Free Webinar - Overview of Amendments to the Family Violence Protection Act
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/St_Johns) | Online
Seminar Overview:
This seminar will discuss the recent amendments to the provincial Family Violence Protection Act, passed in 2024, which expanded the eligibility of Emergency Protection Order (EPO) applicants in the province. In addition, the seminar presenters will discuss the advocacy that led to this legislative change, including the issues and concerns that were presented by stakeholders, including the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate, the NL Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the RNC and RCMP, and others.
Seminar Presenters:
Michael Noseworthy, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Justice and Public Safety
Micheal Noseworthy is a lawyer and Assistant Deputy Minister with the Department of Justice and Public Safety in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. He was first called to the Bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009, after earning his undergraduate degree in Political Science, and law degree from Dalhousie University. Micheal worked in private practice in St. John’s and also spent time working in Labrador, before moving to Whitehorse, Yukon, where he worked in various senior leadership roles in the Government of Yukon focused on regulation and public protection, and was awarded the Premier’s Award of Excellence for his work towards the development of Yukon’s first ever Housing Action Plan. In 2016, Micheal moved to British Columbia to lead a newly created standalone government agency responsible for regulation of the real estate industry, and was responsible for building the office and a team to restore public trust in the regulatory system and enhance public protection. He then served as the Senior Vice President of Compliance and Market Conduct at the British Columbia Financial Services Authority after working as part of the team to create a single financial services regulator for BC. He is a former member of the boards of directors of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities of Canada, and currently sits on the Executive of the Canadian Bar Association’s Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance Section. He has appeared before and provided expert testimony to various commissions and panels, and has appeared before all levels of court in Newfoundland and Labrador. Micheal also holds a Certificate in French as a Second Language from the Université du Québec à Montréal, and a Certificate in Inclusion from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business.
Kevin O’Shea, Executive Director, Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Kevin O’Shea is the Executive Director of the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN), a role he has been in since 2014. He is proud to lead a team of dedicated and caring professionals who provide legal education and information services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador with the goal of increasing access to justice.
Originally from St. John’s, NL, Kevin completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa in 2009 and his Master of Laws at the University of Turin in 2013, with a focus on International Crime and Justice. He was called to the bar as a Member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 after articling with the Crown Attorney’s Office in St. John’s.
Kevin was appointed as a Commissioner of the Law Commission of Canada in 2024. He also currently serves as the Chair of the Access to Justice Steering Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador. Previously, Kevin as President of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada and as Chair of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kevin also has prior experience working in the fields of education and human rights advocacy in the United States, Cambodia, and Tanzania.
Susan Walsh, Seniors’ Advocate Newfoundland and Labrador

Susan began her career as a front-line Social Worker at the Waterford Hospital in 1991. It didn’t take long for her to realize that to really help people she needed to have an impact at the decision making level. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree, specializing in policy, from the University of Toronto and spent 31 years in progressive leadership positions within the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government departments of Health and Community Services, Regional Health Authority, Municipal Affairs, Labour Relations Agency, Workplace NL, Labour Relations Agency, Cabinet Secretariat and Executive Council. Susan served on various provincial and national boards, including the National Deputy Ministers Responsible for Seniors and Deputy Ministers responsible for Social Services. Her most recent role, prior to her appointment as the Seniors’ Advocate in June of 2022, was Deputy Minister of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.
PLEASE NOTE: THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS ONLINE ONLY. TO REGISTER FOR THIS SEMINAR, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
CPD Credit: 1 hour

Preventive Justice: The Quest for Certainty in Predicting Future Harm
2025-05-07 19:00
Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes Annual Law Lecture
Location: Inco Innovation Centre Lecture Theatre 2001
Free Parking in Adjacent Lot 17
Memorial University Campus

