CBABC President Connor Bildfell: Leads Legal Professions Act Appeal

• Connor Bildfell is the president of the Canadian Bar Association’s British Columbia Branch for the 2026-27 term.
• He is actively serving as counsel for the CBA in an ongoing appeal challenging the constitutionality of British Columbia’s Legal Professions Act.
• The Act, passed in 2024, aims to create a unified regulator for lawyers, notaries, and paralegals, significantly altering the composition of its governing board.
• Bildfell and the CBA argue that the legislation's proposed changes threaten the independence of the bar and lawyers' ability to self-govern.
• He emphasizes that an independent legal profession is crucial for public service and a well-functioning justice system, especially when clients face government.

He emphasizes that an independent bar forms a fundamental pillar of a robust and well-functioning justice system.

Connor Bildfell, a Vancouver-based partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s litigation group, is the president of the Canadian Bar Association’s British Columbia Branch (CBABC) for the 2026-27 term, having commenced his role this Tuesday. His new leadership role coincides with his continued active involvement in a significant legal battle concerning the future of legal regulation in the province.

Bildfell currently serves as counsel for the national Canadian Bar Association (CBA) in a constitutional challenge against British Columbia’s Legal Professions Act. This legislation, enacted in 2024, seeks to fundamentally restructure the oversight of legal professionals by creating a single, unified regulator for lawyers, notaries, and paralegals, a departure from the Law Society of BC's (LSBC) historical mandate of regulating only lawyers. The CBA had previously intervened in the initial constitutional challenge brought by the LSBC, which resulted in an April ruling affirming the constitutionality of the controversial new law.

The legal dispute is far from over, however. The Law Society of BC is now appealing that April decision, and Bildfell will maintain his role as counsel for the CBA as the organization seeks permission from the BC Court of Appeal to intervene in the ongoing appellate proceedings. This places the new CBABC president at the forefront of a pivotal legal and regulatory debate impacting the entire legal profession in British Columbia.

The Legal Professions Act, though passed into law in 2024, has seen limited implementation due to the persistent litigation surrounding its provisions. At its core, the legislation aims to consolidate the regulatory functions for various legal professionals under one umbrella. However, a key contentious element of the Act involves a significant alteration to the governance structure of this proposed new regulator.

Specifically, the Act proposes to diminish the representation of lawyer-elected individuals on the governing board. Under the new framework, lawyer-elected members would constitute a minority presence, sharing the board with representatives elected by notaries and paralegals, as well as appointees from the Lieutenant Governor in Council and the board itself. This shift in board composition is central to the legal challenge, with critics arguing it undermines the principle of self-governance for the legal profession.

Connor Bildfell has publicly identified the Legal Professions Act as one of the most pressing issues currently confronting lawyers in British Columbia. The Canadian Bar Association, among other parties involved in the initial challenge, contended that the proposed changes to the regulator's board would directly compromise the ability of BC lawyers to govern themselves effectively.

Bildfell articulates the CBA's primary concern as safeguarding the independence of the bar, which he views as essential for adequately serving the public interest. He emphasizes that an independent bar forms a fundamental pillar of a robust and well-functioning justice system. According to Bildfell, every individual deserves access to a lawyer who operates independently, acting solely in their client's best interests without succumbing to undue influence or pressure, particularly from governmental bodies. This independence is paramount, he argues, especially when clients are engaged in litigation against the government or navigating complex social security systems, requiring unwavering confidence that their legal counsel is acting ethically and independently on their behalf.

As the newly appointed CBABC president, Bildfell envisions the organization as "the advocate for the advocates" within the province. He asserts that the British Columbia branch's fundamental mission is to champion the rule of law, uphold an independent legal profession, and foster a stronger legal community overall.

During his year-long tenure, Bildfell plans to significantly enhance the CBABC’s advocacy efforts. This will involve actively formulating and presenting recommendations to various governmental bodies, regulatory authorities, and courts. He also intends to be a vocal proponent on issues that directly affect the public. His commitment to these areas is underscored by his prior leadership as chair of CBABC committees dedicated to access to justice, as well as policy and advocacy initiatives. CBABC CEO Kerry Simmons echoed this sentiment, stating that Bildfell has consistently demonstrated a profound dedication to empowering lawyers to serve the interests of British Columbians and to ensure the fairness and equity of the province's laws and legal systems. Bildfell himself expressed his deep belief in the CBABC's mission, describing his new role as a "dream come true."

Lawyers and compliance officers in British Columbia should closely monitor the ongoing appeal regarding the BC Legal Professions Act. The outcome of this litigation, in which the new CBABC president is actively involved, will directly impact the regulatory structure of the legal profession, potentially altering self-governance and the composition of the legal regulator, which could set a precedent for other Canadian jurisdictions.

Source: Reporting based on Canadian Lawyer's coverage