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Discuss Essential Criminal Law Topics with Members of the Judiciary

Criminal Law Fundamentals – Webinar

 

Date: December 8, 2020

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Price: $195 + GST

 

 

Understanding the practical side of criminal matters is essential for lawyers who practice criminal law. Join with members of the judiciary and senior counsel to consider practical approaches to:

  • Disclosure
  • Effective pre-trial conferences – setting realistic timelines for filing Charter motions, etc.
  • Effective use of criminal case management
  • Timely identification of trial issues
  • Realistic estimates of pre-trial motions, voir dires, and trials
  • Agreements on non-contentious issues, including Agreed Statements of Facts, eliminating non-essential witnesses, etc.
  • Using Court resources effectively
  • Witness accommodations
  • Ethics – what you must never do

Chair:

Justice R. Paul Belzil, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta

Presenters:

Justice Susan E. Richardson, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta

Judge A.J. Brown, Provincial Court of Alberta

Edmond J. O’Neill, Aloneissi O’Neill Hurley O’Keeffe Millsap

 

Register today!

 

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Explore Costs Consequences of Without Prejudice Offers to Settle

To See or Not to See: The Impact of Without Prejudice Offers to Settle on Future Costs Awards

 

Date: November 19, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Price:  $95 + GST

 

Join us and Alexander Yiu from Ackroyd LLP at noon on November 19 for a lunchtime webinar with a focus on Civil Litigation. At various points in the litigation process, clients often want to try to settle the dispute. Different situations may call for different solutions. Before embarking on a particular settlement path, lawyers should understand and consider the potential downstream effects of these efforts. Explore costs consequences of without prejudice offers to settle and Calderbank offers, as well as consider the possible repercussions of recent amendments to the Rules of Court in our upcoming webinar, “To See or Not to See: The Impact of Without Prejudice Offers to Settle on Future Costs Awards” this coming Thursday.

Scroll below to learn a little bit about our presenter, and click here to register today!

 

Alex received his LLB from the University of Alberta in 2006 and his LLM from McGill University in 2010.  He is currently a litigation Partner at the Ackroyd law firm in Edmonton. Prior to joining Ackroyd, he was a Senior Associate Lawyer at Field Law and also served as Legal Counsel to the Court of Appeal of Alberta where he was assigned to The Honourable Thomas W. Wakeling and The Honourable Myra B. Bielby.  Alex carries on a general litigation practice with a particular focus on civil litigation, administrative law, insurance, Aboriginal and Metis law.  

Alex is an active volunteer in the legal community. Most recently, Alex served as chair of LESA’s Junior Lawyer Series in 2018/2019 and was a guest faculty instructor at LESA’s Intensive Advocacy program at the University of Calgary in June 2019.   

Alex is currently a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and enjoys teaching in the areas of civil procedure and professional responsibility. 

When he is not practising or teaching law, you can find Alex teaching “Zoom” yoga on Sunday morning to kick-start his week. To read more about Alex, please click here.

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Estate Planning – Going Beyond the Will

Estate planning is much more than drafting a Will. We are excited for our 2-part webinar series offered in collaboration with MNP LLP to commence next week. Read on for details and click on the links to register.

Plus, save $55 when you register for both sessions in this series! Discount will automatically apply when qualifying items are in your cart.

Estate Planning Considerations Part 1: Before Death

Date: November 17, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST (Save $55 when combined with Estate Planning Considerations Part 2: After Death – Webinar)

Presenters: Michelle Coleman, CPA, CA, TEP, CEA, MNP LLP and Keane Donaldson, CPA, CA, TEP, MNP LLP

Join us on November 17 at noon to identify pre-mortem tax planning issues for your clients, including common pitfalls and opportunities. Before death (pre-mortem) planning includes tax and estate planning in order to minimize overall tax on death, and drafting the Will so that the estate will be administered in a tax effective manner. Topics will include common transactions to freeze value and minimize tax, use of trusts in estate planning, philanthropy, and planning considerations regarding TOSI (Tax on Split Income).