The term “preventive justice” was first used in the 18th century and linked to laws aimed at preventing future crime. In many jurisdictions based on the common law, the past few decades have seen preventive justice schemes reinvigorated in association with a focus on risk assessment tools aimed at predicting the risk of future harmful behaviour. Recently, predictive machine learning algorithms have been used to inform judicial decision-making, including sentencing. Using case studies, this lecture will explore some of the legal and ethical issues raised by preventive justice schemes and will consider whether the quest for certainty in predicting future harm is any closer to being fulfilled.
Brought to you by Memorial University, the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Featuring guest speaker:
Dr. Bernadette McSherry
Emeritus Professor of Law
University of Melbourne
This is a unique opportunity to engage with a leading expert in the field of preventive justice and to discuss the evolving role of law and technology in shaping our legal landscape. Don’t miss out on the chance to deepen your understanding of these critical issues and connect with professionals in the legal community.
View the event poster here.
Dr. Bernadette McSherry to Deliver 2025 Chief Justice Forbes Lecture

Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice: Ethics, Innovation, and Regulation
2025-05-08 13:00 - 15:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the practice of law – introducing new tools, reshaping workflows, and raising complex ethical and regulatory questions. This seminar will explore the implications of AI for legal professionals, with a particular focus on ethical duties, regulatory considerations, and how AI is being implemented in legal practice in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what AI is and how it is being used in legal settings today, including tools such as predictive analytics, document review platforms, and generative language models. The session will examine how these technologies intersect with lawyers’ professional obligations – particularly competence, confidentiality, and candour – and will consider how legal regulators might respond to ensure public protection and uphold professional standards.
In addition to legal practice, the seminar will also touch on the growing use of AI in courts and tribunals, highlighting broader trends and innovations within the justice system. The session will include practical examples from local practice and reflections on international developments, offering a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
This session is ideal for legal professionals seeking to better understand the evolving role of AI in legal services and regulation, both in theory and on the ground.
Seminar Presenters
Professor Amy Salyzyn, University of Ottawa
Amy Salyzyn is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa. Professor Salyzyn has written extensively in the area of legal ethics, lawyer regulation, technology in legal service delivery and access to justice, having now published over 20 articles in Canadian and international journals on these topics. She is also the co-author of Understanding Lawyers’ Ethics in Canada, 3rd Edition, a leading Canadian legal ethics textbook and a General Editor of Canadian Legal Practice, a key practice resource in the area. Prior to entering academia, Professor Salyzyn received her J.S.D. and LL.M. from Yale Law School and her J.D. from the University of Toronto Law School, where she was awarded the Dean’s Key upon graduation. Before coming to the University of Ottawa, Professor Salyzyn also served as a judicial law clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and practiced at a Toronto litigation boutique. She is currently the Board Chair for the Canadian Association for Legal Ethics.
Professor Bernadette McSherry, University of Melbourne
Dr. Bernadette McSherry is an Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne, Australia and a Commissioner with the Victorian Law Reform Commission. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a solicitor at Coltmans law firm and as an Associate to Justice Gobbo at the Supreme Court of Victoria. From 2001 to 2018, she served as a Legal Member of the Mental Health Tribunal of Victoria, which makes decisions about compulsory mental health treatment. Professor McSherry completed her doctorate at Osgoode Hall Law School and has published widely in the fields of criminal law and mental health law. From March 2019 to February 2021, she served as a Commissioner of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
Trent Skanes, Spellbook
Trent Skanes is a practicing lawyer at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into the legal profession. As Director of Legal at Spellbook, he helps responsibly develop and effectively deploy generative AI to revolutionize legal drafting, review, and transactions in general. Previously, as a Fractional General Counsel at digital tech law boutique Renno & Co and then at Convergence Law (which he founded), Trent specialized in guiding emerging tech companies through their growth journey, from launch to exit.
His extensive experience includes being a partner at McInnes Cooper, a leading Atlantic Canadian law firm, where he specialized in tech and privacy law and resolving large-scale litigation matters. With a JD (Hons) from the University of Ottawa and as the gold medalist in his Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) program from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Trent combines deep legal and strategic expertise with a passion for technological innovation, positioning him as a thought leader in the practical application of tech and AI in law.
Registration Fee
$115.00 ($100.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 2.5 hours

