November 16, 2017
Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta Notices
Join the Conversation: Proposed Amendments to the Legal Profession Act
There is still time to join in the conversation on proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act ( key features and FAQ ) and how we can help support innovation in the delivery of legal services. Visit our engagement website at www.lawsocietylistens.ca to review materials, watch videos and participate. You can:
  • Complete a three minute online survey. The survey will be open until December 8, 2017.
  • Attend an Open House. We thank those lawyers who have already participated. We will be visiting Lethbridge, Edmonton and Lloydminster in the next couple weeks ~ details.
  • View the recording of our November 10 webinar modeled after our Open House sessions.
  • Share your story of how you are innovating, or would like to innovate, in legal service delivery.
  • Participate in the discussion forum.

We are also speaking with Albertans about their experiences finding and using legal services. We invite you to spread the word to your clients, friends and family. There is a brief survey for Albertans to complete available at www.lawsocietylistens.ca/public.
Indigenous Lawyers Invited to Meet with Indigenous Initiatives Liaison In First Steps of TRC Work
The Law Society of Alberta is committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. Koren Lightning-Earle joined the Law Society of Alberta in June 2017 as Indigenous Initiative Liaison. Since that time, she has been developing a work plan and strategies for the Law Society to respond to the TRC calls to action. This work plan includes strategies directed at Law Society staff and Benchers as well as strategies in collaboration with both Indigenous lawyers in Alberta and Alberta lawyers generally.

As part of this work, Indigenous lawyers are invited to join us for a discussion. The Law Society is interested in hearing your feedback and having a good discussion about your thoughts on the Law Society and how we can do better at supporting Indigenous lawyers and implementing the Calls to Action. We will also have staff to present on the proposed changes to the Legal Profession Act. We will meet on;
  • Monday, November 20, 2017, at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, Tsuut’ina First Nation, Grey Eagle Drive & Glenmore Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta; and
  • Monday, November 27, 2017, at River Cree Casino Resort on Enoch Cree Nation, located on corner of Whitemud Drive & Winterburn Road, Edmonton Alberta.

If you have not already received an invite please contact Koren Lightning-Earle to RSVP.
2017 Update to the Federal Child Support Tables
The Federal Child Support Tables set out the basic monthly amounts of child support under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

The tables have been updated to reflect more recent tax rules. The updated tables come into effect on November 22, 2017.

Our Programs and Resources
We offer a variety of different programs and resources to support lawyers.

Whether you are looking for someone to look after your practice while on sabbatical or seeking a more experienced lawyer to provide guidance, we offer Locum Connect, Mentor Connect and On-Site Support.

Sole and small firm practitioners in Alberta can register to participate in  SoloNet – an online community to share knowledge, ideas and experience. While the Law Society hosts the SoloNet forum as a proactive resource offered to sole and small firm practitioners, it is important for lawyers to know that forum discussions are independent of the regulatory function of the Law Society of Alberta. Discussions are not moderated by the Law Society. The Practice Advisors act as a conduit, as necessary, if there is important information or collective feedback that needs to be shared.

We also offer AdvisorLink where lawyers or students-at-law are provided with the contact information for lawyers in the community who have agreed to serve as a resource to less experienced members of the Bar. These lawyers are available to answer one-off inquiries in a wide range of practice areas.

Our resource material is organized by the following key resource areas:

The Small Firm Practice Course on our Learning Centre offers modules on key practice areas of interest to sole and small firm practitioners, ranging from practice management to trust accounting to technology issues and various pitfalls of practice.