Being a Future-Ready Firm: Leading a Firm When Millennials and Gen Z Are Your Leverage
2026-04-15 12:30 - 14:00 (America/St_Johns)
This session is designed to help leaders navigate the realities of a four-generation workforce. It offers practical, data-backed insight on where to focus to sustain leverage, retention, and client delivery as expectations and ways of working continue to shift.
The session will explore:
– The demographic shift reshaping law firms and legal workplaces – and what it means for leadership
– How changing workforce and client expectations are influencing lawyer performance, leverage, and retention
– Leadership approaches that support a four-generation workplace without lowering standards
– Managing the tension between precision, risk mitigation, and the need for adaptability
– Why leadership capability, communication, and learning agility are becoming competitive advantages
– Where leaders should focus first, given real capacity, risk, and change constraints
Event Details
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members | $50 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
Register HERE or email Robyn cba-nl@cba.org

Succession Planning for Cottages & Recreational Properties
2026-04-16 13:30 - 15:00 | Online
Offered By
D.E. Systems
Who Should Attend
All lawyers whose practice includes estate planning and administration will benefit from attending this program.

About the Program
A treasured way to bring loved ones together and forget about everyday hassles, cottages and recreational properties often hold significant sentimental value for families. Proper succession planning for these assets requires knowledge of property, tax and estate law, but also practical client counselling skills. This program, with experienced estates lawyer Peter Lillico, will provide a real-world guide to the challenges and solutions available to successfully keep a cottage or recreational property in the family and prevent unnecessary disputes. The presentation will attempt to answer the question, what does a lawyer need to know about cottage/recreational property succession planning in order to appropriately advise clients and avoid future negligence claims? Topics will include succession planning issues; capital gains tax planning considerations, including maximizing the principal residence exemption; succession timing alternatives; post-succession protections; and, cottage sharing agreements. Along the way, Peter will address the importance of being realistic, the hard questions that needs to be asked about family members’ expectations and finances, and what-if scenarios that, without proper planning, can lead to litigation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn how you can help your clients navigate the cottage succession planning process and create an estate plan that successfully transitions a cherished retreat to the next generation, despite the financial hurdles and inevitable family conflicts.

Meet Your Presenter
Peter Lillico is a partner in Lillico Bazuk Galloway Halka in Peterborough, Ontario. Peter’s practice is concentrated in the areas of Estate Planning, Business and Corporate Law, and Real Estate, with a unique expertise in cottage succession planning. In addition to his practice, Peter teaches law courses at Sir Sandford Fleming College. Peter writes on legal topics for several publications, including a weekly column in Peterborough This Week and as a frequent contributor to Cottage Life Magazine. He has also written articles on estate planning for Good Times Magazine and appeared on Cottage Life Television on estate planning issues for cottage owners. Peter is a frequent presenter for legal and other audiences, including the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association and the Ontario Real Estate Association. Peter is a Past President of the Peterborough Law Association. He is also a founding member of the Peterborough Estate Planning Council.

Schedule (Eastern)

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Welcome and Introduction
Overview of Cottage Succession Planning Issues
Capital Gains Tax Planning Considerations
Succession Timing Alternatives
Post-succession Protections
Cottage Sharing Agreements
Protecting Yourself Professionally
Program Wrap-up and Evaluation

Register

GenAI in Contemporary Legal Research Professional Intensive
2026-04-17 | Online
GenAI in Contemporary Legal Research Professional Intensive is a one-day, online course to help legal professionals avoid common pitfalls in the use of GenAI and make informed, professionally responsible decisions about using GenAI for legal research.
Designed and delivered by Queen’s Law experts with extensive experience in conducting legal research and teaching research skills, this intensive course will help lawyers, paralegals, law clerks, legal researchers, law librarians, knowledge management officers, compliance officers, in-house legal counsel, and legal professionals in other sectors where legal research skills are vital.
For more course details, please visit: https://law.queensu.ca/programs/professional-intensives/genai-in-contemporary-legal-research

(Free Event) LEAF-NL Equality Day Event: Parallel Paths Workshop by the Journey Project
2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00
Location: Foran Greene Room (4th Floor), St. John’s City Hall, 10 New Gower St, St. John’s, NL A1C 5M2
RSVP Link: LEAF-NL Equality Day Event: Workshop with The Journey Project Tickets, Friday, Apr 17 from 10 am to 12 pm | Eventbrite
Details:
Gather together with LEAF-NL and The Journey Project for an informative workshop and community social in celebration of Equality Day.
Ashley MacDonald and Janet Lee with The Journey Project will be presenting their workshop Parallel Paths – Reclaiming Stories, Redefining Justice, a mixed-media presentation exploring how survivor-lead, trauma-informed legal supports and creative expression intersect to help survivors of gender-based violence reclaim their stories and redefine justice. After the workshop Ashley and Janet will be available for a Q&A session.
Following the workshop and Q&A, we invite you to stay and join us in a short social. This event will have light refreshments available, including food, tea, and coffee.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let organizers know.
Thank you to Budden Hiscock Lawyers for their generous support and sponsorship of this event.
This event is organized by the LEAF Newfoundland & Labrador Branch, a volunteer run chapter of the Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund. LEAF is a national charitable organization that works towards ensuring the law guarantees substantive equality for all women, girls, trans, and non-binary people.
If you have any questions about LEAF-NL, or the event, please don’t hesitate to contact us at newfoundland@leaf.ca.
If you require an accessibility accommodation to attend this event, please contact us via email. Please note that one of the elevators at St. John’s City Hall is currently undergoing maintenance — as a result, the route to access the elevator may be different than expected/signs posted. Security at the entrance of the building should be able to direct, however if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to organizers.
If you are outside the Metro St. John’s region and would like to participate, or are otherwise unable to attend in person, please contact us via email to discuss options.
Please RSVP at: LEAF-NL Equality Day Event: Workshop with The Journey Project Tickets, Friday, Apr 17 from 10 am to 12 pm | Eventbrite