Court of Appeal: Rule Changes, Court Procedures, Technology, and Advocacy
2025-05-23 09:30 - 13:00 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Reception to Follow
Seminar Overview:
The Law Society is pleased to welcome the Court of Appeal for a seminar highlighting upcoming changes to the Court’s Civil and Criminal Rules. In addition to discussing these amendments, the session will cover key procedural topics, including forms, practice notes, requests, status hearings, and registry processes.
The seminar will also feature an update on the Court of Appeal Legal Clinic and offer the Court’s perspective on the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in court proceedings. Finally, there will be a practical overview of best practices in appellate advocacy.
All participants will receive hard copies of the Court of Appeal Civil Rules, 2025 and Court of Appeal Criminal Rules, 2025.
A short reception will follow the seminar and lunch will be provided.
Seminar Presenters:
Chief Justice Deborah E. Fry Justice Lois R. Hoegg
Justice Francis P. O’Brien Justice Frances J. Knickle
Justice Daniel M. Boone Justice Katherine O’Brien
Justice Glen L.C. Noel Justice William H. Goodridge
Kristen O’Keefe, Registrar
To Register, please click here.
Registration Fee: $115.00 ($100.00 + HST)
HST # R108086463
Registration Includes:

Seminar attendance
A copy of the Court of Appeal’s published Criminal Rules, 2025 and Civil Rules, 2025, provided as two separate volumes
Snacks and refreshments
Attendance at reception following seminar (sandwiches and beverages provided)

PLEASE NOTE: In-person attendance is encouraged whenever possible; however, seating is limited. Priority will be given based on the order of registration, so be sure to register early to secure your spot.
CPD Credit: 3.5 hours

Free Upcoming CPD: Autism Acceptance and Understanding: supporting neurodivergent clients, colleagues and loved ones
2025-05-27 09:30 - 12:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview:
The session will provide participants with a deeper understanding of how to support Autistic individuals in meaningful, respectful ways. This session offers up-to-date, evidence-informed information about autism and Autistic culture. Grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming approach and the social model of disability, the training includes:

Insights into Autistic communication, processing, and culture
Practical strategies for creating inclusive, neuro-affirming environments for both clients and professionals
Content developed using Autistic-led resources
Discussion about the duty to accommodate and other human rights considerations

Seminar Presenters/Panelists:
Kristen Winter, Navigator for the Avalon Region Autism Society, Newfoundland & Labrador
Patricia Kirby, Staff Solicitor, Legal Aid NL
Carey Majid KC, Executive Director, NL Human Rights Commission
To register for this seminar, please click the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cyXdAascSEWUDHyuXjAVzQ
CPD Credit: 2.5 hours

Benchers' Meeting
2025-06-06 09:30 - 11:00 | Online
Please note that the next Benchers’ meeting will take place on Friday, 6 June 2025, at 9:30 am. Anyone wishing to attend a Benchers’ meeting:

is required to provide notice of attendance to the Law Society by emailing erowe@lsnl.ca;
will not be permitted to use audio or video recording devices or communication devices during the meeting;
shall not speak, unless invited to do so by the President;
must observe and obey all rulings of the President; and
shall leave if the meeting is declared closed to the public or if asked to do so by the President.

At this time, attendance shall be via Zoom. An invite will be provided upon receipt of an attendance notice. Agendas will be posted on the Law Society website in advance of each meeting and the Minutes for the Public portion of each meeting will also be posted on the website.
Please RSVP by noon, Monday, 2 June 2025, to Erin Rowe at erowe@lsnl.ca if you plan to attend the Benchers’ Meeting.

Law Society Annual General Meeting
2025-06-06 14:00 - 16:00 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
The Annual General Meeting of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador will be held, in person, at 2:00 pm on Friday, 6 June 2025, at the Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s.
Please RSVP by noon, Monday, 2 June 2025, to Erin Rowe at erowe@lsnl.ca if you plan to attend the AGM.
View the Audited Financial Statements, here.
To view the Annual Report, please click here.

