December 3, 2020
Law Society Reduces 2021 Practice Fee by 10 Per Cent
As the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic continues to affect the legal community in Alberta, the Law Society has focused on cost recovery throughout 2020 to allow for a fee reduction of 10 per cent in 2021. The Law Society of Alberta Board has set the 2021 practice fee at $2,340 per active lawyer, following four years of practice fees at $2,600 per active lawyer. 

In March 2020, the Law Society undertook a comprehensive budget review to identify opportunities to reduce spending as operational needs shifted due to the pandemic. Budgeting during this time requires careful consideration of the short, medium, and longer-term effects, balanced against the Law Society’s commitment to achieving its strategic goals through proactive regulation.

Invoices for 2021 practice fees will become available February 2021. 
2021 Practice Fees Available for Payment via two Instalments
Starting in 2021, the Law Society is implementing the option of an instalment plan for payment of the annual practice fee to give lawyers more flexibility around fee payment. By moving fee payment to two equal, annual instalments, lawyers now have the option of spreading their financial obligations through the year rather than paying one lump sum. 

If lawyers opt to make instalment payments, the first payment is due on March 15, 2021, with the second payment due on September 15, 2021. There will be an additional $50 service charge on the March 15 deadline for lawyers who opt to pay their fees in instalments. Lawyers are also welcome to continue paying the entire fee in one lump sum payment on March 15, 2021.

This change to instalment payments aligns us with the other Law Societies in Canada, all of whom who offer instalment payments for their practice fees. More information regarding practice fees and payment can be found on the Law Society website.
Ken Warren, QC Elected President-Elect for 2021-2022
Ken Warren, QC has been elected by the Benchers as the incoming President-Elect. He will join Darlene W. Scott, QC, who will take over as President from Kent Teskey, QC in February for the 2021-22 term.

Mr. Warren obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Calgary.

He is currently a partner at Gowling WLG, where he practises in the area of commercial dispute resolution with a focus on shareholder disputes, professional liability defence, executive employment law and mediation. Mr. Warren joined the Law Society of Alberta Board in 2018.

"I am honored to be elected by my fellow Benchers as President-Elect," says Warren. "We are about to close the first year of an ambitious 5 year strategic plan, managed in the challenging pandemic environment."

"The four goals of that plan – Innovative and Proactive Regulation, Competence and Wellness, Access, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – will continue to guide our ongoing work."
2021-2022 Executive Committee
The 2021-22 Executive Committee will be Darlene W. Scott, QC (President), Ken Warren, QC (President-Elect), Bill Hendsbee, QC, Cal Johnson, QC, Stacy Petriuk, QC, Deanna Steblyk, QC, Barbara McKinley and Kent Teskey, QC (Past President).

We congratulate the incoming Executive Committee. For more information on the Committee and its members, visit the Law Society website.