Submitted by Section Chair, Audra Bayer
Summary of Meetings
Number of Meetings Held: 5
December 17, 2014
Guest Speaker: N/A
Meeting Title/Topic: ADR - Okanagan and Family Law - Okanagan Section Joint Event, Holiday Social Gathering
Synopsis: Event at Soul De Cuba - social event for members of ADR and Family Sections and also fundraiser for local food bank and women's shelter.
January 14, 2015
Guest Speakers: Rob Tedham, Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth Management
Meeting Title/Topic: Restructuring Finances - Things to consider - investments, debt management, budgeting
Synopsis: Seminar on Wealth management, debt management and exploring possible options for asset division and attribution on separation for purposes of investment and tax strategizing.
March 12, 2015
Guest Speakers: Aaron Franks, Epstein Cole LLP, Lene Madsen, Bluewater Mediation and Michael Welsh, Mott Welsh & Associates
Meeting Title/Topic: Joint Family/ADR Section Presentation on Year in Review and Mediation/Arbitration
Synopsis: Morning was Aaron Frank's Year in Review presentation with Lorne MacLean - afternoon was Lene, Michael and Aaron speaking on the med/arb process and pros and cons and education BC practitioners on why we should be choosing to use these over litigation.
April 15, 2015
Guest Speaker: Bruce Plaxton , CA
Meeting Title/Topic: Income Calculation for Small Businesses
Synopsis: Reviewing the basics of understanding corporate returns, financial statements and documents for purposes of review, assessment and determination of income and asset valuation.
May 13, 2015
Guest Speakers: Kimberly Wallis of Sabey Rule LLP
Meeting Title/Topic: Wills Estate and Succession Act for the Family Lawyer
Synopsis: Review of how WESA and family law intersect.
Comments and Observations of the Chair
This year was by far one of the most interesting and active years we have had. We are now starting to recruit new members for the Family executive but the ADR section continues to struggle. We are going to continue to try to work together as sections and hopefully see further growth and progress for each.