Law Society Annual Dinner and Cocktail Reception
2025-06-06 18:30 - 21:00
The Law Society’s Annual Dinner and Cocktail Reception will be held on the evening of Friday, 6 June 2025, at the Emera Innovation Exchange.
Cost: $100.00 per person ($86.95 + $13.05 HST)
Cash Bar: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Dress: Business Suit, Semi-Formal
To RSVP, please complete the registration form and send it to Erin Rowe at erowe@lsnl.ca, no later than 29 May 2025.

Empowering Legal Professionals: Mastering Lexis+ AI for Research Excellence
2025-06-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Note: Webinar (Online Only)
Join us for an insightful webinar on Lexis+ AI, where we will offer a refresher on general legal research skills and explore advanced legal research techniques with the transformative power of AI in the legal field. Discover how Lexis+ AI can enhance your research efficiency and decision-making processes, tailored specifically for legal professionals.
Seminar Presenter: Ronald Jones – Product Adoption Consultant at LexisNexis Canada
Ron Jones is a seasoned legal research expert and esteemed trainer with LexisNexis, where he has been making significant contributions since 2003. Based in Ottawa, Ron is fluent in both English and French, allowing him to effectively communicate and connect with a diverse range of legal professionals across Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. With a deep commitment to enhancing legal research capabilities, Ron is known for his professional and patient approach to training. He has dedicated his career to supporting a wide array of legal professionals, including judges, law students from both civil and common law backgrounds, and practitioners at large national law firms and government departments, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
No Registration Fee
To register for this seminar, please click the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6gwgzwQGTTy-8towHv-dyQ
CPD Credit: 1.5 hours

The Anatomy of a Personal Injury Claim – Best Practices, Caselaw, and Trends
2025-06-11 13:00 - 15:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview:
Join us for an in-depth seminar exploring the key stages of a personal injury claim from both the plaintiff and defence perspectives. This session will cover best practices for claim assessment, pleadings, discovery, expert evidence, and settlement negotiations, while examining recent caselaw and emerging trends in personal injury litigation. Gain insights from experienced practitioners on strategic litigation approaches, risk management, and evolving legal frameworks. A must-attend for those practicing in personal injury law or seeking to refine their litigation skills.
In-person attendance is strongly encouraged where possible. Attendees are invited to stay after the seminar for an informal social reception.
Seminar Presenters:
Blair Pritchett, Intact Insurance
Blair Pritchett is part of the in-house counsel team at Intact Insurance. Blair joined Intact in 2019 to manage the in-house Legal Team in St. John’s. In 2024, Blair transitioned to the role of Legal Consultant, where he now helps to oversee Intact’s national external litigation portfolio. Prior to joining Intact, Blair served 20 years in private practice, most of which time was spent as a partner with McInnes Cooper.
Sophie St. Croix, Roebothan McKay Marshall
Sophie St. Croix was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador bar in 2014. After completing her articles with Valerie Hynes at Roebothan McKay Marshall, she has been practicing with the firm since 2014. Sophie’s areas of practice include personal injury, family law, and real estate.
Registration Fee: $115.00 ($100.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
Registration Includes:

Seminar attendance and materials
Snacks and refreshments

PLEASE NOTE: THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS ONLINE ONLY. TO REGISTER FOR THIS SEMINAR, PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dxeamUe_Tjezwln1hpEvOg
CPD Credit: 2.5 hours

Disciplinary Hearing: Gregory Stack
2025-06-20 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-06-25 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-15 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-18 09:30 - 2025-09-19 11:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Respondent:
Gregory Stack

Date:
June 20, 2025
June 25, 2025
September 15, 2025
September 18, 2025
September 19, 2025

Time:
9:30 a.m.

