1.0 Purpose
BarTalk is the official publication of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch and covers analysis and commentary relevant to lawyers, law students and judges in B.C.
CBABC’s mission includes promoting equality, diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession and the justice system as well as providing opportunities for members to connect and contribute to the legal community. BarTalk plays a critical role in supporting this mission by delivering topical, practice-oriented and instructive content relevant to lawyers, law students and judges working across British Columbia. BarTalk aims to broaden the minds of our readers, promote lawyers’ personal and professional wellness and improve the law and administration of justice in B.C.
BarTalk brings unique value to readers by publishing viewpoints and content from a diverse group of forward-thinking columnists and feature writers. The magazine strives to be an inclusive platform with dedicated space for equity-seeking groups.
2.0 Publication
2.1 Format & Frequency
BarTalk issues are published online six times per year on bartalk.org. BarTalk publishes the following issues: February-March, April-May, June-July, August-September, October-November and December-January. Articles in each issue are released gradually within these periods, culminating in an email recap near the end of the two-month period.
2.2 Distribution
The publication is available to all CBABC members and the public via bartalk.org. All CBABC members, including law students, who have opted in receive an email notification for each issue. Select articles are promoted on social media and/or in CBABC’s weekly member newsletter, News+Jobs.
2.3 Website Categories
Articles and columns produced for BarTalk are classified online according to the following categories:
At CBABC – Branch content, including From the President, From the CEO, Advocacy in Action, Branch events and news
Perspectives – Permanent and recurring columns
The Practice – Articles on developing legal career and business skills, as well as personal wellbeing and work-life balance
The Profession – Articles analyzing challenges within the profession that require attention as well as potential solutions and their implementation
The Law – Articles explaining legal concepts and procedures
Beyond the Bar – Articles on topics of interest outside of the profession
3.0 Roles & Responsibilities
3.1 Editorial Committee
The purpose of the BarTalk Editorial Committee (the “Committee”) is to oversee and guide the content of BarTalk and enforce editorial policy and standards. The Committee is accountable to the CBABC Board of Directors and the Executive Director.
The Committee’s responsibilities include:
- Ensure that the BarTalk Editorial Policies are followed in content development and production.
- Direct the Editor in selection of lead stories, featured lawyers and other matters of content.
- Review every issue before publication for style, register, tone, policy compliance, professionalism and alignment to BarTalk’s purpose.
- Participate in periodic reviews of all aspects of BarTalk for improvement.
- Direct the Editor to conduct a periodic survey of readers on satisfaction, expectations, interests and suggestions relevant to their experience with BarTalk.
The Committee is made up of CBABC member volunteers and CBABC staff. Volunteers are assigned for a one-year renewable term from September 1 to August 31 by the Board of Directors.
The Board seeks to promote diversity on the committee relative to year of call, practice type, gender, race and geography.
The Committee meets at least six times per year to propose content and identify themes for upcoming issues. Additionally, the Committee generally meets every two years to review reader feedback, policy and general direction.
3.2 Production Team
CBABC staff from the Communications & Marketing department produce the magazine, with oversight of the Director responsible for BarTalk (“Production Team”).
The Production Team edits the magazine following the Canadian Press guidelines. All submissions are edited for style, clarity and consistency, while maintaining the essence of the article. If there are numerous stylistic inconsistencies or unclear phrasing, the article will be returned to the author for further review and resubmission.
The Production Team also manages all aspects of producing the magazine, as well as promotion of each BarTalk issue. A regular review of delivery methods and formatting of BarTalk publications is conducted, and changes are proposed or implemented with approval of the Director responsible for BarTalk and/or the Executive Director.
If the Editorial Committee has any concern related to the performance of the production of BarTalk, the Chair will bring such concerns to the attention of the Executive Director.
3.3 Contributors
To maintain high quality and authentic content, the Committee seeks to engage content contributors who offer a range of writing styles and life experiences, drawing from diverse cultures, demographics, geography, practice setting, and area of law. BarTalk only publishes original content from contributors. Articles previously published elsewhere are not accepted. Contributors can re-publish their BarTalk article on the condition there is a backlink to the BarTalk website. For example: "This article was previously published in the August 2023 issue of BarTalk.", with a link to the BarTalk article.
