BCLMA | Site-Wide Activity https://bclma.org/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Fri, 30 Oct 2026 21:10:05 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v=10.6.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 b417168e4a4649cfb944ee748b0e537e Kathryn Hobbs became a registered member https://bclma.org/activity/p/33916/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:40:12 -0700 0 9b6a6d5da035a27bb603f3806b6e4310 Richelle Molaro's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33914/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:14:54 -0700 0 a7dd91a53d9d7e14359e73ee7ef17979 Cara Dato's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33913/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:58:22 -0700 0 856a550a983ca7b40c7d1c7ec482e57e Virginia Will replied to the topic Time Zone Changes in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/time-zone-changes/#post-78870 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:42:08 -0700 Further to this message, Microsoft has not provided a patch for any recurring entries. After consultation with our IT and with online discussions it was deemed best to add an end date for the current recurring entries of Oct 30 then re-setup the entry effective Nov 1. However it should be noted that if you made any changes to a single recurring…Read more

]]> 3dea13558bc1c93a2b0d3231542444dc Michelle Yang replied to the topic Staff annual reviews related to salary increases in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-annual-reviews-related-to-salary-increases/#post-78834 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 01:23:51 -0700 We’re a boutique firm so a lot of the performance reviews have a bit of ambiguity to them.

We try to do a mix that is made up based on tangible targets (like billable, receipts, etc…) and non-tangible targets (how the firm did overall, amount of BD, if they were involved in internal initiatives, etc…) as long as they are weighted…Read more

]]> a8d7a15f00d987f6af294f521462d16d Melissa Nichol replied to the topic Staff annual reviews related to salary increases in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-annual-reviews-related-to-salary-increases/#post-78832 Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:18:51 -0700 Hi Karen,

We are using the performance reviews as an input into salary increases through a merit matrix. We take each staff member’s current pay in relation to the benchmark for the position, and their performance rating and then, using the salary increase budgeted %age, we assign an increase amount to each criteria. For example, a Top Performer…Read more

]]> 54eae2b72f97aaef111127ef1f812d6e Karen Vandervoort started the topic Staff annual reviews related to salary increases in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-annual-reviews-related-to-salary-increases/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:31:15 -0700 Hello. I’m interested in understanding how other law firms incorporate staff performance reviews into their salary increase decisions. Are performance reviews typically linked to salary increases through a defined scale or formula, or are they used more subjectively as a supporting document in determining the appropriate increase?
Thanks!

]]> 64a5a711d721ada57f49005f35fb275c Karen Vandervoort replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78828 Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:23:05 -0700 Yes, only ’employees’ are included, not partners or sr. counsel. But bonuses are to be included, as well as overtime which obviously doesn’t apply to lawyers. The entire legislation is really flawed, with salaries only separated by gender displaying a variance of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

]]> d916a729bcc0aaed15e3b370aa1a0275 Cathie Filiatrault's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33900/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:12:35 -0700 0 92064f6bcccc5452440efe6a1f3048ed Paula Price's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33899/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:55:06 -0700 0 115ff156f9f3e9b7aecf12625d6bfbe4 Derek Petersen's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33898/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:52:39 -0700 0 ac5c0644f3a8e44b055e244c704c777a Cadence Konopaki replied to the topic Time Zone Changes in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/time-zone-changes/#post-78786 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:27:33 -0700 Oh wow! Thank you Greg! Sadly we do not have internal IT (and our provider is less than stellar) so we are figuring this out on our own. I was so hopeful that was the fix. Dang. Thank you!!

]]> df8fd0b7f60ade34ef3e18eeafd43594 Greg Holubowicz replied to the topic Time Zone Changes in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/time-zone-changes/#post-78784 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:26:58 -0700 The way I read your announcement is that setting a computers timezone will magically fix all your existing upcoming appointments / meeting times, that is not the case. Chances are your upcoming meetings / appointments will be off by an hour whether you set your workstation timezone or not. Also if you are on Microsoft 365 you should probably set…Read more

]]> 87e1ea7109b8a780f0cfa71c6410fb0b Cadence Konopaki started the topic Time Zone Changes in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/time-zone-changes/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:56:32 -0700 For anyone else who may not have a proactive third party IT provider and need to address this yourselves, we sent out this message today to address BCs new time zone:

As you may know, BC is moving to permanent daylight saving time, which means our clocks will no longer fall back an hour in November. To prepare for this change, we are asking…Read more

]]> 554173088ad30c51fbf737dac8da95e1 Karen Vandervoort replied to the topic Background Checks in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/background-checks-2/#post-78766 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:50:40 -0700 We don’t request third-party background checks on candidates but I am interested in hearing what others do.