FREE Virtual Book Launch: You Can Manage – A Practical Guide to Becoming the Manager Everyone Wants
2026-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Better management doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s built – one conversation, one decision, one practice at a time.
Join us for a FREE virtual book launch on April 20th, Noon-1 PM CT. This is an opportunity to celebrate the release of You Can Manage and hear the authors talk about the core ideas behind the book.

Sign Me Up!

A Practical Guide for Everyday Managers

Most management books miss the mark on what managers actually need to do to be effective.
This book was written for leaders navigating real people, real pressures, and real workplaces. It brings together ACHIEVE’s extensive experience supporting organizations and translates it into clear, practical guidance you can actually use – not theory for theory’s sake.
In this free virtual book launch, you’ll get an inside look at the core ideas behind the book and how they apply to everyday management challenges, from performance conversations and accountability to trust, clarity, and workplace culture.

Who this event is for:

Managers and supervisors at any level
HR professionals and organizational leaders
Team leads stepping into management for the first time
Anyone who wants to lead with clarity, confidence, and care

Those who attend will also automatically be entered to win one of five free, signed copies of the book!

Learn more here.

Consideration of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia
2026-04-20 13:30 - 15:00 | Online
This Brown Bag will provide insights and analysis in terms of what the SCC decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia means for family violence cases in Canada. The presentation will include a discussion on whether tort law or remedies in this area have changed, and if so, how tort law and remedies for family violence cases can be shaped or changed in the future.
Speakers:
Geoff Carpenter, Carpenter Family Law (Oakville, ON)
Julie Hannaford, J K Hannaford Barristers (Toronto, ON)
Anna Matas, Matas Legal (Toronto, ON)
Rollie Thompson K.C., Professor Emeritus, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS); Counsel with Epstein Cole LLP (Toronto, ON)
Moderator:
Katherine Shadbolt, Katherine L. Shadbolt LLB (Ottawa, ON)
Event Details
📅 Date/Time: Monday April 20, 2026, 1:30pm-3:00pm
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members
Register Here

Stress Management: Practical Skills for Workplace Wellness
2026-04-22 | Online
In many organizations it is common to find employees suffering from the adverse effects of stress. Left unmanaged, stress can lead to unproductive patterns and result in loss of focus, motivation, and productivity. This workshop will help participants identify personal stress factors and introduce them to practical methods for successfully managing stress. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a personalized plan that enables them to function at their best in the work environment.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Analyze and identify the various components of stress
Become aware of your own stress levels
Develop skills and an action plan to manage stress

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, experiential practice, personal reflection, delivered electronically.

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

Phases of Stress
Stressors in the Workplace
Unhealthy Reactions to Stress
Stress Test – Assessing Your Experience
Red Flags – Your Cues to Pause
Improving Positive Thinking
Healthy Coping Strategies
Organizational Strategies to Support Stress Management

Target Audience
This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Kristen Klassen
Kristen is an accomplished professional with a diverse skill set that blends extensive academic credentials and practical experience in training and consulting. Holding Masters degrees in both Counselling Psychology and Disability Studies, along with a Doctorate in Applied Health Sciences, Kristen is well-versed in the intersections of mental health, wellness, and human development. Her work history spans small start-ups to large institutions and corporations. Kristen is passionate about helping people and businesses unlock their full potential through active engagement, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to ongoing development. She believes in the transformative power of play to maximize potential, foster creativity, and empower people and organizations to be their best.

An Urgent Need to Address Family Violence: Professional Competence and Safety Considerations
2026-04-23 13:30 - 15:30 | Online
Canada is experiencing an epidemic of family violence. Approximately half of couples who separate report that there has been physical violence at least once during their relationship, and 75% report emotional abuse. It is estimated that the cost of family violence is 7.4 billion dollars annually and that up to 9 in 10 women who experience physical intimate partner violence will suffer a brain injury from the abuse. Despite the seriousness and prevalence of family violence, numerous reports have called out the justice system, and family law lawyers in particular, for failing to promote the safety of survivors and indeed, putting them at further risk. Lawyers must promote the safety and well-being of victims of family violence as a matter of professional competence and to help prevent homicide, suicide, and adverse health outcomes.
Speakers:

Shelley Hounsell, Presse Mason (Bedford, NS)
Hilary Linton, Riverdale Mediation (Toronto, ON)
Dr. Katreena Scott, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (London, ON)
Zara Suleman, Suleman Family Law (North Vancouver, BC)

Moderator:

Joanna Radbord, McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP (Toronto, ON)

Event Details
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members
Register Here

Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund Online Information Session
2026-04-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
On April 27th, join ISANS for a one-hour webinar at 6:00 p.m. ADT to learn about the Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund (AICLF). This ISANS-led initiative can help immigrants with permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship obtain training and certification in their chosen fields or related fields in their new home provinces.
During this event, you will learn:

Who is eligible for the AICLF
What costs the AICLF can cover
The kinds of programs the AICLF can help pay for
How the AICLF is funded and how it is administered across Atlantic Canada
Why the AICLF is a better choice for immigrants in Atlantic Canada than funding through a private institution on their own

During and after the presentation, you can also ask any questions you might have about AICLF.
Registration and attendance details:

Register for the event by clicking on this link and filling in the form.
The registration deadline is 5 pm ADT April 24th.
You will receive a link to the meeting before the event.