Estate Planning Considerations Part 2: After Death

Date: November 24, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST (Save $55 when combined with Estate Planning Considerations Part 1: Before Death – Webinar)

Presenters: Tran Diep, CPA, CA, MNP LLP and Tracy Leishman, CPA, CA, MNP LLP

After death (post-mortem) estate planning will discuss both the compliance for effective estate administration and the tax planning considerations in the administration of an estate.  This session will discuss the inherent double / triple tax on death when owning private company shares and the post-mortem planning to mitigate the double / triple tax, including timing sensitivities.  Topics also include use of various trusts, charitable gifting, and planning considerations regarding TOSI (Tax on Split Income).

 

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Oral Advocacy: Appearing from Remote or In Person

Explore the effectiveness of oral advocacy; how different is it when you remotely appear before a court or tribunal versus appearing in person? Are there things you should or should not be doing? Discuss the judiciary’s perspective on what you can do to better advocate for your clients.

Join us along with Justice Elizabeth A. Hughes, Court of Appeal of Alberta and Justice Robert A. Graesser, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in our informative lunchtime webinar titled, “Effective Oral Advocacy from Remote“.

 

Date: November 18, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Price:  $95 + GST

Presenters: Justice Elizabeth A. Hughes, Court of Appeal of Alberta and Justice Robert A. Graesser, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta

 

Register today!

 

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Revisit the “Must-Know” Rules in our Rules of Court 2020 Webinar Series

Concrete knowledge of the Rules of Court is critical for every litigator. Revisit the “must-know” rules and consider recent judicial treatment of select rules in our upcoming 2-part webinar series.

Save $45 when you register for both parts! Join our esteemed faculty and walk away with practical tips for running effective litigation files. Scroll below for more details.

Click here to register

 

 

Rules of Court 2020 Part 1

Date: November 4, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Price:  $195 + GST (Save $45 when combined with Rules of Court Part 2 – Webinar)  

Chair: Darren J. Reed, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP | Presenters: Gunnar Benediktsson, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Kelly Osaka, Dentons Canada LLP; Cassandra Sutter, Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP

Part 1 topics include:

  • Pleadings and discovery
  • Effective use of expert witnesses, and the rules relating to experts, in both the pre-trial and trial context
  • The “drop dead” rule and dismissal for long delay

Rules of Court 2020 Part 2

Date: November 5, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Price:  $195 + GS(Save $45 when combined with Rules of Court Part 1 – Webinar)

Chair: Darren J. Reed, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP | Presenters: Justice Robert A. Graesser, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and Ryan P. Krushelnitzky, Field LLP

Part 2 topics include:

  • Summary trials and summary judgment (with members of the Court of Queen’s Bench, including when and how to use these tools effectively)
  • Service ex juris, jurisdiction applications, and the rules relating to jurisdiction
  • Rules of Court round up
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Fall Programs Presented in Collaboration with MNP LLP

We are excited to announce our collaboration with MNP LLP on a number of programs this fall. Explore financial statements, tax issues, preventing fraud in disputes and contracts, and estate planning with MNP LLP professionals including accountants, business valuators, business advisors, and more.

Scroll below for a chronological program listing with details and links to register.

 

Business Fundamentals for Lawyers Part 1: Introduction to Financial Statements

Date: October 27, 2020

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST

Presenter: Darrell Wiens, CPA, CA, MNP LLP

 

Learn to read and understand company financial statements. Gain basic financial literacy, learn the components of financial statements and how apply that knowledge to real life examples. We will also review the various accounting frameworks and the types of assurance that accountants can provide.

 

Business Fundamentals for Lawyers Part 2: Financial Statement Analysis

Date: November 3, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST

Presenter: Darrell Wiens, CPA, CA, MNP LLP

 

Consider how to evaluate the health of a business, perform ratio analysis, uncover expenses subject to management discretion, and learn what further questions you must ask.  This course assumes a basic working knowledge of financial statements and will focus on the analysis to uncover insights and understand the story behind the numbers.

