Regardless of the kinds of litigation you practice, all litigators have common skills they need to develop throughout their careers. Join us to enhance yours! This program will be of interest to those practicing in civil litigation, criminal law, family law litigation, and estate litigation. It may also be of interest for those whose practices include other kinds of litigation, alternative dispute resolution, administrative law, or appellate work.
Plenary Topics:
- Cross-examinations
- Effective planning and preparation for cross-examinations
- Evidence law refresher
- Fireside chat and Q&A
- Written advocacy and appellate advocacy considerations
Breakout Options:
- Administrative law advocacy
- ADR advocacy
- Civil chambers practice and advocacy
- Family law advocacy Q&A
- Family law special chambers advocacy
- Streamlined trials
Conference registration does not include hotel accommodations.
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*Please Note: Program formats and dates are subject to change. Prices are subject to GST. Early bird pricing ends on January 16, 2025. This program is not being livestreamed nor recorded and will not be made available as an on-demand program.
If multiple people from your firm/organization would like to attend this program, please contact info@lesa.org for pricing. To receive discounted group pricing, you must contact us prior to the first registration from your firm.
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Registration is open until 4pm one business day prior to the date of the program. LESA typically sends e-materials three business days in advance of the program date (where applicable). Registrations received within three business days of the date of the program may result in us not sending e-materials access credentials until the program date.
For payment, cancellation, and transfer policies, please click here.
Thursday
PLENARY | Effective Planning and Preparation for Cross-Examinations
Presenter: Michael O’Brien
The primary objective of cross-examination is to facilitate the truth-seeking process in litigation. A well-prepared and expertly executed cross-examination both minimizes or undermines unhelpful evidence and also elicits favorable testimony from opposing witnesses. This portion of the Alberta Litigation Institute will explore effective strategies that lawyers can implement to plan and prepare for a successful cross-examination.
PLENARY | Cross-Examinations (with “Views from the Bench”)
Presenters: Justice Sony Ahluwalia, Shamsher Kothari KC, and Josh Sadovnick
Learn effective strategies from seasoned counsel on how to create a compelling cross-examination. Gain insights on managing witnesses and selecting crucial topics to cover, and delve into the intricacies behind successful cross-examinations.
BREAKOUTS
Breakout Option A1 | Civil Chambers Practice & Advocacy
Presenters: Melissa N. Burkett and Alexander W. Yiu
This chambers advocacy presentation will address a wide-range of topic areas, including: jurisdiction of Applications Judges; summary dispositions (e.g. summary judgment/dismissal); types of chambers applications (e.g. regular v specials); scheduling of chambers applications (regular v specials) and leave requirements; with notice/without notice applications; costs; service issues; use of affidavit evidence; tips on effective oral/written advocacy; courtroom etiquette/decorum and appeals from an Applications Judge’s Order.
Breakout Option A2 | Family Law Special Chambers Advocacy
Presenters: Andy Hayher KC and Marc Massie
In this session you will learn how to prepare for and advocate for your clients in Family Law Domestic Special Applications. This seminar will focus on providing you with the skills to effectively represent your client’s position from the moment the application is filed until the oral argument at the hearing. There will be a specific focus on affidavit preparation, tips around drafting of Concise Letters, and how to deliver an impactful oral presentation before the Special Chambers Justice.
BREAKOUTS
Breakout Option B1 | ADR Advocacy
Presenters: Krysta Ostwald KC and Sabri M. Shawa KC
Learn the ins and outs of Alternative Dispute Resolution advocacy. This session will provide tips for being effective counsel during mediations and arbitrations and what you need to consider in preparing for both. Faculty will share their experiences with the arbitration process and provide guidance on things to consider before, during, and after the arbitration is complete.
Breakout Option B2 | Administrative Law Advocacy
Presenter: Bill Shores KC
The day to day work of administrative lawyers is persuading boards and tribunals of the strength of your client’s case. While much of the academic focus is on decisions of courts in judicial reviews and appeals, most administrative law is practiced before lay tribunals. Learn how to tailor your advocacy skills from litigation to become an effective advocate at an administrative tribunal. Gain pointers on administrative law advocacy in court on judicial reviews and appeals.
Friday
PLENARY | Evidence Law Refresher
Presenter: Vivian Stevenson KC and Anthony Burden
Everyone can use a refresher on the rules of evidence. This session will provide an overview of everyday evidence issues that litigation counsel may have to deal with. From basic objections to the rule in Brown v Dunn, Vivian Stevenson KC will draw on her years of experience to provide attendees with insights and practical tips for dealing with evidentiary issues as they arise in the courtroom.
