The lawyer is representing the CBA in a challenge against a law reforming BC’s legal regulator
The Canadian Bar Association’s British Columbia Branch has tapped Connor Bildfell as its president for the next year, effective Tuesday.
A Vancouver-based partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s litigation group, Bildfell was one of the lawyers representing the national CBA when it intervened in the Law Society of BC’s constitutional challenge of the province’s Legal Professions Act, which looks to bring lawyers, notaries, and paralegals under a single new regulator. The LSBC has long regulated only lawyers.
Bildfell will continue to serve as counsel for the CBA as the LSBC appeals an April ruling finding the controversial law constitutional. The CBA has asked the BC Court of Appeal for permission to intervene in the appeal.
Speaking to Canadian Lawyer on Monday, Bildfell identified the Legal Professions Act as one of the biggest challenges BC lawyers are currently facing.
The legislation, which passed in 2024 but has largely not been implemented due to the ongoing litigation, seeks to reduce the proportion of seats held by lawyer-elected lawyers on the new regulator’s governing board. The change would effectively give lawyer-elected lawyers a minority presence on the board, alongside members elected by notaries, paralegals, the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and the board itself.
The CBA was among several parties in the Legal Professions Act challenge that argued that the change would affect BC lawyers’ ability to self-govern.
“Our main concern is protecting the independence of the bar so that the public is adequately served,” Bildfell says. “Independence of the bar is a bedrock condition of a well-functioning justice system.
“Everybody should have access to a lawyer who is independent – in other words, who acts in the best interest of their client without any undue influence or pressure from any other parties, particularly government,” Bildfell adds. “That’s essential because oftentimes clients are facing government in litigation or in navigating complex social security systems, and people need to have utmost confidence that lawyers are acting independently in their best interests, of course, within the balance of their ethical duties.”
Bildfell says in his view, the CBABC “is essentially the advocate for the advocates” in the province. He argues that the BC branch’s role is to champion the rule of law, an independent bar, and a stronger legal profession.
During his year-long term, Bildfell plans to enhance the CBABC’s advocacy efforts by making recommendations to governments, regulators, and courts. He also plans to speak out on issues that impact the public.
He has served as chair of CBABC committees that focus on access to justice and policy and advocacy.
In a statement on Tuesday, CBABC CEO Kerry Simmons said Bildfell “has shown a deep commitment to helping lawyers serve the interests of British Columbians and ensure that our laws and legal systems are fair and equitable.”
Bildfell says, “I really do believe in what CBABC does.”
He adds, “Getting to be a part of this organization, and getting to step up as president over the coming year, is really a dream come true.”