]]> 0f5e153f47b6a9089442216140d66652 Christin Tschacher replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78765 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:00:50 -0700 How are you treating non-equity and equity partners? My understanding is they would not be included.

]]> a895e0f11d9f2d16dc43b7b732d8caa3 Test Testlast's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33890/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 20:46:51 -0700 0 a906897e2947f78462d42ee926a57f02 Christin Tschacher replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78762 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 20:46:31 -0700 Thank you everyone for exchanging thoughts on here. I’m only starting the report and appreciate all guidance and feedback. Thank you!

]]> bb70e6748b6246e6ee95fc7a5de60d7a Lisa Midgley started the topic Background Checks in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/background-checks-2/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:24:22 -0700 Hi everyone,

I’m interested in hearing from firms that conduct pre-employment background checks through a third-party provider. For those of you who screen new hires, what are your typical turnaround times for the various components of the background check process (e.g. ID/address verification, education/employment verification, criminal…Read more

]]> 955de40c7ec577ba030b9f2af13d21c5 Lisa Midgley joined the group Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33887/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:12:34 -0700 0 bc05f065bba07fde2a0cfce552124941 Zarah Hofer replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78756 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:08:26 -0700 Hi all,
We had a very similar issue with our report and was wondering the same as you Ksenia. It’s very difficult to explain all the nuances, as we also have several working parents on reduced schedules and certain professions predominantly women, which I suspect will impact many organizations in the professional services sectors. We haven’t…Read more

]]> e56afff7a8e79d0242b5e5431d66519f Chad Garrod's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33885/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:44:49 -0700 0 002f03c3f206a07dd668fe949b2d6287 Ksenia Michtchenko replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78745 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:10:26 -0700 Hello,

We were wondering how other firms are dealing with the issue of having pay data reported that comes from various positions in firms (i.e. pay scales ranging from junior admin staff to senior counsel being lumped all into one category and being compared). Additionally, the issue of employees predominantly being composed of one gender in…Read more

]]> 1acb4f1754120c0e4dadb46e678ee302 Karen Vandervoort replied to the topic Billable Target Hours in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/billable-target-hours/#post-78744 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:01:32 -0700 Hi Michelle. Did you buy a copy of the BCLMA Compensation and benefits survey/charge out rates survey? The results have just recently been published.

]]> 56fe1a069fe0ba4fe809b01a0bda765b Michelle Yang started the topic Billable Target Hours in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/billable-target-hours/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:44:45 -0700 Hello all..

I can’t seem to find anything on this. What is the trend of billable target hours for lawyers in litigation? I have a feeling the trend is going down for boutique / midsize firms but i would love to get some insight on how targets are determined vis a vie bonus calculation. ‘

Thank you!

]]> 5ec84c8eeb3f4e102a634f7159e772dd Rachel Watters's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33880/ Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:27:41 -0700 0 5aa5dda84f70209605558040c5f70a12 Tania Coull replied to the topic AI Tools and Access in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/ai-tools-and-access/#post-78601 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:09:39 -0700 On a related topic, how do those using AI handle the client disclosure and/or consent?

]]> 103a5275a66a500ddd2dee8d9b4f80e4 Jenny Robinson's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33878/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:56:14 -0700 0 1a9a34596f6d9baaf94f3fdc02151f28 Sarvenaz Bakhtiary's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33877/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:54:20 -0700 0 b08b557ad2a0f455dce4150178072493 Tania Coull replied to the topic Managed IT Services in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/managed-it-services-2/#post-78597 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:03:53 -0700 Our firm uses BMC and since being taken over by Telus we find the support service level and technician knowledge have declined and projects are poorly planned/communicated/managed. CSM’s are responsive and sympathetic, but it’s frustrating, especially when they provided us with such good service in the past.

]]> 43f6ad64e0a9f62ef129bfc072cfb97a Gurleen Kaur's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33875/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:16:55 -0700 0 3eedf878264e535f0dc4b817b81f82b9 Kirsten Whitley replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78590 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:24:47 -0700 Management is currently reviewing our report and communications. We will likely post by early next week

Kirsten

]]> 57b9a951b80594c6a363f9f580d64bbb Amy Han's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33873/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:39:55 -0700 0 2313d4782ff89ba02bac67de9751782c Melissa Nichol replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78584 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:42:14 -0700 Hi Christin!

We haven’t completed the reports quite yet. We are still allowing employees to update their gender (should they choose) but we don’t anticipate that we will have any trouble meeting the November 1 deadline.