For more information, please contact kpartridge@isans.ca.
Monday, April 27
6:00 – 7:00 pm ADT

Coaching Strategies for Leaders: Conflict, Performance, Change
2026-04-28 | Online
Effective leaders know that coaching is key to growth, change, and strong relationships. This workshop gives you practical skills to coach others in ways that drive both individual development and organizational success.
You’ll learn how to guide employees to uncover their own solutions and take ownership of what they need to move forward. Through hands-on practice, you’ll learn a five-step coaching model that will help you support behaviour change and build your team’s skills with confidence.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Increase your self-awareness so you can coach your team more effectively
Explain how people change and why personal ownership in the change process matters
Apply a simple coaching framework in leadership and change situations
Demonstrate how to use a coach approach to influence change
Practice and fine-tune coaching techniques with your team

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, experiential practice, personal reflection, delivered electronically.

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

Coaching in the Context of Leadership
Essential Coaching Mindset and Beliefs
Coaching for Behaviour Change
Coaching for Skill Development
Coaching for Conflict Resolution
Navigating Conflict Triangles

Target Audience
This is an intermediate level workshop for people who provide leadership formally or informally in workplace settings.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Ken Harkness
Ken is a Certified Executive Coach, consultant, and senior leader with over 20 years of experience helping leaders and teams achieve meaningful change. He has a strong background in leadership development, organizational change management, and process improvement. As a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, Ken has supported leaders at all levels to improve performance and alignment across teams, helping them figure out where they need to go and move past what is getting in the way. As a trainer and coach, Ken enjoys connecting with people who have a passion for learning and a willingness to take on challenges that create personal growth.

Polarizing Conversations: How to Talk About Triggering Topics
2026-04-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Do you want to learn how to maintain relationships when discussing potentially triggering issues? Many people find themselves ill-prepared for these conversations and, as a result, avoid them or feel overwhelmed when they’re happening. This workshop equips you with skills for managing your own emotions and understanding the various dynamics of having polarizing discussions so you can confidently ensure they are productive and respectful. This is helpful for talking about things such as gender and equity, race relations, environmentalism, the pandemic, and remote work. No matter where you might have to discuss a polarizing issue, this workshop teaches you to do so in a way that will leave everyone feeling heard and respected.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Explain polarizing conversations and their many layers
Identify our natural emotional responses to challenging interactions
Utilize listening and validation to reduce tension
Demonstrate how to set up conversations for success and make people feel safe
Practice skills to engage in conversations about polarizing topics

Method of Delivery
Presentation, case study exercises, experiential practice, and personal reflection, delivered electronically.

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

Understanding the Dynamics of Polarizing Topics
Our Natural Responses to Challenging Interactions
Preparing for the Polarized Conversation
Depersonalizing the Conversation
Finding Common Ground
Utilizing Empathy and Validation
How to Help People Feel Safe
Engaging in a Respectful Conversation

Target Audience
This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop applicable to both employees and managers.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Andrew Wychnenka
Andrew is a conflict management professional with over a decade of experience in delivering conflict management services such as mediation, coaching, and training in a variety of sectors. He is passionate about helping people understand conflict and find solutions to problems that seem insurmountable on their own. He has a bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution Studies and Psychology and holds a Chartered Mediator designation through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada. He has conducted over 100 mediation processes in court, family, workplace, and community settings, and has over 18 years of service as a leader in the Canadian military, which includes a deployment to Afghanistan. He also spent five years as a conflict management expert for a government department where he offered internal mediation services, training, and group processes. Andrew believes that a having a mindset that focuses on seeking understanding is the key to resolving conflict. As a facilitator, he is passionate about making the content of a workshop relatable through practical examples and dialogue among participants.

Disciplinary Hearing: Susan LeDrew, KC
2026-04-30 - 2026-05-01 | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
NOTICE OF A HEARING

Respondent:
Susan LeDrew, KC

Date:
April 30, 2026
May 1, 2026
June 15, 2026
June 16, 2026

Time:
9:30 a.m.

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

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 Susan LeDrew, KC (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 she:
2023-024:
Breached the following sections of the Code of Professional Conduct:

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

Breached the following Law Society Rules:

Rule 5.03;
Rule 5.04;
Rule 5.05;
Rule 5.10; and
Rule 5.15.

The factual particulars of the Complaint are as follows:
That the Respondent:
i. Failed to comply with the Law Society Rules respecting deposits and withdrawals from the trust account, in that money deposited into and withdrawn from her trust account was not directly related to legal services that she was providing;
ii. Failed to address the issue of inactive client trust ledgers arising from her audit, in a timely manner;
iii. Misled the Law Society with respect to the status of inactive client trust ledgers;
iv. Failed to promptly meet financial obligations in relation to her practice;
v. Failed to produce information that was requested as part of the ongoing trust audit; and
vi. Failed to respond promptly and completely to communications from the Law Society.
2024-021
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.

The factual particulars of the Complaint are as follows:
That the Respondent:
i. Failed to respond to inquires of the Complaints Authorization Committee by the date set.