 

Business Fundamentals for Lawyers Part 3: Introduction to Business Valuations

Date: November 10, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST

Presenters: James Dyack, CBV, CPA, CA, P.Eng., MBA, MNP LLP and Dany Le, CPA, CMA, CBV, MNP LLP

Explore how a business valuator arrives at an opinion regarding the value of an ownership interest in a company. Examine the reporting standards followed in Canada, discuss common valuation approaches, and learn how the valuation report is organized and delivered to the reader. Explore qualitative considerations and identify common mistakes.

 

Estate Planning Considerations Part 1: Before Death

Date: November 17, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST (Save $55 when combined with Estate Planning Considerations Part 2: After Death – Webinar)

Presenters: Michelle Coleman, CPA, CA, TEP, CEA, MNP LLP and Keane Donaldson, CPA, CA, TEP, MNP LLP


Estate planning is much more than drafting a Will. This session will help you identify pre-mortem tax planning issues for your clients, including common pitfalls and opportunities. Before death (pre-mortem) planning includes tax and estate planning in order to minimize overall tax on death, and drafting the Will so that the estate will be administered in a tax effective manner. Topics will include common transactions to freeze value and minimize tax, use of trusts in estate planning, philanthropy, and planning considerations regarding TOSI (Tax on Split Income).

 

Estate Planning Considerations Part 2: After Death

Date: November 24, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST (Save $55 when combined with Estate Planning Considerations Part 1: Before Death – Webinar)

Presenters: Tran Diep, CPA, CA, MNP LLP and Tracy Leishman, CPA, CA, MNP LLP


After death (post-mortem) estate planning will discuss both the compliance for effective estate administration and the tax planning considerations in the administration of an estate.  This will discuss the inherent double / triple tax on death when owning private company shares and the post-mortem planning to mitigate the double / triple tax, including timing sensitivities.  Topics also include use of various trusts, charitable gifting, and planning considerations regarding TOSI (Tax on Split Income).

 

Preventing Fraud and Disputes in Contracts and Agreements

Date: December 1, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST

Presenter: Lisa Majeau Gordon, FCPA, FCA, CA-IFA, CFE, CFF, MNP LLP

 

Learn how accountants and finance professionals view due diligence, drafting agreements, and contractual compliance. Errors and omissions can easily contribute to disputes and litigation. Explore a series of real-life examples to see what went wrong and how issues could have been avoided. The devil is in the details!

 

Business Fundamentals for Lawyers Part 4: Business Continuity Planning and Digital Transformation

Date: December 9, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Price:  $125 + GST

Presenter: Matt Patrick, MNP LLP

 

Understand what a firm needs to do to prevent possible disruptions to business, how to recover in the event of a disruption, and the role technology plays in this.

 

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Turn Tough Conversations into More Effective Ones

A brand new Webinar on Demand is now available. “Dealing with Difficult Conversations” is a 1.5 hour presentation that will deliver strategies and key skills to help you turn tough conversations, often experienced in the legal profession, into more effective ones. Learn practical techniques for managing emotionally charged situations and moving in a productive direction, even when there is disagreement. Employ a process that will leave you feeling more comfortable and equipped to manage your difficult conversations.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Learn strategies for diffusing heated situations;
  • Discover what not to do when emotions get involved;
  • Understand how to prevent misunderstandings;
  • Address problems rather than postpone them;
  • Respond more effectively when you feel attacked;
  • Learn practical techniques for getting derailed conversations back on track;
  • Address conflict more confidently;
  • Employ a process to guide you from start to finish; and
  • Learn skills and tools to help plan your difficult conversations.

Purchase today and watch and learn at your convenience.

Original broadcast date: September 30, 2020

 

This Webinar on Demand is presented by Karmen Masson, LL.B., CEC, of Karmen Masson, Professional Coaching + Consulting. Karmen is a Certified Executive Coach and leadership consultant who helps people and organizations have more effective interactions and build stronger relationships at work. She was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1997 and worked as a lawyer in private and government practice where she also took on senior management and executive roles. Working closely with members of the judiciary, the legal profession and its stakeholders for over twenty years, she has first-hand experience in dealing with a variety of behavioural styles and overcoming barriers to effective communication. Karmen enjoys sharing her experience and best practices and empowering others to turn their tough conversations into productive ones.

