ARCTIC OBITER

MAY 2010 | 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Oh, Let the Sun Shine In!
It finally appears as though summer is right around the
corner. The ice and snow are gone (for the most part) and
the trees are starting to show signs of life. Best of all, the
sun is shining and the temperatures are rising! This time
of year never fails to recharge me after a long cold dark
winter and I am so excited for the boating
and camping and deck time that the next
few months will bring.
The next few months will also be
bringing some very interesting seminars
from the Law Society and the CBA.
As you have no doubt seen in our weekly
update email, on June 8th Lieutenant
Colonel James MacMillan, Deputy Judge
Advocate in Yellowknife, provides an
overview of the law of armed conflict,
including the foundations of the Geneva
Convention and common media
misunderstandings. This is sure to be a
Shirley A. Walsh
very interesting talk, and I hope many of our members
attend.
We recently had the chance to welcome back Ross
McLeod, Practice Advisor with the Law Society of
Alberta, for a refreshing info-session on Client
Identification and Verification. As always, his in-depth
knowledge of these new measures (both locally and
nationally) eased many minds and cleared much of the
confusion associated with our new rules. With this
seminar, Ross also provided an overview of billing
practices now being seen in the profession. The talk
opened some members’ eyes with the possibilities for
successfully evolving their practice into an alternative
billing system.
On June 18th, the Law Society is sponsoring another
interesting speaker to talk about alternative billing.
Lonny Balbi, QC, a Calgary-based lawyer and a frequent
guest on various television shows, will discuss
alternatives to the current norm of billable hours.
The case for a new model of billing will
not be going away anytime soon. I’d like
to thank both Ross McLeod and Lonny
Balbi for speaking to our membership and
opening the doors to this subject.
The CBA has, as always, some very useful
seminars planned on subjects such as the
Effective Use of Prior Inconsistent Statements
and Spousal Support & Matrimonial
Assessments. All of these are opportunities
not only to add to your knowledge and
skill sets, but also to ensure you will meet
the Law Society’s requirement for CPD
hours.
Of course, we are also looking forward to the annual
Court of Appeal Barbeque. This year the barbeque will be
on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at the Yellowknife Racquet
Club. It’s always lots of fun with great food, I look
forward to seeing a large turnout.
To all of our members who at the beginning of what is
likely a very busy summer of outdoor activities and
relaxing vacations, have fun and be safe!