Dealing with Conflict in Legal Practice: A Communications Framework for Challenging Interactions
2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:15 | Online
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

Accounting For Non-Accountants: Debit, Credits And Financial Statements
2026-05-01 10:00 - 23:30 | Online
Fear of accounting often stems from not understanding the basics.
Without knowing the difference between a debit and a credit-or how they flow into the income statement and balance sheet-you might miss opportunities to ask smart questions, flag errors, or explain financial issues to stakeholders. Worse, you might make decisions that unintentionally hurt your budget or your department’s performance.
This training session is designed to eliminate that uncertainty. We’ll start at square one, explaining accounting concepts in plain English. You’ll learn how to record basic transactions, how the “double-entry” system works, and how financial statements are built. With hands-on examples and relatable scenarios, we’ll make accounting feel accessible and even a little fun.
Don’t let lack of accounting knowledge limit your potential. Join this session and gain the confidence to work with financial information, participate in budget conversations, and ask the right questions when it matters most.
Why you should Attend:
Do you find yourself confused by financial reports, unsure about terms like “debit” and “credit,” or hesitant to engage in budget discussions because accounting feels intimidating? You’re not alone. Many professionals-even those in management-avoid the topic of accounting out of fear they’ll sound uninformed or make costly mistakes.
But here’s the truth: accounting is not just for CPAs. Every team-whether in operations, HR, marketing, or customer service-impacts the numbers, and understanding those numbers is essential. If you’ve ever looked at a financial statement and wondered how it all fits together, this session is for you.
Areas Covered in the Session:

What accounting is and why it matters to non-financial professionals
The basic accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity
Introduction to debits and credits: What they really mean
The double-entry system explained in plain English
How to record basic transactions (journal entries)
Understanding general ledger accounts and trial balances
Overview of the three core financial statements

Who Will Benefit:

Anyone that works in a Financial Institution

Speaker Profile

Justin Muscolino brings over 20 years of wide-ranging experience in compliance, training and regulations. He has previously worked in the Head of Compliance Training function for Macquarie Group, UBS, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of China, and GRC Solutions. Justin also runs his own Compliance Training company focusing on US & International regulations.
Justin also worked for FINRA, a US regulator, where he created Examiner University to train examiners on how to perform their function. He also serves as an advisor for the Global Compliance Institute (GCI) and instructs at the Barret School of Business and various compliance training providers.

Women’s Health, Hormones, and Burnout: A Two-Part Lunch-and-Learn Series
2026-05-01 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Join the Atlantic CBA Branches for a practical, evidence-informed wellness series with Dr. Ashley Margeson, ND, exploring how hormonal transitions, chronic stress, and burnout intersect with realistic strategies to support capacity in demanding roles.
Event Details
📅 Date/Time: Friday May 1, 2026, & Thursday June 11, 2026 12:30pm-1:30pm
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members | $20 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
Register HERE or email Robyn cba-nl@cba.org

Breaking Stigmas: Understanding and Supporting Mental Health
2026-05-05 | Online
Mental health affects everyone. One in five people will experience a mental health challenge, and chances are you know someone who’s struggling. That’s why it’s so important to know how to help. When you can spot the signs early and offer support, you can make a real difference in someone’s well-being.
In this workshop, you’ll learn what impacts mental health, get a simple overview of common mental health conditions in adults, and discover practical ways you can support others. You’ll also explore strategies to create more inclusive spaces and help break down the stigma around mental health.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Explain the difference between mental illness and mental health
List common mental illnesses
Describe symptoms of common mental illnesses
Apply practical strategies to support individuals experiencing mental illness

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, personal reflection, delivered electronically

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

What Contributes to Poor Mental Health
Stigma and Myths About Mental Illness
Illness as Influence, Not Identity
A Review of Mental Illnesses
Mental Health Concerns and Addictions
Mental Health Concerns and Suicide
Signs That Someone May Be Struggling
Creating a Supportive Environment
Finding a Qualified Counsellor
Tips for Supporting Those That May Be Struggling

Target Audience
This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop applicable to anyone wanting to learn more about mental health, including employees and managers.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Jocelyne Lalonde
Jocelyne specializes in mental health, wellness, and resilience, and brings 18 years of experience in both public and private spheres to these topics. Jocelyne is dedicated to helping individuals and teams navigate challenges related to mental health such as stress, burnout, and stigma. Jocelyne believes in the power of human connection as a foundational element for improving well-being in the workplace, leading to healthier and more productive organizational cultures. As a facilitator, Jocelyne’s approach emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive, communicative, and supportive environments where employees can thrive mentally and emotionally. She integrates strengths-based strategies that empower individuals and teams to enhance their mental health and create lasting, positive change. Jocelyne is passionate about making workplaces healthier and more compassionate, helping people build a better work-life balance and, ultimately, a better world.

CBA-NL Lunch and Learn - Sustaining Performance Under Pressure: Practical Tools for Legal Professionals
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:30
Join the Canadian Bar Association-NL 7 May during Mental Health Week for a 90 minute session by Kevin Farrell, Mental Health Master Trainer and Owner of Mental Bullpen. Kevin has decades of train the trainer experience, most recently at HMP.
Legal professionals operate in high-pressure environments where performance, decision-making, and leadership are constantly tested. This session focuses on understanding how stress impacts the brain and body, and how it directly affects clarity, judgment, and consistency.
Participants will learn how to recognize early signs of overload, apply in-the-moment strategies to stabilize performance, and most importantly – how to recover between demands so stress isn’t carried forward into the next task.
This is a practical, skills-based session designed to help legal professionals maintain performance, improve decision-making, and reduce the risk of burnout in high-demand environments.
Event Details
📍 Location: 6th Floor Conference Room, Atlantic Place or Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members | $50 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
🥗 Lunch provide for in person attendees
Register HERE or email Robyn cba-nl@cba.org.

