Why won’t sharks attack lawyers?
Professional courtesy.
Did you hear about the group that hijacked a plane full of lawyers?
They called down to ground control with their list of demands, threatening that if their demands weren’t met, they would release one lawyer every hour.
We’ve all heard them. Lawyers have been the butt of them. Lawyer jokes.
I recently received this e-card:
It made me laugh, but reminded me that most lawyers don’t fit the “bad lawyer” stereotype. They’re honest, hard-working people who are dedicated to their jobs and committed to making their communities a better place. In addition to helping their clients, lawyers routinely volunteer their time and expertise for many great causes, including social justice.
I’m proud to be a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC), which is dedicated to protecting and promoting justice. Two examples:
Courtroom Hearing Fees
The TLABC was instrumental in obtaining a landmark decision from the Supreme Court of Canada in 2014: Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 2014 SCC 59. It involved a woman in a child-custody dispute case who couldn’t afford $3,600 for the 10 day trial.
The BC Government charged no fee for days 1-3, $500 daily for days 4-10, and $800 for every day beyond. These fees were the highest in Canada.
The TLABC jumped into action. Its members dedicated their time and expertise, free of charge, and successfully challenged these Hearing Fees. The Supreme Court of Canada struck the fees down as being unconstitutional by preventing access to the Courts.
Jury Fees
BC courts require a litigant to pay $1,500, 45 days before trial, 2/3 of which is non-refundable. Jury trial costs are $800 daily for days 2-10, $900 a day for the following 39 days, then $1,200 for every trial day beyond that. These fees are the highest in Canada.
The TLABC recently launched an action against the BC Government arguing that Jury Fees are an expensive and unfair barrier for anyone seeking justice. Like the Hearing Fees case, this will likely involve years of litigation ending at the Supreme Court of Canada. If that’s not putting your money where your mouth is, I don’t know what is.
Lawyer jokes will continue to be with us for a long time. The reality is this: Dedicated lawyers are a positive force in their communities, working actively each and every day to improve all of our lives.
And that’s no joke.
You need someone truly on your side. Why settle for less?
Contact Einfeld Law for a free, initial consultation at (250) 712-0001, visit our website at www.einfeldlaw.com or find us on facebook.
Einfeld Law is a highly knowledgeable and experienced BC personal injury law firm specializing in motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other negligence claims involving bodily injury. We have successfully litigated many ICBC and other insurance claims, including out of province, wrongful death, brain injury, spinal cord injury, whiplash, soft tissue injury, and all other bodily injury claims. We have collected millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We never act for ICBC or other insurance companies.
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