Canadian Lawyer

w w w . c a n a d i a n l a w y e r m a g . c o m S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 13 was a fascinating experience being part of a startup," he said. "As a lawyer, you are trained to give advice and build consensus. In the early days of a business, you are told to make a decision. If it is a mistake, fix it. It's a dif- ferent approach," he says. Mutter moved on to become president of the former B.C. Liberal govern- ment's Premier's Technology Council. By 2009, he was in Kelowna and returned to law with a wide breadth and depth of the technol- ogy industry. Mutter travels between Kelowna and Van- couver and is focused on mainly large dollar deals in Vancouver, and is currently working on a proposal to raise $120 million. But, Kelowna's buzz in the tech sector reminds him of Vancouver's early-start days 30 years ago when he started, Mutter says. But now, the sector's growth rate is faster. "It is definitely punching above its weight," he says. Kelowna's success results from the "ecosystem" in place in the city, Mutter says. There are two educational outlets: the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Okanagan College Cen- tre of Excellence, which both have innovation and technol- ogy programs. As well, there is a historical base of sea- soned tech support individu- als and companies able to mesh with ideas people. The atmosphere is also appealing to Vancouver tech companies who find lower-cost office space in the Okanagan, while U.S. clients find the exchange rate a bonus. It has all com- bined to create "a critical mass" powering the industry growth, he says. "The Valhalla Angels are right across Western Canada and there is an active group in the Okanagan," Mutter says, as they actively get companies investment ready. The Valhalla Angels group has brought more than $54 million in private capital to fund nearly 200 Western Canadian deals. Mutter estimates that there are approximately 15 lawyers and five law firms in the Okanagan area cur- rently doing startups and technology-related law, but there is room for more. "I don't know why there are not 20 firms," he says, add- ing that firms could easily move in a three-to-four-year call associate. For a young lawyer deciding to move to the Okanagan, "that's not a tough call," says Mutter. — Jean Sorensen R E G I O N A L W R A P "You watch [startups] go to the next part and also get involved if they are selling. It is really exciting…" Steven Morrison Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP Well-known condominium authority Audrey Loeb brings you up to date on all the opportunities and challenges of the Condominium Act, 1998, as well as other complex issues arising in condominium law. New to ProView The eBook will now be available on the Thomson Reuters ProView® platform, a professional eBook experience. As the legislation is updated, we'll keep you current with ongoing updates. Access your online subscription on ProView through your computer, smartphone, or tablet. PUBLISHING SOON The Condominium Act: A User's Manual, 5th Edition (Ontario 2018) Audrey Loeb, LSM, B.A., LL.B., LL.M. © 2018 Thomson Reuters Canada Limited 00249JI-93174-NK CALL TO PRE-ORDER To order or to receive the subscription discount, please call toll-free 1-800-387-5164 (Toronto and international 416-609-3800) or visit store.thomsonreuters.ca/condo-book For more information about ProView, visit store.thomsonreuters.ca/proview *Online version on ProView will be updated periodically and kept current with the legislation at a nominal charge. You can cancel your order at any time. Subscription coverage: you'll continue to receive ongoing updates until the next edition. Print softcover + Online subscription * with ongoing updates $180 Online subscription * with ongoing updates $129 Print only $129 Order # L7798-8633-65203 Softcover approx. 900 pages October 2018 978-0-7798-8633-3 SAVE 30%

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