Contested Accountings in Trusts & Estates
2026-05-07 13:30 - 15:00 | Online
Learning Options:
Live webinar with chat
includes 60 day replay*
9:00 am – 10:30 am (Pacific)
10:00 am – 11:30 am (Mountain)
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Central)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (Eastern)
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Atlantic)
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (Newfoundland)
*This program features real-time video of the presenter with synchronized presentation slides, and a chat feature that allows for live Q & A. SK attendees please verify whether you align with Central (MB) or Mountain (AB) time based on season and location.

Technical Information:
Live webinars allow you to view faculty, see their presentation slides, and ask questions by chat. You will need a current web browser (Chrome (Chrome works best), Safari, Firefox), a wired (better than wireless) connection to the Internet of at least 2 Mbps. You can test your internet speed/bandwidth here. If you miss the live program, you can access the archive, at your convenience, for 60 days.

Who Should Attend
This program will be useful to estate planners and litigators alike.

About the Program
Contested accountings are one of the most powerful and dangerous tools in trust and estate litigation. Whether acting for fiduciaries or beneficiaries, counsel must understand how courts scrutinize trustee and executor conduct, allocate the burden of proof, and impose remedies when accounts are challenged. This program with experienced estates litigator Kaan D. Alkin examines contested trust and estate accountings from a national, principles-based perspective. You will learn when accountings are required, how objections are framed, and how courts assess compensation claims, fiduciary conduct, record-keeping, delay, and more. The session also explores evidentiary challenges, available remedies, and the cost consequences that often drive settlement. Designed for trust and estate litigators across Canada, this program focuses on practical litigation strategy rather than provincial procedure. Topics include:

Tactical considerations for counsel
Evidentiary pitfalls
Interaction with related estate litigation

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enhance your understanding of strategy, risk, and remedies in this important area.

Meet Your Presenter
Kaan D. Alkin practices with Boughton Law in Vancouver, BC. An estate litigation lawyer focused on complex disputes involving estates and trusts, he is committed to helping clients navigate estate and elder law disputes with clarity and confidence. With a background in science, Kaan brings a disciplined and analytical approach to litigation. Kaan has experience litigating a broad range of estate and trust disputes, including wills variation claims, contested spousal status, undue influence and incapacity claims, unjust enrichment, breach of trust, abuse of power of attorney, contested gifts and inter vivos transfers, will interpretation applications, contested committeeships, executor and trustee accountings, compensation disputes, and applications for the removal of executors or trustees. An active member of the legal community, Kaan currently serves on the Executive of the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia, Vancouver Wills and Trusts Subsection.

Schedule (Eastern)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Legal Framework for Estate & Trust Accountings
Initiating and Contesting a Passing of Accounts
Grounds of Contest

Executor/trustee compensation
Breach of fiduciary duty
Record-keeping failures
Delay in administration
Investment management issues

Burden of Proof and Evidentiary Issues
Remedies
Costs Consequences
Program Wrap-up and Evaluation

Reading Financial Records and Understanding Them
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:30
Join in for a one-hour CBA-NL Business Law Lunch and Learn on Reading Financial Records and Understanding Them. This session will be presented by Stuart Wallace of Stewart McKelvey and is designed to help lawyers feel more confident reviewing and understanding financial documents in a business context.
Whether you are dealing with corporate transactions, due diligence, shareholder issues, or general business matters, financial records often tell an important part of the story. This session will walk through common financial statements, what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to spot potential issues or areas that require further investigation.
This is a practical session aimed at business lawyers who want to strengthen their financial literacy and feel more comfortable navigating financial information in their day-to-day practice.
Event Details:
Date/Time: Tuesday May 12th, 2026, 12:00pm-1:30pm
Location: 6th Floor Conference Room, Atlantic Place or Virtual
Fee: Free for members | $50 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
Lunch provided for in person attendees.
Register HERE or email Robyn at cba-nl@cba.org

Communication: The Crucial Skills
2026-05-13 | Online
In order to survive and thrive in the 21st century workplace, we all need to master the fundamentals of communication. Our ability to communicate effectively is directly linked to our success in meeting the needs of employers, colleagues, customers, and clients. This workshop focuses on the core skills for communicating with clarity in the workplace. Participants will hone their verbal communication strategies including speaking and listening skills. They will also learn approaches for utilizing communication technologies such as phone, email, and video conferencing more effectively. This training will give participants tools and strategies to communicate with clarity and purpose while choosing the best medium for the message.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Identify steps to improve skills to listen, speak, persuade, email, and text
Describe positive communication with coworkers
List steps for effective communication
Identify a plan of meaningful communication in one’s own work environment

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, demonstration of skills, experiential practice, personal reflection, delivered electronically.

