Open brown leather wallet with multiple card slots, held by a person with light skin and painted nails, on a wooden surface, containing some credit or debit cards and a card with a barcode.

Managing Financial Abuse in Resolution
and Settlement

December 15, 2026

alarm 02:00PM - 3:00PM (PCT)

Instructor: Heather Wojcik, Andrea Glen
verified1.0 CPD Credit
play_lesson 1 hour
local_offer CA$100

  • Explore case law relevant to financial abuse in family law cases

  • Develop practical approaches to due diligence, process selection, communication and retainer management,

  • Create the time and space clients need to make informed settlement decisions.

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Protecting client interests in settlement .

In the final session of our Fall Series, we examine how financial abuse can affect settlement processes in family law matters. While settlement may still be possible, these matters often require additional precautions to support informed decision-making and protect clients’ interests.

Participants will explore practical considerations for conducting due diligence, determining whether mediation or a settlement conference is appropriate, and creating sufficient time and space within the settlement process. The session will also address relevant case law, high levels of communication between counsel and clients, and strategies for managing retainers in files involving ongoing financial abuse.

By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to recognize and respond to financial abuse in settlement and structure processes that support fair, informed, and sustainable outcomes.

About the Instructors

Heather Wojcik (she her) is the Managing Lawyer of Rise's Community Legal Clinic (CLC). She is privileged to supervise and support the passionate and skilled CLC team. Heather was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Dalhousie University and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Victoria. Before joining Rise, she practiced law at a small family law firm in Downtown Vancouver. Earlier, she held a senior leadership and staff lawyer role at Access Pro Bono. There she oversaw pro bono legal service programs and built partnerships between the private bar and community organizations. 

Heather shares Rise's commitment to advancing access to justice for women and gender-diverse people, particularly those who have experienced family violence.

She is also passionate about supporting families of every shape secure the legal recognition they deserve.

Andrea Glen (she/her) is a Family Law Mediator and Lawyer based on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.  

Andrea obtained her law degree from Harvard Law School in 2007, and has practised law since 2008, focusing exclusively on family law since 2013.

Currently, most of Andrea’s professional work is as a neutral mediator for people who are trying to resolve family law disputes. She also acts as a lawyer for clients in the Collaborative Divorce process.

Andrea committed to ensuring that clients feel empowered to participate safely, fully and authentically in consensual dispute resolution processes and to making these processes as accessible as possible. Andrea has volunteered with Rise in various capacities since its founding in 2016 and acted as the Interim Supervising Lawyer for Rise's Virtual Legal Clinic in 2024.  

Register

Can’t make it? This course will be available on-demand for registrants.

Explore the Fall Series: Financial Abuse in Family Law

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    A Primer on Financial Abuse

    calendar_today September 15, 2026
    alarm 12:00PM - 1:30PM (PCT)
    verified1.5 CPD Credits

    GABRIELLE CLARK, SHANNON GLENN

    Recogize financial abuse and protect financial independance.

    Learn More
  • Close-up of a hand holding crumpled five-dollar Canadian bill with a textured black bag with zippers in the background.

    Screening for Financial Abuse

    calendar_today October 29, 2026
    alarm 12:00PM - 2:00PM (PCT)
    verified2.0 CPD Credits

    VICKY LAW, SAMANTHA CLARKE

    Prepare early, strengthen your case.

    Learn More
  • Close-up of the hands of two people holding and examining multiple receipts and paper.

    Managing Financial Abuse in Litigation

    calendar_today November 24, 2026
    alarm 12:00PM - 1:30PM (PCT)
    verified1.5 CPD Credits

    VANDANA SOOD, KIMI CHEONG

    Litigation strategies and remedies.

    Learn More