Place:
Offices of the Law Society 196-198 Water Street

General Nature of the Charges:
In accordance with s. 45(3) of the Law Society Act, 1999, (the “Act”) the Complaints Authorization Committee (the “Committee”) has determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Gregory Stack (the “Respondent”) has engaged in conduct deserving of sanction and, in accordance with s. 45(3)(b) of the Act, the Committee has instructed the Vice-President to file the within Complaint against the Respondent on the basis that the Respondent is guilty of conduct deserving of sanction in that he:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 6.3 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto; and
Section 7.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto.

The factual particulars of the Complaint are as follows:
That the Respondent:
i. Failed to act with integrity; and
ii. Engaged in some form of harassment and/or discrimination of another person.
View a list of disciplinary hearings here.

Call to the Bar
2025-06-26 13:30 - 17:00
This event is limited to those being Called to the Bar and their invited guests.

Effective Strategies in Working with High Conflict Personalities
2025-09-10 13:00 - 15:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview
This engaging and practical seminar explores effective approaches to working with high conflict personalities. Legal professionals frequently encounter clients or opposing parties whose behaviour escalates conflict and complicates legal processes. This training provides insight into the nature of high conflict personalities and equips participants with tools to manage these challenging dynamics more effectively.
This presentation will draw from the following topics:

Recognizing potential indicators and key characteristics of high conflict personalities
Managing professional roles and responsibilities when collaborating with other professionals (e.g., custody assessors, child protection workers, therapists)
Understanding relevant personality disorders (e.g., borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, histrionic)
Implementing hostility reduction strategies and identifying intractable or high-risk situations
Maintaining impartiality, managing personal triggers, and applying self-care strategies
Exploring legal and clinical interventions for navigating complex and high-conflict cases

This seminar is ideal for lawyers, mediators, and professionals working in high-conflict environments who are looking to build confidence, develop specialized skills, and foster more effective outcomes in their practice.
Seminar Presenters
Howard Hurwitz, MSW, RSW, AccFM (Ontario)
Howard is a social worker in private practice, specializing in supporting families navigating separation and divorce. He is also a certified family mediator. With a Master of Social Work and more than 46 years of experience in child protection, children’s mental health, and family counselling, Howard has held senior roles, including 16 years as Director of a child protection agency in Toronto.
Howard founded and chaired the High Conflict Forum, a community-based network bringing together lawyers, judges, mental health professionals, and child protection staff from over 30 agencies to support high-conflict families experiencing separation or divorce. This model has been so successful that it has been adopted in five other Canadian cities.
An experienced trainer, Howard regularly delivers training to professionals in the child protection, children’s mental health, and family law sectors. He has presented at international conferences in the United States and the Netherlands and is recognized by the courts as an expert in working with high-conflict families and cases involving parental alienation. He is frequently consulted by professionals across disciplines on these matters. Howard is also co-author, with Dr. Barbara Fidler and Professor Nicholas Bala, of Emotional Harm and Parent-Child Contact Problems in High Conflict Separations.
Howard is a lead clinician in Families Moving Forward, a treatment program designed for children who have disrupted contact with a parent following parental separation or divorce.
Registration Fee
$115.00 ($100.00 + HST)
HST # R108086463
Register Here
CPD Credit
2.5 hours

Up She Rises! Women and Gender in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Forum by the Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:00
Inspired by the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in NL, Up She Rises! constitutes a public discussion about women and gender in NL history. It involves academics, researchers, activists, writers, and poets who have studied and written about women and gender in NL history. This is a capstone event to the anniversary year of women’s suffrage in this province. We hope it will inspire people to learn more about the historical experiences of women and gender-diverse folks and to continue the work of engaging with our collective history.
Friday, November 7The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue
7:00–8:00 pmOpening RemarksHer Honour, The Honourable Joan Marie Aylward, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
Keynote AddressMargot I. Duley – “Fishing for Answers”: Does the Newfoundland Women’s Suffrage Movement neatly fit into other scholarship on suffrage?
8:00–9:00 pmReception
View the event poster here.

Andrew Martin Disciplinary Hearing
2025-11-20 10:00 - 13:00 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
NOTICE OF A HEARING DATE

Respondent:
Andrew Martin

Date:
November 20, 2025

Time:
10:00 a.m.