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

The Complexity of Communication
Communication Styles
The Importance and Role of Body Language
Skills for Connecting with Others
Strategies for Speaking Effectively
Tools for Persuading Others
Phone Etiquette
Making Email Work for You and Your Recipients
Technology and Communication

Target Audience
This is an introductory level workshop.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Tim Plett
Tim has provided leadership in the non-profit, higher-education, adventure sports, and arts sectors for over 30 years, with a focus on collaborative leadership and communications. His educational background includes studies centered on the interdisciplinary realms of leadership, philosophy, and counselling. Tim has additional training in coaching, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and emergency medical intervention. He believes that we do our best work together, which is why his approach to training emphasizes the themes of collaboration, interdependence, and development. Tim is a thoughtful presenter with a subtle sense of humour and a passionate heart, who facilitates learning experiences that are engaging, educational, and memorable.

Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association in partnership with the African Law Students’ Association Virtual Conference 2026
2026-05-13 - 2026-05-14 | Online
Join the upcoming YCLA Virtual Conference, in Partnership with the African Law Students’ Association, taking place on 13th and 14th May 2026.
The event is free to all irrespective of CLA Membership.
📢 The Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association (YCLA) is proud to present its 3rd Virtual Conference, hosted in partnership with the African Law Students’ Association surrounding the theme: “Comparative Legal Traditions and Modern Legal Practice”.
📆 Join engaging discussions, diverse viewpoints, with each interactive session designed to encourage participation, collaboration, and the strengthening of the Commonwealth’s enduring bond of legal fraternity.
✨ Whether you’re looking to expand your legal horizons, share your voice, or build international connections, this conference is your opportunity to be part of a dynamic global legal community.
View the event page here.
View the poster here.
Register here.

Trauma-Informed Leadership
2026-05-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
A compassionate and trauma-informed approach to leadership is essential for creating healthy workplace cultures. Trauma is prevalent in our world and has an impact on many of the people we interact with, including staff and colleagues. Based on our book, A Little Book About Trauma-Informed Workplaces, this workshop explores how to lead with a trauma-informed approach and provides five key principles that trauma-informed workplaces embody. By embracing these principles, organizations can contribute to the positive transformation of individuals and relationships affected by trauma, while at the same time creating the conditions that lead to high levels of employee engagement and organizational success. Every organization, from any sector, can benefit from becoming trauma-informed.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Discuss the prevalence and impact of trauma on individuals and organizations
List five key trauma-informed principles
Describe practical strategies for implementing each of the five trauma-informed principles
Assess their own organization for areas of trauma-informed strengths and weakness

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, personal reflection, and small group discussions, delivered electronically.

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.
Note: An e-manual for this workshop is included in purchase.

Some of the Topics Included

Trauma’s Ripple Effect
The Impact of Trauma in the Workplace
Characteristics of a Trauma-Informed Leader
5 Principles of Trauma-Informed Workplaces – Promote Awareness, Shift Attitudes, Provide Choice, Foster Safety, Highlight Strengths
Steps for Implementing Principles

Target Audience
This is an intermediate-advanced level workshop for leaders, managers, supervisors, and anyone providing leadership within an organization.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Trainer: Janelle Jackiw
Janelle has Master’s degrees in both Criminology and Educational Psychology. Her broad range of experience includes working in front line and leadership roles in both government and social service organizations. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she provides counselling in private practice, works for the Ministry of Justice, and is a sessional lecturer at the University of Regina. Janelle values workplaces and organizations that respect the importance of partnerships and innovation. She believes people’s passion for the work they do is developed by encouraging leadership at all levels. Janelle is an energetic presenter who enjoys delivering training workshops that are relevant and practical to individuals’ work and personal lives. Read blogs written by Janelle here.

Access & Privacy Law: Trusted Innovation in the Age of Information
2026-05-13 13:30 - 14:30 | Online
In this session, Michael Harvey, Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia and former Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador will elaborate on how the pace of changing technology touches every part of his office’s mandate. He will share his view that the online world is today integrated into every aspect of our lives and ask the question, “How can new technologies work for us, rather than us working for them?” Commissioner Harvey will also provide his perspective on trends he is seeing as a regulator and share some of his office’s recent work.
We will also be joined by current Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador, Kerry Hatfield, who will provide a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective, with a focus on access to information, transparency, and the practical realities of administering access and privacy legislation. Together, this session will offer a well-rounded discussion on the current and future state of information governance in an increasingly digital world.
This session will be of interest to anyone working in privacy, administrative law, public sector practice, or those navigating access to information and data management in their day-to-day work.
Event Details
📅 Date/Time: Wednesday May 13, 2026, 1:30pm-2:30pm
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members | $50 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
Register here or email Robyn at cba-nl@cba.org

From Law School Debt to Financial Confidence
2026-05-13 15:30 - 17:00 | Online
Many lawyers begin their careers carrying significant student debt and, as their income grows, find themselves uncertain about how to manage, protect, and plan with that money—often while navigating very different employment and practice structures. This financial wellness session is designed to support lawyers at any stage of their career who want greater clarity and confidence in their financial decisions, regardless of how their work is structured. This practical session will explore common financial pressures in the profession, including debt repayment, lifestyle inflation, competing priorities, and long-term planning, while acknowledging that financial realities can look different for employed lawyers, those in private practice, partnerships, or incorporated arrangements. Rather than focusing on individualized financial advice, the session takes a high-level, reflective approach to financial decision-making. Participant questions submitted in advance will help shape the content, allowing the session to address shared themes and real concerns in a large-group virtual setting. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to approach financial decisions with intention, align money choices with personal values and goals, and reduce financial stress—so finances become a source of stability rather than added pressure, both personally and professionally.

Register here.

