Copyright Casey Marshall

Increased digitization of the legal profession means that lawyers must be aware of the risks of exposing confidential documents to unintended recipients. What can lawyers do to ensure that only the intended recipient receives confidential documents sent via email? Below are four suggestions from Barron Henley of Affinity Consulting, one of LESA’s top-rated presenters at last November’s ‘Law and Practice Update’.

1.)  Use Encrypted Email: There is no expectation of privacy with regular email. Therefore, if lawyers want privacy, they should consider using encrypted email.  Examples include:

• Mail It Safe (www.mailitsafe.com/index_en.php): gives the user the ability to secure the content, pull back messages inadvertently sent, as well as the ability to track the receipt and consultation of the email and its attachments.  There is also an alert system which updates you in real time when your message and/or attachments have been reviewed.
• YouSendIt Pro Plus: there is a fee version and a pay version of YouSendIt.  The pay version provides “advanced security options” including return receipts on emails, password encrypted attachments, and creation of expiry dates for attachments.

 2.)  Use a document management system: a document management system allows you to securely share documents with individuals internal or external to your organization. Examples include: Worldox, Interwoven Worksite and NetDocuments.

 3.)  Use a subscription based file sharing service: A file sharing service allows one party to create virtual workspaces where documents can be deposited. The creating party can then allow access to the “workspace” to other users who are able to upload/download files, delete/edit files, and/or create folders. The service can also keep track of when each file is updated and which party made the update.

 4.)  Encrypt the files themselves: Using Word or Adobe Acrobat, files can be encrypted so that they cannot be opened, read, and/or edited without the correct password.

At LESA, we feel strongly about building relationships within the legal community and beyond, to serve as a resource and a hub for our network.

For our 45^th Annual Refresher Course in Real Estate, we’re so happy to connect with a variety of sponsor organizations – some of whom have been “friends” of ours for a long time, others who are new to us this year. These companies have shown us great support for this valuable program, so we wish to extend our thanks and support back to them by helping you connect, should you be interested in learning more about their services.

Kingston Ross Pasnak

LESA has had a longstanding relationship with KRP as they have been our “go-to” accounting firm for many years. They are one of Alberta’s largest full-service local chartered accounting firms, and have been named one of Canada’s “Best Small and Medium-Sized Employers” by the Globe and Mail since 2007. They offer an array of comprehensive accounting services, from audit and taxation to litigation support and business valuations. We thank them for their continued support.

Rileys

Rileys produces all of our digital printing, from seminar materials to signage and beyond. With offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg, Rileys has an extensive line of equipment, and extremely high document security, to meet any print requirements you can dream up. We have had an association with Rileys since 1982, when our good friend Don Gander first connected with our Calgary office. We’ve been with Don ever since, through many moves and changes, and we’re so happy to continue our friendship to this day.

Lawyer Done Deal

Lawyer Done Deal is new to us this year, so we’re glad to meet them and have them on board as a Refresher Sponsor. LDD offers a suite of web applications that cover a broad range of practice areas, including Real Estate, Wills and Corporate law. Based in Toronto, LDD supports law firms across Canada, as well as lenders, title insurers and new home builders. Look for their booth in the exhibitors’ hall at the Refresher.

TitlePLUS

Also a new LESA supporter, TitlePLUS offers title insurance on purchases or refinances of new or resale residential properties. It is the only all-Canadian title insurance product available, and has been on the market since 1997. Although their parent company, LAWPRO, is based in Toronto, TitlePLUS is available all across the country. We’re also glad to welcome them as an exhibitor  at this year’s Refresher.

Alberta Real Estate Association

We have had an ongoing relationship with AREA, the non-profit association that represents Alberta’s 11 real estate boards and more than 10,000 realtors. AREA has a number of key functions, serving the public and their members by providing industry news and information, practical advice and support, education and advocacy. We’re grateful for their support at this year’s Refresher Course.

eConveyance

LESA is happy to welcome eConveyance to the Refresher Course as both an exhibitor and a new sponsor.  eConveyance was first introduced in BC in 2004 to support the Land Title and Survey Authority’s electronic filing system (EFS) with a web-based collaborative platform. The Alberta version was launched in 2010 and meets the specific needs of the Alberta conveyancing community, and allows users to collaborate seamlessly between all parties. Look for eConveyance in the exhibitor’s hall at the Refresher Course.

Do Process Software

Do Process Software is the company behind products like The Conveyancer, Fast Company and Will Builder. For more than 20 years, Do Process has been collaborating with legal professionals across Canada to produce reliable and innovative software that directly connects to law practice, helping to streamline work processes. You’ll find more information about Do Process at their booth in the Refresher Course exhibitor hall.

Burke Group Print and Graphic Communication Solutions

We have had a long relationship with Burke Group (previously Douglas Printing) as they handle all of our off-set printing for our brochures, calendars and signage. They have some of the best printing technologies on the market and can print on virtually any surface, allowing for tons of creativity. We’re so happy to include them as a sponsor for this year’s Refresher.

We’re sad to mark the passing of former Chief Judge Edward Wachowich on April 10, 2012. Services were held today at St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton. Our condolences to his family, and his many friends and colleagues. He will be missed.

For more information, please see his obituary in the Edmonton Journal.

Acclaimed criminal lawyer C.D. Evans tells his own story in his new book A Painful Duty: 40 Years At the Criminal Bar.

In this memoir, Evans reveals insights about his practice and the cast of characters that make up the Criminal Bar.

If you’re in Edmonton, be sure to meet Chris at Audrey’s Books on March 23rd at 7.30.

Chris will also be doing readings in Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore and Red Deer. Visit his website
for more information.

Check out our many educational resources as you plan your CPD this year.

It’s that time of year again. Your Continuing Professional Development Plans are to be declared by March 15, 2012.

Here are LESA’s top five suggestions for meeting your CPD requirements.

1.  Take a LESA Seminar.

We are proud of the live events we offer. You can find seminars in every practice area and for all levels of experience. We also offer practice-based workshops to help you improve your advocacy skills or your proficiency with interviewing and advising. Information about our live events can be found here.

2.  Take an online LESA course.

LESA has a number of offerings online, from webcasts on ethical issues and negotiation strategies to audio recordings of some of our popular seminars. In particular, check out the audio recording of our sold-out seminar “Drafting and Practice Considerations Under the Wills & Succession Act,” which brings you the most current information on this new legislation.

Check out our online courses here .

3.  Volunteer for us.

Volunteering for LESA can count toward your CPD requirements, and can be a great way to pass on your legal expertise in a mentorship capacity. We need all kinds of volunteers throughout our programming year – from lecturers to panelists to program chairs. We even need actors from time to time! Please contact us if you’re interested in contributing to the LESA community.

4.  Write for us.

All of our seminar materials are prepared by volunteers. On top of that, we also have need of subject matter experts to help us create our educational resources and to communicate changes in legislation. If you enjoy writing and sharing your knowledge and experience, we need you! And if you’re interested in contributing to our blog, we can talk about how we can include you in our online community.

5.  Review for us.

As legislation changes, we need to change with it. Therefore, we always have need for great legal minds to help us ensure our information is up-to-date and accurate. Please contact us (link) if you would be interested in helping us communicate the latest in your practice area.

If you have any questions about your CPD plan, check out CPD Alberta website.