Place:
Offices of the Law Society, 196-198 Water Street

General Nature of the Charges:
In accordance with s. 45(3) of the Law Society Act, 1999, (the “Act”) the Complaints Authorization Committee (the “Committee”) has determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Andrew Martin (the “Respondent”) has engaged in conduct deserving of sanction and, in accordance with s. 45(3)(b) of the Act, the Committee has instructed the Vice-President to file the within Complaint against the Respondent on the basis that the Respondent is guilty of conduct deserving of sanction in that he:
2023-027:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.2 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.4 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.1-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct;
Section 7.1-3 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto; and
Section 7.8 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto.

C2023-033:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.2 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.1-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct;
Section 7.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.2-4 of the Code of Professional Conduct; and
Section 7.8 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto.

2023-047:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.2 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.4 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.1-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct;
Section 7.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.2-4 of the Code of Professional Conduct; and
Section 7.8 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto.

C2023-055:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 3.2 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.1-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct;
Section 7.1-3 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto;
Section 7.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto; and
Section 7.8 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto.

2023-065:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

Section 2.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and related commentaries thereto; and
Section 7.1-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct.

Breached the following Law Society Rules:

Rule 9.04; and
Rule 9.07.

For a list of Disciplinary Hearings, please click here.

Deadline for PLC Licence Applications, Amendments, and Cancellations
2025-12-05
Please be advised that all initial applications for, amendments to, or cancellations of Professional Law Corporation (PLC) licences must be submitted by 5 December 2025 to ensure sufficient time for review and processing before the Christmas break. Applications received after this date may not be processed until the New Year.
The necessary forms are available as follows:

Form 11.03A: Submit this form along with the required documentation to apply for a Professional Law Corporation Licence. Please carefully review the ‘Instructions for Completion’ found at the beginning of Form 11.03A.
Form 11.03B: Submit this form, along with the applicable fee and any required supporting documentation, to the Law Society for amendments to your PLC.
Form 11.07: If you wish to cancel your PLC licence, please submit this completed form and the required documentation as outlined in section 2.

Benchers' Meeting
2025-12-08 | Online
Please note that the next Benchers’ meeting will take place on 8 December 2025, at 9:30 am. Anyone wishing to attend a Benchers’ meeting:

is required to provide notice of attendance to the Law Society by emailing erowe@lsnl.ca;
will not be permitted to use audio or video recording devices or communication devices during the meeting;
shall not speak, unless invited to do so by the President;
must observe and obey all rulings of the President; and
shall leave if the meeting is declared closed to the public or if asked to do so by the President.

At this time, attendance shall be via Zoom. An invite will be provided upon receipt of an attendance notice. Agendas will be posted on the Law Society website in advance of each meeting, and the Minutes for the Public portion of each meeting will also be posted on the website.
Please RSVP by noon on 4 December 2025 to Erin Rowe at erowe@lsnl.ca if you plan to attend the Benchers’ Meeting.

Benchers’ Reception
2025-12-10 16:00 - 18:00 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
The President and Benchers of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador request the pleasure of your company at the Benchers’ Reception. Please see the details below:
Where: 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s
When: 10 December 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Please send your RSVP to Erin Rowe at erowe@lsnl.ca by 4 December 2025.

Law Society Closed for the Holidays
2025-12-24 - 2026-01-04
Happy Holidays from the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Benchers and staff of the Law Society would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You can view our Christmas card here.
Please note that we will be closed for the holidays after 23 December 2025 and will reopen for regular business hours starting on 5 January 2026. Staff will not be monitoring email and will respond to inquiries upon return on 5 January 2026.
The Law Library will be accessible to members and approved legal professionals with a valid fob card. Please remember that only circulating items may be borrowed.
Happy holidays!

