This month’s spotlight shines on Chelsea Wilson of RLR Lawyers
How did you first get involved with CLEBC?
I have had the good fortune of always working at law firms that support lawyer training and development and share my view of the importance of contributing to the legal community. I think it was Justice Francis who initially involved me as a presenter at an estate litigation course and Genevieve Taylor who first gave me the opportunity to work on one of the CLEBC manuals. I really enjoyed working on these CLEBC projects with Justice Francis and Genevieve, both of whom I greatly admire and respect.
What are you currently working on (or have most recently worked on) with CLEBC?
I last presented at the Estate Litigation Update course in the fall of 2024, which I thought was an excellent course. I am really excited about my current project, which is chairing the Planning for Health Care and Financial Decisions course in April 2025. When this course was initially launched years ago, it was primarily focused on MAiD. The course has grown to include not just updates on MAiD, but also other topics regarding planning for health care and financial decision-making. It is a unique conference in that our presenters include both legal professionals and medical professionals. I am really looking forward to it!
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
My plan when I went to university was to pursue a career in business. My undergraduate degree is in Commerce. In my third year of Commerce, I took some law courses and got really excited about what I was learning. I had a friend who was writing his LSAT and he encouraged me to write mine too. I then spent a summer working at a law firm to try to get a better sense of whether this was something that I would enjoy. There are no other lawyers in my family and I did not really know any lawyers before then. I had a great time that summer and saw that through a career in law I had a real chance to help people and impact their lives in a positive way. So off I went to law school and the rest is history! I love my job. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to make a difference for people each and every day.
Your practice includes both estate planning and estate litigation. Do you feel that you are more a solicitor or more a barrister at heart?
If I have to pick, I would say I am more a barrister at heart. A lot of the estate planning I do is focused on trying to ward off future estate litigation, so the different parts of my practice really work well together.
If you weren’t working in law what career path would you have chosen?
I would have loved to have been an equestrian showjumper and trainer. I have ridden horses and competed in showjumping my entire life. A big motivation behind my move from Vancouver to Vancouver Island was that I could have a farm with my horses right outside my door. I continue to ride whenever my schedule allows.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have received?
I have had so many wonderful personal and career mentors in my life that it is difficult to pick just one piece of advice as being the most valuable. We see so many people struggling to keep up nowadays in so many different ways. Mental health is a big concern and rightly so. I was once advised by a former lawyer/judge who I admire and respect that “law is a marathon, not a race.” I think it serves as a good reminder that even when matters seem challenging on a given day, sometimes it helps to step away as tomorrow you will have the opportunity to approach the matter with fresh eyes and renewed energy.
Other than law, what are you passionate about?
My family! I have a wonderful partner and children who fill my life with so much joy.