Joel Altman 
- Partner, Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio LLP
- Member, Law Society of British Columbia
- Member, Canadian Bar Association including sub-section memberships in Business Law, Elder Law, Real Property, Wills and Estates, and former member of the Professional Services Committee
- Member, Vancouver Bar Association
- Associate Member, American Bar Association including sub-section membership in Elder Law
- Instructor, Professional Legal Training Course of the Continuing Legal Education, Society of British Columbia
- Author for the American Bar Association, Section on Economics of Law Practice (“How to Run Your Law Practice”)
- Panelist, University of British Columbia Dept. of Family Practice
- Director of closely-held corporations
- BA, University of British Columbia, 1966
- LLB, University of British Columbia, 1969
- Admitted to the Bar of British Columbia on May 15, 1970
My role is to advance and protect the interests of my clients. Having had extensive experience in contract negotiation, documentation and dispute resolution, I advise my business clients on a variety of matters including solutions to legal issues arising in the course of their operations. Together we review the available options, and I assist them in evaluating the likely consequences of a particular decision. As a result of this process, my clients are better informed and are therefore able to exercise better judgement.
I find it fulfilling to help keep my clients’ personal and business lives running smoothly so far as legal matters are concerned. I try to avoid unpleasant surprises by planning for the worst but always hoping for the best. My clients derive greater benefit when I practise preventive rather than remedial law—when they consult me before making significant legal decisions.
Since my call to the Bar in 1970, I’ve also prepared hundreds of Wills and administered many estates. In so doing, I have developed considerable experience in dealing with many unique issues. I advise my clients on their estate planning needs and on succession planning for their business interests. On estate matters, I guide the personal representative through the various legal requirements in order to complete the administration as quickly as possible but with sensitivity to the loss suffered by the family.
I am particularly familiar with the difficulties encountered while caring for parents and other relatives whose abilities to administer their affairs may have diminished. I frequently work with the younger generation not only to meet the legal requirements of their elder loved ones but also to provide guidance in respect of their emotional, physical, and financial needs.
I seek to exceed my clients’ expectations regarding the delivery of legal services and take pride in being well-organized and readily accessible. My favorite quote of unknown origin is: “If you want to get a job done, ask a busy man.”
I also derive great satisfaction from mentoring younger lawyers and assisting them to develop their practices with a commitment to excellence and client service.
My other interests include jogging, cycling, skiing, travel, reading, music, photography and classic cars.