The Science of Sleep: Implications for Professional Judgment, Performance, and Well-Being
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Webinar Overview:
Sleep is a foundational biological process that directly affects cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and decision-making. In high-responsibility professional settings, chronic sleep deprivation can impair judgment, increase error rates, and reduce the ability to manage stress effectively.
This webinar provides an evidence-based overview of sleep science and its relevance to professional practice. Participants will be introduced to the sleep cycle and the physiological processes that occur during each stage of sleep, followed by an examination of how insufficient or poor-quality sleep affects mood, attention, memory, and overall well-being. The session also considers broader cultural and workplace factors that contribute to chronic sleep deprivation, supported by case studies demonstrating the economic and organizational impacts of sleep loss.
A focused segment examines the relationship between sleep and stress, including how sleep deprivation alters the stress response and degrades cognitive performance under pressure. Key distinctions – such as sleepiness versus fatigue, and sleep quality versus sleep quantity – are clarified. The seminar also addresses common sleep disruptors, including caffeine, alcohol, melatonin, and behavioural patterns such as revenge bedtime procrastination.
The session concludes with practical, evidence-informed strategies to support better sleep, including relaxation techniques, cognitive and behavioural tools, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene practices. A moderated question-and-answer period will follow, with questions addressed live or in post-session materials.
Seminar Presenters:
Marlee Boyle, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT); Certified in Clinical Sleep Health; BSc Biology
Marlee has spent more than 10 years working as a Respiratory Therapist and transitioned to sleep therapy in 2014, becoming one of only nine therapists in Canada certified in clinical sleep health. Her specialties include sleep disordered breathing (obstructive sleep apnea) and treating insomnia though Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Marlee’s goal is to change the culture of sleeplessness in the workforce, to minimize accidents, as well as promote individuals to take control of their health and wellness by making a sleep a priority in their lives.
Leah Corkum, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); Sleep Therapist; BA Psychology
Leah has been working in the healthcare sector for 10 years as an LPN. Leah, being a shift worker herself, has led the development of shift worker education and strategy for Sleep Works with the goal of mitigating the effects of sleep deprivation. Leah is focused on preventative healthcare and education that supports positive sleep behaviour. Her goal is to improve the daily lives and futures of her clients through the benefits of healthy sleep. Leah completed the Family Sleep Institute Child Sleep Consultant Certification program and has been a Certified Child Sleep Consultant since 2019.
Registration Fee: $86.50 ($75.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 1 hour

Mental Health in Sentencing: Beyond Mitigation
2026-03-10 12:00 - 13:30 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview
The law of sentencing in Canada has—without much fanfare and with too-little commentary—undergone a significant conceptual shift in recent years. Most clearly reflected in the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2023 decision in R v Hills, Canadian sentencing law has embraced as its lodestar an approach that is best described as “individualized proportionality.” This approach elevates the individual offender’s experience of punishment as the animating concern in arriving at a fit sentence. And though the acceptance and embrace of this approach is clear in the doctrine, its implications are still to be fully explored. In this talk, Professor Berger will bring together this new paradigm for sentencing with a perennially difficult problem in sentencing courts: how to deal with the mental illness of the offender. His argument will be that, given this new approach, mental health should be relevant to sentencing in ways far more common and fundamental to the determination of just sentences than it has been in the past. It should no longer be approached as a question solely of the responsibility of the offender at the time of the offence; rather, mental health must now be treated as relevant to sentencing “beyond mitigation.” But so doing, he will suggest, has the potential to unsettle the system in interesting and important ways.
Seminar Presenter, Benjamin L. Berger
Benjamin is a Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University. An award-winning teacher and researcher, and a prominent voice in the study of criminal law and sentencing in Canada, he is a Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada and held the York Research Chair in Pluralism and Public Law. He served as law clerk to the Rt. Honourable Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice of Canada, and holds an LLM and JSD from Yale University, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar. Professor Berger has published over 80 academic articles and book chapters on criminal and constitutional law and theory, the law of evidence, the law of sentencing, law and religion, and legal history. He is the author or editor of eight books, and his work on sentencing has been extensively cited and relied upon by Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Registration Fee
$57.50 ($50.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
CPD Credit 1.5 hours
To register for this seminar, please click here.
