Seminar Overview:
Conflict is an inherent feature of legal practice. Lawyers routinely engage with individuals who are experiencing stress, uncertainty, and, at times, significant personal crisis. These realities can give rise to challenging interactions – whether with anxious clients, opposing parties, or others involved in the legal process.
This seminar provides a practical, structured framework for navigating difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism and effectiveness. It will explore why emotions often run high in legal contexts and how lawyers can respond in a way that de-escalates tension rather than exacerbates it.
Participants will be introduced to communication strategies for working with a range of challenging behaviours and circumstances, including highly reactive personalities, cultural and language differences, and clients dealing with mental health concerns or trauma. The session will also address common scenarios such as managing oversharing, setting appropriate boundaries, and responding to incivility or aggression.
In addition, the seminar will focus on the lawyer’s own role in these interactions. Participants will learn practical techniques for maintaining composure in the moment, as well as strategies for managing the cumulative impact of difficult interactions over time.
This session is designed to equip lawyers with tools they can immediately apply in practice to foster more effective communication, reduce conflict, and support both professional well-being and client service.
Seminar Presenter:
Maggie O’Connell, Advocacy & Communications Specialist, Energy NL
Maggie is communications professional from St. John’s, NL. In her current role, she promotes local sustainable development in the province’s evolving energy sector. With a background in corporate communications, writing, and event coordination, Maggie brings a thoughtful, community-focused approach to her work. She designs and facilitates workshops that strengthen communication strategies and digital literacy. Passionate about diversity, collaboration, and creative storytelling, she holds a Master of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a BA in Communication Studies from Memorial University.
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/maggie-o-connell-02184b159
Registration Fee: $28.75 ($25.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 1.25 hours