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Meet the Faculty: Corporate Law Fundamentals (2-Day Webinar)

Dates:
Day 1 – October 28, 2020
Day 2 – October 29, 2020

Times:
Day 1 – 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Day 2 – 12:30 PM–4:30 PM

Price: $345 + GST

 

Corporate Law Fundamentals is 2-day webinar series this October that will discuss a range of fundamental corporate law topics from pre-incorporation to dissolution, and much more in between.

Topics will include:

  • Corporate law overview
  • Pre-incorporation considerations
  • Financing considerations
  • Shareholder agreements
  • Fundamental changes & winding up

We’d like to (virtually) introduce you to our lineup of fantastic faculty for this 2-day online program. Scroll below to learn a little bit about each of our presenters, and click here to register.

 

Chair: Kirsty Sklar, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Kirsty Sklar practises corporate and securities law with a focus on corporate financings and mergers and acquisitions. She also assists clients with corporate governance, continuous disclosure, and general corporate matters. Read more

 

Presenter: Jessica Brown, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP

Jessica Brown practises corporate and securities law and works in the areas of capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Read more

 

 

Presenter: Wesley Fairbanks, Dentons Canada LLP

Wes is a member of Dentons’ Corporate group. His practice includes advising public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations and charities, partnerships, start-ups and entrepreneurs on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters… Read more

 

Presenter: Sarah Hammond, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Sarah focuses primarily on corporate and securities law, advising clients with respect to corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, reorganization transactions, corporate governance, stock exchange matters, and general securities and corporate law compliance. Read more

 

Presenter: Eric Vaillant, Witten LLP

Eric is a partner at Witten LLP and a solicitor focused on commercial lending, corporate law, and commercial real estate. Read more

 

 

REGISTER TODAY!

 

 

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The Consumer Debt Negotiation Project: Pairing Law Students with Volunteer Lawyers

An incredible project is underway at the University of Calgary Law School. The consumer debt negotiation project is looking to simultaneously assist recent law school graduates who are without an articling position, and provide support by way of legal services to Albertans struggling amongst debt in light of the economic downturn as a result of the global pandemic.

The consumer debt negotiation project is part of a teaching program through the Public Interest Law Clinic at the University of Calgary. Christine Laing, Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Clinic, estimates that more than 50 law students across our province have been unable to secure articling positions. As quoted in the recent article with Canadian Lawyer, she goes on to say,

…the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Albertans hard … layoffs, job losses and business closures have all triggered financial chaos in the province.” Christine Laing

One of the goals of the consumer debt negotiation project is to enlist volunteer lawyers to work alongside law students to support clients who could not otherwise pay for legal services. With crowdfunding underway, the goal is to raise $25,000 to give one student the opportunity to work part-time for approximately four to six months, with a view to raising more money following “proof of concept” to further assist both law students and the general public alike.

LESA is honoured and pleased to host the online training for those volunteer lawyers who might want to revisit debt-related legal issues.

As Laing was quoted in the Canadian Lawyer, “We’re not frontline workers, we’re not essential services, but lawyers are part of society and we know we can step up and put or skills to public good when needed.”

If you are a lawyer and interested in becoming a volunteer for this project, please click here for details.

If you are interested in contributing to this great initiative, please click here.

 

 

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Avoid Negative Tax Consequences for Your Clients

There is still time left to register for next week’s webinar with Ben Hudson of Hudson Law in Calgary. Explore key considerations and potential pitfalls in this fast-moving lunchtime webinar.

Tax Issues when Buying or Selling a Business


Date: October 21, 2020

Time:  12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Price: $95 + GST

Presenter: Ben Hudson, Hudson Law

 

When acting for clients who are buying or selling a business, lawyers need to be aware of situations that can result in negative tax consequences for their clients.

Topics will include:

  • Assets vs. Shares
  • Holding corporations and pre-sale reorganizations
  • Structuring the deal
  • Tax clauses in acquisition agreements
  • GST

REGISTER TODAY!