Priority is given to contributors who are subject matter experts or have significant experience in the topic on which they are writing, whether this is through the lens of a lawyer, judge, professor or student. On a limited basis, BarTalk accepts content from non-legal professionals, provided the content is still relevant to the legal or justice system.
Typically, contributors are sourced through CBABC Sections and Committees, along with approaching individuals or organizations known to be subject matter experts in their fields. In addition, the Committee considers contributors who approach BarTalk with a submitted topic or article.
The opinions and views expressed by BarTalk's contributors are their own, and do not necessarily reflect CBABC’s viewpoint or position. CBABC does not accept responsibility for views expressed in articles or other contributions that appear on its pages.
Contributors and the content they produce for publication must not be in direct competition with CBABC’s programs and services.
Contributors can claim up to six hours of CPD credit for writing articles in BarTalk.
4.0 Content
4.1 Themes
Each issue has a “theme” around which the articles are developed. Themes are recommended by the Editorial Committee and approved by the Executive Director. They are generally identified twelve months in advance of publication.
Themes should be of relatively broad appeal to lawyers, law students and judges. Generally, no more than four themes per year relate to specific areas of law, and at least two issues are dedicated to practice management, business management or professionalism concepts. Occasionally, a special theme is identified (i.e., Law Foundation 50th Anniversary).
4.2 Style Guidelines
All contributors are required to follow the BarTalk Style Guide at the time of contribution. The Production Team and Editorial Committee review content in accordance with the Style Guide.
4.3 Content Types
BarTalk includes several content types, as outlined below. Guidelines specific to each content type are provided in the sections that follow.
|
Type |
Content |
|
Feature Articles |
Feature articles written on theme |
|
Guest Articles |
Very topical or broad appeal content, not on theme |
|
Permanent Columns |
President, Executive Director, Indigenous Matters |
|
Recurring Columns |
Recurring columns approved by the Committee |
|
Branch Content |
Branch content typically covering Advocacy, Sections, Professional Development, Branch awards, Branch news, CBABC ads |
|
Community News |
Content provided by legal community partners |
|
Advertising |
Paid advertising and sponsored content |
|
BarMoves |
Free listings for members to announce job changes |
4.3.1 Articles
Purpose: Topics related to the magazine theme are selected by the Editorial Committee.
Procedure: The Committee determines a theme and proposes specific topics for each issue during bi-monthly planning meetings. Writers are then approached by the Committee and Editor to develop feature articles based on suggested topics.
Guest articles are accepted when a contributor makes a submission that has important and timely content but is off-theme for any upcoming issues.
Article ideas and contributors are approved approximately four months in advance of publication date. Content is submitted approximately three weeks prior to issue launch except for topical articles accepted and published on a rolling basis.
|
Content |
Cadence & Placement |
Requirements |
|
Feature Article |
Issues typically have 7-10 feature articles. Articles appear throughout the magazine, with more than 50% appearing in the front half. |
Topics on theme for the magazine issue |
|
Guest Article |
Optionally included in addition to the feature articles. |
Very topical or broad appeal content, not on theme |
4.3.2 Permanent Columns
Purpose: Permanent columns are dedicated to the current Branch President and Executive Director as well as to Indigenous content and contributors.
Procedure: Columnists prepare their articles within the context of their point of view. Columnists are encouraged to write on topics off-theme to add variety. Content is submitted approximately three weeks prior to issue launch.
|
Content |
Cadence & Placement |
Requirements |
|
From the President |
Three columns each year, alternating with Executive Director |
Written by the current CBABC President. Addresses big themes related to CBABC’s mission, strategic plan or developments among B.C. lawyers. |
|
From the CEO |
Three columns each year, alternating with the President |
Written by the CBABC CEO. Addresses big themes related to CBABC’s mission, strategic plan or developments among B.C. lawyers. |
|
Indigenous Matters |
One column for every issue (six a year) |
An Indigenous perspective on current affairs, written on theme when possible. Generally written by Indigenous lawyers as identified by the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum representative on the Committee. |
|
Better Together |
Three columns a year, alternating with Justice in Every Corner |
Written by a member of the EDI Committee on a topic reflecting the committee’s priorities and advocacy |
|
Justice in Every Corner |
Three columns each year, alternating with Better Together |
Written by a member of the Access to Justice Committee on a topic reflecting the committee’s priorities and advocacy |
4.3.3 Recurring Columns
Purpose: A recurring column shares an opinion on a consistent subject or defined point of view. Columnists have the option, but are not required, to write “on theme”.
