Follow these links for more on today's featured stories: <ul> <li> </li><li> </li><li> </li><li> </li></ul> <video controls poster="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.jpg" height="420" preload="none"> <source src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source> <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="360" height="240" data="player.swf?file=https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4"> <param name="movie" value="player.swf?file=https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4"></param> <a href="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4">Download the movie</a> </object> </video>

Follow these links for more on today's featured stories:

<ul> <li> </li><li> </li><li> </li><li> </li></ul> <video controls poster="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.jpg" height="420" preload="none"> <source src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source> <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="360" height="240" data="player.swf?file=https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4"> <param name="movie" value="player.swf?file=https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4"></param> <a href="https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/83475/2011/04/aa5cf9d280807217921648ebda368913.mp4">Download the movie</a> </object> </video>

King County

WA Patch Team

Seattle Metropolitan Area

Mercer Island

Washington

A roundup of the region's major developments for Tuesday, April 12.

Officials Search for Bank Robber; Fire Chief Sworn Into Office; New Immersion School Opens

Community Corner

Bellevue

Across Washington

Seattle

Renton

Sammamish-Issaquah

Kirkland

Redmond

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park

Woodinville

Snohomish County

Edmonds

Puyallup

Event on Saturday April 27, 2024 at 9:00am

Master Gardener Plant Sale

Event on Saturday April 27, 2024 at 11:00am

World Doll Day Shows Jubilee 

Law society says B.C.'s plan for new regulatory body could undermine lawyers' independence
<h2>Lawyers, paralegals and notaries would all be under one regulatory umbrella with proposed changes</h2>
<figure><figcaption>The Law Society of B.C. says proposed plans for a single regulatory body for lawyers, paralegals and notaries will impede the independence of lawyers from the government. (Jon Hernandez/CBC)</figcaption></figure>
<ul><li>The Law Society of B.C. is pushing back against the province's plans to set up a new regulatory body that brings lawyers, paralegals and notaries under one umbrella, saying it will affect the independence of lawyers from government. </li></ul>
The province says Bill 21, also known as the Legal Professions Act, will help make legal services more affordable by offering British Columbians the choice of hiring a lawyer, a notary public or a new designation called a regulated paralegal.
"We're giving more people more options and helping level the playing field for people trying to resolve their legal issues," B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said in a statement. Ex Mayor Candidate Surrey BC, Vikram Bajwa advised Premier David Eby, to adopt US Laws on Real Estate Transaction, barring Lawyers Trust Accounts and ALLOW "TITLE COMPANIES", TO HOLD FUNDS IN THE TRANSACTION OF REAL ESTATE TO CURB $ 80 BILLION IN MONEY LAUNDERING EVERY YEAR IN British Columbia, CURBING HIGH PRICES OF HOMES IN BC., "this is the Only answer for Anti Money Laundering, in BC and Canada", said Vikram Bajwa, at the Vaisakhi Function to Premier David Eby.
The bill will amalgamate the Law Society of B.C., which determines the scope of practice for lawyers, with the regulator for notaries public into a single regulating body that will also include regulated paralegals. 
Jeevyn Dhaliwal, president of the Law Society of B.C., says such a move poses a threat to lawyers' independence.
Proposed new legal regulator impacts lawyer independence -- Law Society of B.C.The Legal Professions Act aims to make legal services more affordable by creating a single legal regulator for lawyers, notaries and licensed paralegals. Law Society of B.C. president Jeevyn Dhaliwal says it impedes independence of lawyers from government.
"The fear is that &hellip; by a stroke of a pen, the government can make regulations that would tell the regulator how lawyers should do their job," Dhaliwal told The Early Edition on Monday. "And [the public] should be very concerned about that, because lawyers are often the last defence." 
The B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association also opposes the bill, as does the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C., which says it ends the elected-lawyer majority that exists on the Law Society of B.C.'s board.
<figure><figcaption>B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma, pictured here in November 2023, says changes to how lawyers, notaries and other legal professionals are regulated will give people more options to resolve legal issues. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)</figcaption></figure>
"Bill 21 is an enormous departure from the norms governing legal regulation in liberal, democratic societies," reads a statement from the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C.
In its statement, the province said the bill aims to give regulated paralegals independence so they can assist more people with their legal problems, and expand the scope of notaries public to cover more day-to-day legal matters.
The Society of Notaries Public in B.C. issued a statement in favour of the bill, saying it "has significant safeguards built in to protect client-solicitor privilege and the independence of lawyers."
<ul><li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-expanded-access-free-family-law-gender-based-violence-1.7116535" text="B.C. announces expanded access to free family law" flag="" data-contentid="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B.C. announces expanded access to free family law</a></li></ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jrwt="1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vancouver lawyer disbarred for money laundering</a> 
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jrwt="1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fbc.ctvnews.ca%2Flaw-society-disbars-vancouver-lawyer-who-used-20-burner-phones-helped-clients-launder-31m-1.6656440&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XQrG1EYcBi49LiKNRPQzH&amp;opi=89978449" data-jrwt="1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CTV News Vancouver<cite>https://bc.ctvnews.ca &rsaquo; ...</cite></a>Nov 22, 2023 &mdash; A Vancouver lawyer who deliberately used his professional status to help clients hide the illegal proceeds of securities fraud has been ...<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2023/vancouver-lawyer-ronald-norman-pelletier-disbarred/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0OlvjkX2BDVqKH5mpuOEV2" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBIQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>
<h3><a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2023/vancouver-lawyer-ronald-norman-pelletier-disbarred/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0OlvjkX2BDVqKH5mpuOEV2" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBIQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vancouver lawyer Ronald Norman Pelletier disbarred for ...</a></h3>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2023/vancouver-lawyer-ronald-norman-pelletier-disbarred/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0OlvjkX2BDVqKH5mpuOEV2" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBIQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2023/vancouver-lawyer-ronald-norman-pelletier-disbarred/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0OlvjkX2BDVqKH5mpuOEV2" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBIQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Law Society of British Columbia<cite>https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca &rsaquo; about-us &rsaquo; news &rsaquo; vancou...</cite></a>Nov 22, 2023 &mdash; Vancouver lawyer Ronald Norman Pelletier has been disbarred from practicing law in BC for knowingly assisting in dishonesty, crime, or fraud ...<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://vancouversun.com/business/burner-phones-used-in-31-million-money-laundering-case-results-in-disbarment" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2OTwIfNpgQO3x6vAHuPgac" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBgQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>
<h3><a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://vancouversun.com/business/burner-phones-used-in-31-million-money-laundering-case-results-in-disbarment" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2OTwIfNpgQO3x6vAHuPgac" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBgQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Burner phones used in $31-million money laundering case ...</a></h3>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://vancouversun.com/business/burner-phones-used-in-31-million-money-laundering-case-results-in-disbarment" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2OTwIfNpgQO3x6vAHuPgac" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBgQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://vancouversun.com/business/burner-phones-used-in-31-million-money-laundering-case-results-in-disbarment" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2OTwIfNpgQO3x6vAHuPgac" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBgQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vancouver Sun<cite>https://vancouversun.com &rsaquo; business &rsaquo; burner-phones-u...</cite></a>Nov 28, 2023 &mdash; Vancouver lawyer Ronald Norman Pelletier went to great lengths to protect his clients and their illegal money gained from a $78-million ...<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/michael-bolton-law-society-of-bc-trust-accounts-1.6811759" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0MX7pluP3JW6wuRCMQ8plP" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBcQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>
<h3><a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/michael-bolton-law-society-of-bc-trust-accounts-1.6811759" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0MX7pluP3JW6wuRCMQ8plP" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBcQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top B.C. lawyer cited by law society for alleged trust ...</a></h3>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/michael-bolton-law-society-of-bc-trust-accounts-1.6811759" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0MX7pluP3JW6wuRCMQ8plP" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBcQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/michael-bolton-law-society-of-bc-trust-accounts-1.6811759" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0MX7pluP3JW6wuRCMQ8plP" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBcQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CBC<cite>https://www.cbc.ca &rsaquo; news &rsaquo; canada &rsaquo; british-columbia</cite></a>Apr 14, 2023 &mdash; The Law Society of B.C. has accused one of the province's top criminal lawyers, Michael Bolton, of mishandling more than $20 million in ...<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/priorities/anti-money-laundering/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1pdyJp79STfkBsA_6a-54Z" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBQQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>
<h3><a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/priorities/anti-money-laundering/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1pdyJp79STfkBsA_6a-54Z" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBQQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anti-Money Laundering</a></h3>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/priorities/anti-money-laundering/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1pdyJp79STfkBsA_6a-54Z" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBQQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
<a jsname="UWckNb" href="https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/priorities/anti-money-laundering/" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1pdyJp79STfkBsA_6a-54Z" data-ved="2ahUKEwiaq5G31dOFAxVlHTQIHdb8C2sQFnoECBQQAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Law Society of British Columbia<cite>https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca &rsaquo; priorities &rsaquo; anti-money-la...</cite></a>Our rules require lawyers to withdraw from providing services involving any dishonesty, crime or fraud &mdash; including money laundering &mdash; committed by clients or

