Develop a confident, professional courtroom presence by exploring every aspect of trial and hearing work. LESA’s Intensive Advocacy course is an intense, learn-by-doing program that offers an incomparable opportunity to develop skills as an advocate. This course couples continual performance with rich performance feedback. With the aid of brief faculty lectures and faculty demonstrations, attendees perform drills and exercises designed to hone critical advocacy skills.
This course focuses on four key competencies designed to help attendees develop and perfect their advocacy skills: case analysis, storytelling, evidence, and courtroom decorum. On the final day of the course, attendees integrate these competencies in a simulated trial or hearing.
“This course definitely lived up to its name as intensive, but also its reputation for accelerating professional growth. It was a big investment of time and energy, but I don’t think I’ve ever grown so much as an advocate in a single week.” ~ 2023 Participant
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*Please Note: Program formats and dates are subject to change. This program has limited enrolment.
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For payment, cancellation, and transfer policies, please click here.
Chair
Jennifer L. Ruttan, Ruttan Bates
Team Leaders
Justice Janet Dixon, Alberta Court of Justice
Mona T. Duckett KC, Dawson, Duckett, Garcia & Johnson
Tim Mavko, Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP
Hon. Rosemary E. Nation, Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
William (Bill) W. Shores KC, Shores Jardine LLP
Andrew Wilson KC, JSS Barristers
Alexander Yiu, Ackroyd LLP
Guest Instructors
Elizabeth Aspinall, Bennett Jones LLP
Melissa Burkett, Alberta Justice
Danielle Collins, Latitude Family Law LLP
Steve Eichler, Field LLP
Frank Friesacher KC, McCuaig Desrochers LLP
Hon. David Gates, Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
Danielle E. Green, Alberta Crown Prosecution Service
Justice Michele H. Hollins, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
Michael Kirk KC, Miller Thomson LLP
Linda Maj KC, Department of Justice Canada
Laura Marr, Alberta Court of Justice
Robert D. McDonald KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Justice Karen Molle, Alberta Court of Justice
Michael O’Brien, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Thomas O’Leary KC, Blue Rock Law LLP
Kathryn Quinlan, Dawson, Duckett, Garcia & Johnson
Alexandra Seaman, Dawson, Duckett, Garcia & Johnson
Roger Smith KC, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
James D. Thomas, Alberta Crown Prosecution Service
Pre-Course Work
LESA will send course materials in April. Participants are expected to read the course binder and textbook before the course begins, as well as complete 10-15 hours of pre-course learning activities.
Course Days (Schedule at a Glance)
Monday: 8:00 am – 5:45 pm
Tuesday: 8:15 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:15 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:15 am – 12:30 pm (in class); after 12:30 pm – preparation for simulated trials/hearings
Saturday: 8:15 am – 3:00 pm
Please note that times are approximate and subject to change. Additional agenda details will be included in the course binder.
LESA has secured a rate of $179.99 per night (plus taxes) for a king suite or $169.99 per night (plus taxes) for a standard king room at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW – University Area. This rate includes parking, wi-fi, and breakfast. Attendees of the Intensive Advocacy course are responsible for their own accommodations and travel. Click here to reserve a room.
Alternatively, you can contact the hotel directly at 587-390-6100 and mention the group block LESA2025 to obtain this rate.
Reservations must be made by May 8, 2025. If the room block sells out before this date, the hotel will accept reservations based on availability and the best available rate.
Please Note: The Global Petroleum Show will be in Calgary during part of the week of Intensive Advocacy. Accommodations are difficult to find during this time. We recommend that you book your accommodations as soon as possible. Any changes or cancellations to your hotel reservation made after 6pm, 5 days prior to your arrival date are subject to a 1 night room and tax penalty.