Columnist Selection: Columnists are selected by the Committee and appointed for a two-year period. Generally, there are a maximum of three recurring columns at any time. Each column appears in three issues each year.
The Committee evaluates potential columnists on the following criteria:
- Previous experience and samples of writing for BarTalk or similar publications.
- A proposed column “point of view” that is differentiated from other columns and considered by the Committee to be of interest to B.C. lawyers, law students and judges.
- Demonstrated expertise in the column’s general subject matter or point of view (for example, a lawyer within a firm or solo practice that focuses on family law would be suited to do a regular column on family law).
- Considerations are given to life experiences and a perspective that is diverse, articulate and beneficial to the overall CBABC membership (diversity, for this purpose, includes but is not limited to gender, culture, ethnicity, age and geography).
- Columnists must be able to commit a period of two years and maintain reliable and timely delivery of articles.
- Throughout their term, columnists must be CBA members in good standing.
The Committee reserves the right to cancel a columnist’s term with 30 days’ notice if any of the above criteria are no longer met.
Prior to the completion of their term, a recurring columnist is reviewed by the Committee and may be invited to continue their column for an additional term. Columnists who are not renewed are informed 60 days prior to their term’s completion.
Procedure: During their assigned term, columnists Content is submitted approximately three weeks prior to issue launch.
4.3.4 Branch News
Purpose: Provides recent or current Branch updates on topics related to Advocacy, Sections, Professional Development, Awards, trending issues and more. Branch News contributors have the option, but are not required, to write “on theme”.
Procedure: Content is developed or assigned by CBABC staff, along with a submission deadline.
4.3.5 Community News
Purpose: Recent industry or organizational updates produced by key legal community organizations. Community News contributors have the option, but are not required, to write “on theme”.
Contributor Selection: Content is provided by select legal community organizations. Additional legal community organizations may be considered at the discretion of the Committee for inclusion on a short- or long-term basis. Each organization submits 1-2 articles each year. Continued publication of each organization’s articles under community news is subject to the Editorial Committee’s review.
Procedure: Content is provided by select community organizations. Content is submitted approximately three weeks prior to issue launch.
4.3.6 Bar Moves
Purpose: This popular section of BarTalk helps to build community by showcasing individuals who have changed organizations and roles.
Procedure: Space is free and claimed by contacting bartalk@cbabc.org or by using the online submission form.
|
Content |
Requirements |
|
Bar Moves |
200-character description and high-resolution headshot |
4.3.7 Advertising
Purpose: Advertisers have an opportunity to communicate with BarTalk readership, which generates revenue to support the production of BarTalk.
Editorial Independence: All editorial decisions are managed by the Committee and are not to be influenced by the interests of the advertisers. Working with advertisers or accepting financial support does not mean CBABC endorses their product or service.
Procedure: Display advertising and advertorial space is available online at bartalk.org.
Online ads are supplied at least seven days prior to publication.
Current pricing, specifications, timelines and other details are available on request from advertising@cbabc.org.
Sponsored Content: Sponsored content is long-form narrative advertising. The Production Team is responsible for editing and laying out the content within guidelines. Sponsored content must be clearly identified as paid advertising, and no more than one sponsored content article may appear in a single issue.
CBABC Advertising: CBABC promotes Branch programs and other initiatives with advertisements as necessary.
4.4 Artificial Intelligence
BarTalk authors are prohibited from using AI to directly write the content of articles for publication or relying on such tools for research, as the technology may introduce inaccuracies, falsities and biases. As an exception, if AI is used to write content to illustrate a point about the technology, this information must be disclosed.
While AI tools can be used for ideation, such as brainstorming ideas for headlines, subheads, synopses, minor revisions, summaries and promotional material, final outputs require meaningful human oversight prior to publication.
Authors are responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of their articles and are accountable for the positions expressed. Careful examination of content can prevent false, defamatory or discriminatory articles. Avoiding inputting confidential, privileged or personally identifiable information in AI tools can help protect privacy.