The Honourable Robert D. Punnett and the Honourable Peter M. Willcock have been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Mr. Justice Punnett served as a Bencher for Prince Rupert County until his appointment on June 19. He also served two terms on the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) Provincial Council and on the board of directors for the Trial Lawyers Association of BC. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel earlier this year. He was a partner in Punnett & Johnston of Prince Rupert until his appointment.

First elected a Bencher in 2006, Justice Punnett served on several Law Society committees and task forces during his time as a Bencher. Law Society President Gordon Turriff, QC congratulated Mr. Justice Punnett on his appointment. “This is great news for the people of BC,” said Turriff. “Mr. Justice Punnett has all the qualities communities want a judge to have — he’s thoughtful, a good listener and measured in his responses.”

Mr. Justice Punnett replaces Mr. Justice D.A. Halfyard in Prince Rupert.

Mr. Justice Willcock practised with Harper Grey LLP from 1983 until his appointment. He was a member of the insurance, health and professional regulation practice groups, having chaired the insurance group for several years. Mr. Willcock contributed to a number of professional education courses and publications. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Continuing Legal Education Society for many years.

Mr. Justice Willcock replaces Mr. Justice L. Paul Williamson in Vancouver who elected to become supernumerary judge as of January 28, 2009.

Heritage Law, a boutique firm located in West Vancouver, BC, requires an administrative assistant 3-4 days a week. We would prefer a graduate of the Capilano University Administrative Assistant program or equivalent. Experience in wills and estates, corporate records and family law is helpful. The compensation is $20/hour or $28,000/year salary range.  We are a collegial firm and are recognized for offering superior work/life balance.

Please forward your resume, transcript and references to Nicole Garton-Jones at nicole@bcheritagelaw.com.

See www.bcheritagelaw.com for more information on our firm.

Explaining complex family law concepts and procedures in a jargon-free style, this resource includes detailed information on how family court works, offers easily understandable case examples, and describes alternatives to litigation that are designed to help prevent families with children from entering the legal system to resolve disputes. Exploring subjects that apply to all parties involved in resolving separation, divorce, and custody conflicts-judges, lawyers, mediators, parenting coaches, psychologists, family counsellors, and social workers-this reference demystifies the role of lawyers and judges, debunks the myth that parents can represent themselves in court, and examines each parent’s responsibility to ensure that post-separation conflicts are resolved with minimal emotional stress to children.

This book is written by Ontario family court judge Harvey Brownstone, specifically for the general public. It is not a legal textbook or self-help manual. Rather, it provides much-needed information for every separated couple contemplating going to family court to resolve parental disputes. The book explains what family court is, and equally importantly, what it isn’t. The author uses many real-life anecdotes to show the reader how harmful family court is for families, and how bad litigation is for children. Family court litigation is not like the court cases we see on TV, and the judge gives strong reasons why people need legal representation from a lawyer who specializes in family law. There is a strong desire on the part of the author to convince people to use family court as a last resort, and consider dispute resolution alternatives such as mediation or collaborative law.

The winner will be announced at the 2009 Annual Presidents Dinner and Business Excellence Awards

Capilano Golf & Country Club

Presentation Ceremony, Silent Auction, Dinner & Dance

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm

Tickets $95.00 each.

To register: http://www.westvanchamber.com/events1.html

The annual Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch Work Life Balance Award, sponsored by Corporate Occupational Solutions Inc., is made in recognition of work life balance to the legal community by a CBA member, CBA supporting law firm or an organization that demonstrates leadership and commitment to work life balance in the practice of law. There will be a luncheon to honour the second recipient of the Work Life Balance Award on June 25, 2009 at the Sutton Place Hotel, to be presented by Attorney General Wally Oppal, QC.

The nominees this year include

• Heritage Law;
• Todd A. Rattray, Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP;
• Pushor Mitchell LLP; and
• Barbara K. Buchanan, Law Society of British Columbia

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