BREAKOUTS
Breakout Option C1 | Streamlined Trials
Presenters: Dr. Gunnar Benediktsson and Josh Sadovnick
With dates for trials getting further and further in the future and the hurdles for timely summary adjudications of matters getting higher and higher, the Court of King’s Bench has fashioned a new tool to assist, namely the Streamlined Trial procedure. Review the general application of the streamlined trial procedure, tips and tricks for both the mandatory 4.10 case conference and the streamlined trial, and practical considerations for determining if a streamlined trial is right (or wrong) for your matter.
Breakout Option C2 | Family Law Advocacy Q&A
Presenters: Andy Hayher KC, Marc Massie, Krysta Ostwald KC
Bring your questions! This interactive and informative discussion will focus on key topics in family law advocacy. Hear insights and experiences from esteemed family law practitioners.
PLENARY | Written Advocacy and Appellate Advocacy Considerations
Presenters: Justice Jolaine Antonio and Andy Hayher KC
Explore best practices at the Court of Appeal for single Justice applications and full panel appeals, including how to deliver an effective oral presentation at either. Gain tips for drafting a persuasive factum/memorandum of argument and consider the importance of the standard of review.
PLENARY | Fireside Chat and Q&A
Presenter: Justice Jolaine Antonio and Justice Nick Devlin
Hear from Justice Antonio and Justice Devlin on their views from the Bench and gain a judicial perspective on a variety of topics.
Thursday |
TIME* | TOPIC | SPEAKER(S) |
CHECK-IN and BREAKFAST | 8:30 AM – 9:25 AM |
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Welcome Remarks
Rooms 214-216 | LESA Staff and Andy Hayher KC |
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | Effective Planning and Preparation for Cross-Examinations
Rooms 214-216 | Michael O’Brien |
NETWORKING BREAK | 10:45 AM –11:05 AM |
11:05 AM – 12:30 PM | Cross-Examinations
Rooms 214-216 | Justice Sony Ahluwalia,
Shamsher Kothari KC, Josh Sadovnick |
LUNCH | 12:30 PM –1:30 PM |
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Civil Chambers Practice & Advocacy
Rooms 214-216 | Family Law Special Chambers Advocacy
Rooms 209-211 | Civil: Melissa N. Burkett &
Alexander W. Yiu Family Law: Andy Hayher KC &
Marc Massie |
NETWORKING BREAK | 2:30 PM –2:50 PM |
2:50 PM – 4:00 PM | ADR Advocacy
Rooms 214-216 | Administrative Law Advocacy
Rooms 209-211 | ADR: Krysta Ostwald KC &
Sabri Shawa KC Admin Law: Bill Shores KC |
NETWORKING RECEPTION | 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM |
Friday |
TIME* | TOPIC(S) | SPEAKER(S) |
BREAKFAST | 8:30 AM – 9:25 AM |
9:30 AM – 9:35 AM | Morning Remarks
Rooms 214-216 | LESA Staff and Andy Hayher KC |
9:35 AM – 10:35 AM | Evidence Law Refresher
Rooms 214-216 | Vivian Stevenson KC & Anthony Burden |
NETWORKING BREAK | 10:35 AM –10: 55 AM |
10:55 AM – 12:00 PM | Streamlined Trials (Civil)
Rooms 214-216 | Family Law Advocacy Q&A
Rooms 209-211 | Civil: Dr. Gunnar Benediktsson & Josh Sadovnick Family: Andy Hayher KC,
Marc Massie &
Krysta Ostwald KC |
LUNCH | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Written Advocacy and Appellate Advocacy Considerations
Rooms 214-216 | Justice J. Antonio &
Andy Hayher KC |
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | Fireside Chat and Q&A
Rooms 214-216 | Justice Jolaine Antonio and Justice Nick Devlin |
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Wrap Up
Rooms 214-216 | LESA Staff and Andy Hayher KC |
*Note: Times are approximate and subject to change
A special rate of $169 per night (plus taxes) has been secured for a standard king/queen room at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Calgary Downtown. This rate includes parking, wi-fi, and breakfast. Attendees of the Alberta Litigation Institute are responsible for their own accommodations and travel. Book your group rate for LESA Room Block 2025.
Alternatively, you can contact the hotel directly at 403-351-6500 and mention the LESA Room Block 2025 to obtain this rate.
Reservations must be made by February 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM. If the room block sells out before this date, the hotel will accept reservations based on availability and the best available rate.
