November 2016
This month’s spotlight is on Frank Falzon, KC, one of the co-chairs of our upcoming Administrative Law Conference on November 18, 2016.
How and why did you get involved with CLEBC?
I had the great privilege of starting my legal career in the Constitutional and Administrative Law Section of the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General. As a young lawyer, it was my great good fortune to have had as mentors the great E.R.A. Edwards, KC, Joseph J. Arvay, KC, and George H. Copley, KC among many other outstanding counsel who made lasting contributions to public law in Canada. Each of those great (and busy) lawyers had a profound commitment to continuing legal education and to CLEBC in particular. Working with CLEBC was part of the ethos of government counsel – it was part of what it meant to be a professional. While it has for me now been over 20 years in private practice since leaving the Ministry, I never forgot the lessons I learned about the importance of giving back to the profession in this way, and about how very helpful this kind of service is to one’s own professional development, particularly in what Chief Justice McLachlin recently called the “thicket” of Administrative Law.
What are you are currently working on (or have most recently worked on) with CLEBC?
Co-chair Elena Miller and I are currently working on the planning and preparations for the 2016 Administrative Law Conference, scheduled for Friday, November 18, 2016 in Vancouver.
What has been your most memorable CLEBC experience?
Without a doubt, my most memorable CLEBC experience was being on a debating team with my hero David Mullan, pitted against my other hero John Evans and valued co-chair and friend, Angus Gunn, KC. It was “Shakespeare and the standard of review”, all in one debate. (Contrary to the verdicts of John and Angus, David Mullan tells me we trounced them).
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you have received?
Be authentic.
What advice would you give newcomers interested in working in the legal profession?
Be authentic. And work hard.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career?
The most rewarding part of my career has been the gift of working day to day with the many wonderful clients that I have had the privilege of serving. I have had the opportunity over the past 27 years of practice to assist a wide range of statutory decision-makers. Statutory decision-makers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and yet I am constantly struck by how universal a reality it is that persons placed in that position display a profound commitment to doing their very best to realize their commitment to the rule of law. While particular efforts may or may not withstand review by another body, it is for me a great gift to serve individuals whose sole focus is trying to reach the right decision in a fair and lawful way.
Other than law, what are you passionate about?
Just about anything beautiful, especially my family, my faith, the art of jazz drumming, and coaching the beautiful game of soccer.
How and why did you get involved with CLEBC?
I had the great privilege of starting my legal career in the Constitutional and Administrative Law Section of the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General. As a young lawyer, it was my great good fortune to have had as mentors the great E.R.A. Edwards, KC, Joseph J. Arvay, KC, and George H. Copley, KC among many other outstanding counsel who made lasting contributions to public law in Canada. Each of those great (and busy) lawyers had a profound commitment to continuing legal education and to CLEBC in particular. Working with CLEBC was part of the ethos of government counsel – it was part of what it meant to be a professional. While it has for me now been over 20 years in private practice since leaving the Ministry, I never forgot the lessons I learned about the importance of giving back to the profession in this way, and about how very helpful this kind of service is to one’s own professional development, particularly in what Chief Justice McLachlin recently called the “thicket” of Administrative Law.
What are you are currently working on (or have most recently worked on) with CLEBC?
Co-chair Elena Miller and I are currently working on the planning and preparations for the 2016 Administrative Law Conference, scheduled for Friday, November 18, 2016 in Vancouver.
What has been your most memorable CLEBC experience?
Without a doubt, my most memorable CLEBC experience was being on a debating team with my hero David Mullan, pitted against my other hero John Evans and valued co-chair and friend, Angus Gunn, KC. It was “Shakespeare and the standard of review”, all in one debate. (Contrary to the verdicts of John and Angus, David Mullan tells me we trounced them).
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you have received?
Be authentic.
What advice would you give newcomers interested in working in the legal profession?
Be authentic. And work hard.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career?
The most rewarding part of my career has been the gift of working day to day with the many wonderful clients that I have had the privilege of serving. I have had the opportunity over the past 27 years of practice to assist a wide range of statutory decision-makers. Statutory decision-makers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and yet I am constantly struck by how universal a reality it is that persons placed in that position display a profound commitment to doing their very best to realize their commitment to the rule of law. While particular efforts may or may not withstand review by another body, it is for me a great gift to serve individuals whose sole focus is trying to reach the right decision in a fair and lawful way.
Other than law, what are you passionate about?
Just about anything beautiful, especially my family, my faith, the art of jazz drumming, and coaching the beautiful game of soccer.