Panel Discussion on Restorative Justice
2026-05-13 19:00 - 21:00
RFNL has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on restorative justice organized by MHA Sheilagh O’Leary and the NDP Caucus. The event will take place on May 13 from 7:00–9:00 pm at The Hub, 21 Merrymeeting Road, St. John’s.
Restorative justice offers a different path forward, one rooted in accountability, healing, relationship, and community. This panel will explore how restorative justice can strengthen communities, support those most impacted by harm, and help build more just and equitable systems.
The conversation will bring together people with lived experience, frontline advocates, and community organizations who are advancing restorative justice in practical and meaningful ways. Panelists will share insights, challenges, and opportunities for change, with time for open discussion, questions, and shared dialogue at the end.
Panelists include:

Jessica Webb, Community and Justice Coordinator, Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador
Dan McGettigan, Turnings
First Light
Melissa Noseworthy, John Howard Society

Moderated by: Mike Murray
For more information, please visit the event page or reach out directly to ndpinfo@gov.nl.ca.
All are welcome to attend.

Drafting Wills to Avoid Claims and Litigation - with Jenny Bogod
2026-05-14 13:30 - 15:00 | Online
Live webinar with chat
includes 60 day replay
9:00 am – 10:30 am (Pacific)
10:00 am – 11:30 am (Mountain)
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Central)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (Eastern)
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Atlantic)
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (Newfoundland)
*This program features real-time video of the presenter with synchronized presentation slides, and a chat feature that allows for live Q & A. SK attendees please verify whether you align with Central (MB) or Mountain (AB) time based on season and location.

ON: This program contains 1.5 Professionalism hours.
BC: This program has been approved for 1.5 CPD hours of professional responsibility and ethics, client care and relations, and/or practice management.
SK: This program qualifies for 1.5 CPD hours (1.5 of which qualify as ethics hours) under the Law Society of SK CPD Policy.
Lawyers in other mandatory CPD jurisdictions may count their attendance towards their CPD requirement/plan.
Seminar Partners is an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario and a pre-approved CPD Provider of the Law Society of British Columbia.
*The circumstances under which CPD credit will be recognized for watching archive programs vary by province. If you are viewing the recording of the live webinar, please verify with your law society the circumstances under which they will recognize CPD hours for the recording.

Technical Information:
Live webinars allow you to view faculty, see their presentation slides, and ask questions by chat. You will need a current web browser (Chrome (Chrome works best), Safari, Firefox), a wired (better than wireless) connection to the Internet of at least 2 Mbps. You can test your internet speed/bandwidth here. If you miss the live program, you can access the archive, at your convenience, for 60 days.

Satisfaction Guarantee:
At Seminar Partners, we’re proud of the quality of our programs and presenters. If, after attending a program in its entirety, you are not satisfied that the program has enhanced your understanding of the subject, and you notify us in writing the same day, we will give you a credit toward another program of comparable price.

Who Should Attend
This program will benefit lawyers of all experience levels whose practice includes estate planning or estate litigation.

About the Program
Every will is both a blueprint — and a potential liability exposure. While no will can eliminate all risk, many disputes arise from recurring and preventable drafting and process errors. In this 90-minute practical webinar, estates litigation lawyer and preferred counsel for LAWPRO, Jenny Bogod, examines common categories of will-drafting mistakes that lead to litigation and professional negligence claims. Drawing on leading jurisprudence and real-world experience, the session highlights where drafting lawyers most often get into trouble and, more importantly, how to avoid those problems at the drafting stage. By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

Better understand the scope of the drafting lawyer’s duties and risk exposure
Identify recurring drafting errors that generate litigation
Recognize clause-level vulnerabilities before they become disputes
Implement protective drafting techniques and file practices that reduce claims and challenges

This program focuses on concrete drafting and process improvements, not abstract doctrine. The goal is to help you draft wills that are less likely to be litigated and more defensible if they are. Before you finalize your next will, ask yourself: If this clause were litigated tomorrow, would I be comfortable defending it? If the answer is anything short of “absolutely”, join us to sharpen your drafting and pressure-test your precedents against current litigation trends!

Meet Your Presenter
Jenny Bogod is a passionate litigator whose litigation practice at Rosen Sack LLP focuses on estate, trusts and capacity litigation as well as professional negligence. Jenny represents dependants, estates, beneficiaries and persons whose capacity is being questioned by others in connection with Will challenges, Will interpretation applications, power of attorney disputes, dependant support claims and guardianship applications. Jenny is also designated as Preferred Counsel by the Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company, the professional liability insurer for lawyers in Ontario. She acts as defence and repair counsel in connection with solicitor negligence matters related to estates and trusts, family law, civil litigation and real estate. Jenny regularly speaks and writes about estates related topics, including for the Law Society of Ontario, the OBA, Advocate Daily, CanLII Connects, and OBA Section Insider: Elder Law.