If you have a publicly accessible website, you do have to publish it there. If you don’t have a publicly accessible website,…Read more

]]> 2f0e40854ff462c6ecb310430e9e5134 Karen Vandervoort replied to the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/#post-78583 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:41:34 -0700 Hi Christin. I am in the process of preparing our report. The legislation required the report to be posted on a website or other location where it is publicly available, and not just accessible to employees.

]]> 358737c700cdeb5e46b71105b2e5d87e Christin Tschacher started the topic Pay Transparency Reports in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/pay-transparency-reports/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:35:19 -0700 Hi there,
With the deadline approaching, have any of you posted reports publicly on their website?
Are we permitted to distribute copies of the report directly to our employees instead?
Thanks!

]]> 33908db0f05997efed7e537f08fdee7a Svetlana Khakhleva's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33869/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:45:03 -0700 0 14741d51fdd5298c91abff3a60051c8b Robyn Benjamin replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78572 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:23:20 -0700 As a small firm, we have capacity to give everyone a birthday card and a group treat of their choice to be shared with in one in office that day. We also provide a paid day off to everyone on their birthday as a thank you/wellness perk. There are a few parameters to the birthday day off to make sure the practice meets the intentions of offering…Read more

]]> 937d5117205ece9bffe8c5a62c73f32a Svetlana Khakhleva became a registered member https://bclma.org/activity/p/33867/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:45:48 -0700 0 e0c7f1c27f9e963d5e37f6fbd9ecf216 Jennifer Funk replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78561 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:32:20 -0700 We celebrate staff birthdays monthly with a pizza lunch and cake, and a $50 gift card for everyone who has a birthday that month.

]]> 3433a5875064ebbd1f0e48fbf4a1dfd1 Kim Bates replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78554 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 20:44:26 -0700 Hi – we are a mid sized firm. We send an email out at the beginning of each month recognizing the bdays. We also give a card with a $25 GC on the actual day. We usually also do a monthly lunch and celebrate everyone but we will be stopping the lunches and carrying on with the rest. Hope that helps!

]]> 36b5a580d12dafdd1b72a0a459117786 Alison Fletcher replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78542 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:55:03 -0700 Thanks very much everyone!

Alison

]]> e077d671f3d16f98ffc15868415a00da Michelle Yang replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78540 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:35:21 -0700 Boutique firm — we do an announcement on teams, a birthday card, and a giftcard (usually Amazon).

We talked about doing monthly cake days but maybe next year.

]]> cac2b25e74bb57fba2a307f9d4b43aed Claudia Mendoza replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78539 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:13:30 -0700 At the beginning of the month, we send all staff with upcoming birthdays a survey where they can choose a $25 gift card (Sephora, Cactus Club, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Chapters etc). They also have the option of making a donation to a charity of their choice for $25 instead of the GC.

]]> 2247bd1acb8a8993e429cf865b13a9f5 Rubyna Jinnah replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78537 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:08:34 -0700 We celebrate our birthdays quarterly with cake. At the celebration, we have cake and wish everyone a happy birthday. It gives people a chance to mingle with each other if they don’t necessarily see each other daily due to being on another floor. HR will also send a birthday email to people on their birthday.

]]> 74ae674caa8524a82492ee3f48084187 Cadence Konopaki's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33859/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:06:21 -0700 0 827ed05c23d710220f9825ccfe80eee3 Cadence Konopaki replied to the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/#post-78536 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:05:19 -0700 We have an internal announcement on the day of someone’s birthday, but that’s it.

]]> aa4195996cdbe2f6ef9c3ba7b7a35328 Emma Chen replied to the topic EFT Return of Trust Funds in the forum Finance Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/finance-subsection/forum/topic/eft-return-of-trust-funds/#post-78535 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:27:30 -0700 CIBC CMO

]]> 11b2d2b6c6f0b2fa98fa6191c4579ab3 Alison Fletcher started the topic Birthday Recognition in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/birthday-recognition/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:23:31 -0700 Hello all,

We are re-looking at our staff birthday recognition and are interested in what other firms do, if anything, in this regard. Currently we provide a gift card of staff’s choice on their birthday. In the past we have had a monthly birthday cake however moved away from that around Covid time. I’m also noticing people don’t necessarily…Read more

]]> c53abbf79019a7463fedb6dc06567e25 Kelly Petz replied to the topic EFT Return of Trust Funds in the forum Finance Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/finance-subsection/forum/topic/eft-return-of-trust-funds/#post-78504 Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:43:37 -0700 We use CIBC and their product called CMO. We send lots of EFTs, e-transfers and wires through it. All with associated fees of course. The bookkeeper has the “create” rights of the payments and the partners approve them. Works well for us.

]]>