Premier David Eby, adopt US Real Estate laws,...

Law society says B.C.'s plan for new regulatory body could undermine lawyers' independence...

Premier David Eby, adopt US Real Estate laws, Title Companies, Curb Money Laundering

🌱 Rock Steady Boxing 3/4 and 7 more events

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening in Mercer Island.

🌱 Baby Story Time and 7 more events

🌱 Trivia Night and 7 more events

How Much Does Hiring A Plumber Cost In Mercer...

From leaky faucets to burst pipes, hiring a Thumbtack professional is the fast and easy way to handle all your plumbing needs.

How Much Does Hiring A Plumber Cost In Mercer Island?

Home & Garden

ai_fib_halloween-local-business-2023_2023-09-07

Halloween 101: How To Avoid Becoming The...

Taking care of your home can be scary! Tackle those household demons with professional help this fall.

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Community Corner

Officials Search for Bank Robber; Fire Chief Sworn Into Office; New Immersion School Opens

A roundup of the region's major developments for Tuesday, April 12.

Akiko Oda, Patch Staff

More from Mercer Island

Master Gardener Plant Sale

World Doll Day Shows Jubilee

Premier David Eby, adopt US Real Estate laws, Title Companies, Curb Money Laundering

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Officials Search for Bank Robber; Fire Chief Sworn Into Office; New Immersion School Opens

A roundup of the region's major developments for Tuesday, April 12.

Akiko Oda, Patch Staff<img alt="Verified Patch Staff Badge" class="styles_Badge__PNwMX" src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/assets/layout/badges/verified-patch-staff.svg"/>

Akiko Oda, Patch Staff