Schedule (Eastern)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Welcome and Introduction Remarks
Absence of Proper Gift-over Clauses
Disinheriting or Excluding Beneficiaries
Failure to Provide for Ultimate Residue Distribution
Life Interest Clauses Lacking Sufficient Particulars
Trust Drafting Failures
Managing Capacity and Undue Influence Risks
Program Wrap-up and Evaluation

Trauma-Informed Lawyering - Free Session
2026-05-15 09:00 - 12:30 | Online
The Journey Project Legal Support Service (JPLSS) is a collaboration between the Journey Project team and trained lawyers who are interested in supporting survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The JPLSS offers survivors at least 4 hours of free-to-them legal advice from trained, private practice lawyers. Lawyers are compensated for their time spent directly consulting with clients referred by Journey’s Legal Support Navigators.
Lawyers who wish to participate in this program must participate in a free half-day training session on supporting survivors through a trauma-informed lens. A virtual training is being offered on Friday, May 15 from 9:00am – 12:30pm. This training offers a unique opportunity to build the skills and knowledge of legal professionals and make practicing lawyers eligible to join the Journey Project Legal Support Service.
Training will cover:
– identifying and understanding trauma and its impacts
– the neurobiology of trauma
– rationale and principles of trauma-informed lawyering
– trauma-informed responses to disclosures
– burnout, empathic strain, and vicarious trauma
This seminar is free and, *subject to the provisions of the Law Society’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Requirements, may constitute 3.5 hours of eligible CLE activities.
To register visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/May2026TIL
For more information contact Janet Lee, Provincial Director, at 709-986-2801 or janet@journeyprojectnl.com

Respectful Workplaces: Strategies for a Healthy Environment
2026-05-20 | Online
A respectful workplace is a prerequisite for building a healthy and successful organization. Respectful workplaces not only foster productivity, they also contribute to employee well-being. This workshop explores the components of respect and addresses individual responsibilities within the work environment. Participants will learn how to voice their expectations as well as initiate and respond to difficult conversations about disrespectful behaviour. This training will help provide the attitudes and skills necessary to contribute to creating and sustaining a respectful work environment.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Define respect and explain how it is experienced in the workplace
List behaviours that are associated with discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and gender harassment
Describe their role in creating a respectful workplace

Method of Delivery
Presentation, video, case study review, personal reflection, delivered electronically

*Please allow only the registered individual(s) to view the materials.

Some of the Topics Included

The Cost of Disrespect – Human and Financial
The Legal Framework for Respect
Grey Areas in Respect
Identifying Unhealthy Environments
Assessing Your Workplace
Markers of Healthy Environments
Assessing for Disrespect
Steps to Deal with Disrespect
Your Part in Maintaining Respect
Employee and Employer Responsibilities
Strategies for Change
Respectful Workplace Policies

Target Audience
This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop applicable to both leaders and employees.

Terms & Conditions
View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.
The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.
This is a live virtual event, please check your system requirements prior to registering.
Participants will receive the Zoom meeting login details and information about viewing the live virtual workshop by email 3-4 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
Please note, payment is required in order to receive the login details.

Facilitator: Laura Matlashewski
Laura is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) with a passion for creating engaging, collaborative, and rewarding workplaces. With 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors, Laura knows an organization’s culture, leadership, and team environment are key elements to drive success within teams and across functions. Additionally, she knows that business owners and leaders have the ability to create an environment to accomplish that success while driving high performance and results. Laura uses a genuine and transparent approach to ensure stakeholders buy-in and understand the intricacies and application of changes and how they impact a workforce.

Free Webinar - Rules, Standards, and Strategy: Using AI to Map the Evolution of Judicial Reasoning, with Professor Norman Siebrasse
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:15 | Online
Seminar Overview:
Professor Norman Siebrasse – a name certainly familiar to any UNB Law graduate – will lead this seminar examining the judicial reasoning style of the Supreme Court of Canada. He led one of the first large-scale, AI-assisted empirical studies of Supreme Court jurisprudence in Canada, systematically mapping how the Court’s reasoning style has shifted over time, with particular focus on the distinction between rules and standards – and why that distinction matters for practising lawyers.
The session will explore how judicial reasoning style affects predictability, litigation risk, evidentiary burdens, and appellate strategy. Using a structured and validated rubric, Professor Siebrasse and his team analyzed decades of Supreme Court decisions across subject areas, identifying measurable trends in doctrinal reasoning over time.
Participants will gain insight into the project’s methodology, including how AI can be deployed to analyze qualitative legal concepts and the strengths and limitations of that approach. The seminar will also consider how similar structured methodologies may be adapted by practitioners, academics, and regulators in their own contexts.
Looking forward, the session will address the future of empirical legal analysis in Canada and the responsible integration of AI into professional legal work.
Professor Siebrasse will also provide an overview of a separate AI drafting and editing tool he is developing – designed to assist lawyers in refining written work while preserving their individual voice.
Seminar Presenter:
Professor Norman Siebrasse, University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Law
Professor Siebrasse joined UNB Law in 1993, after receiving an LLM from the University of Chicago and clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Honourable Madam Justice McLachlin during the 1991-1992 term. His research and writing focuses on patent law, particularly pharmaceutical patent law, patent remedies and the intersection of intellectual property law and commercial law.
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 1.25 hours

Intellectual Property Law - Top Cases of 2025 Reviewed: PART 2
2026-05-20 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Join the CBA-NL for Part 2 of their Intellectual Property series, Top Cases of 2025 Reviewed, with a deeper dive into trade secrets — a growing and often misunderstood area of IP law. This session will be led by Nick Whelan of Cox & Palmer, who will walk us through key trade secret decisions from the past year and discuss what they mean for practitioners and clients.
As businesses place increasing value on confidential information, proprietary processes, and data, trade secret law continues to evolve. This session will explore recent cases and practical considerations.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about a niche but increasingly important area of intellectual property law and to continue building on the discussions from Part 1 of this series.
Event Details
📍 Location: Virtual
💲 Fee: Free for members | $50 + HST for non-members (emt or chq)
Email Robyn cba-nl@cba.org to register.
