help you plan, introduce evidence, and manage a fully-digital trial.