BBN #191
2025 CATCH UP WITH LSO CONNECTS
Gone are the old days as of January 1st.
Action required: The LSO will no longer be distributing annual fee invoices. You must determine your annual fee through LSO Connects that will also permit monthly credit or debit card payments when you generate your 2025 annual fee. As well, you must confirm or update your employment and practice information (referred to as business relationship information in LSO Connects) as that affects the annual fee payable. Payment will also be made through LSO Connects. If your firm or organization is paying both you and your firm must take steps to enable “bulk payment”. More details are available on the Law Society website.
LAWPRO 2025 RENEW BY DECEMBER 9th – OR ELSE
Visit the My LAWPRO portal at my.lawpro.ca signing in with your LSO number and password. There is a new simplified renewal process allowing you to apply for a 2025 LAWPRO Policy based on the information on file for you. The “Apply for Renewal” tab will present a pre-populated form.
If you will not be practicing in 2025, complete anApplication for Exemption under the “Exemption/Increased Run-off” tile in the same portal.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Many of us are using third-party payment services or electronic funds transfer systems, such as the SureFund Service offered by Teranet.
Before using any third-party payment service or electronic funds transfer system read carfully the LSO cautionary warning at https://lso.ca/newsevents/news/latest-news-2024/notice-to-the-professions-third-party-payment-serv
The Law Society will continue to review the use of third-party payment services and electronic funds transfer systems and may consider rule or by-law changes to address the future use of these services.
GOVERNANCE REVIEW CONSULTATION
A Task Force is proposing significant variation by a phased approach toward a more effective self-governance model. It includes changes to the size and composition of Convocation and election and appointment reforms as well as limiting Bencher eligibility to an 8-year term (down from 16 years and currently 12 years). If approved, the process for filling elected Bencher vacancies by way of annual by elections, would take effect in 2025. The balance of the reforms, if approved, would take effect upon the 2027 election of Benchers. This initiative must be contrasted with the severe B.C. Government -imposed reforms of its legal services regulator as well as other Law Societies and Ontario regulators. Perhaps cost savings and efficiency might be achieved through Convocation only sitting quarterly but for a full day on each occasion. Your feedback on the proposed changes is requested by January 31, 2025. Read the report.
LAST CALL
November 30th is the deadline to provide your feedback on whether licensees should be required to report additional personal and business information to the Law Society and the Law Society’s disclosure obligations if it is in the public interest to do so. Learn more at LSO.ca/increased-transparency.
December 13th is the deadline for 2025 Law Society Award nominations. Full details on the awards and how to file a nomination using the online nomination form is available on the Law Society website at Nominations and Selection Process Law Society of Ontario
December 20th is the deadline to participate in considering the feasibility of extending the Certified Specialist designation to paralegals. To assist you are asked to complete a confidential 10-minute survey.
HEENAN BLAIKIE
Adam Dodek has contributed an important book from which we can all learn about what to do and not to do from the creation to the demise of a great Canadian law firm. It contains important lessons for all, even if only a very few of us can realize the growth of a 3-person firm into to a preeminent household-name law firm. Read it to learn, remember history and marvel at the impossible.
Heenan Blaikie: The Making and Unmaking of a Great Canadian Law
Firm from UBC Press, Amazon or Indigo (or join the Osgoode Society for Canadian
Legal History).
NOVEMBER CONVOCATION
See what Benchers considered atagenda and reports.
CONVOCATION 2025
Benchers will continue their significant work as and when required including committees and task forces but are next scheduled to sit in Convocation on February 27th. That day’s agenda and reports will be posted on the Law Society website (https://lso.ca/home) which will also provide the link to observe the
webcast in real time.
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