How you prepare for trial, lead evidence, get the admissions you need, and help the trier of fact understand your theory of the case is critical. Learning the art of examination, developing skills and techniques, and understanding how to integrate them will build your trial confidence and competence.

This two-day conference is intended for all litigators, regardless of experience level or practice area focus.

 

Conference Details

Dates: October 2-3, 2026
Location: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Early bird price: $1,095  | Ends July 27 | Regular: $1,295

Conference registration does not include accommodations. 

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, October 2
Keynote Speaker: Acting Chief Justice of Alberta Dawn Pentelechuk, Court of Appeal of Alberta
AM – The Art of Examination in Chief | Justice Nicholas Devlin
PM – Witness Preparation and Trial Preparation | Mona Duckett KC

Saturday, October 3
AM & PM – Pozner on Cross: The Chapter Method | Larry Pozner

Faculty

Justice Nicholas Devlin, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta

Born in Calgary, Justice Devlin was called to the bar in 1996 after graduating from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law as a gold medalist. Beginning his practice in the litigation department of Torys LLP, Justice Devlin later received his LL.M from the University of Toronto. He served as counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada from 2001-2019. A member of the Nunavut, Ontario, and Alberta bars, Justice Devlin’s practice focused primarily on complex criminal and constitutional trials and appeals. He has taught trial advocacy techniques across Canada, including serving as adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School from 2013-2017. Justice Devlin was appointed a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta in 2019.

Mona Duckett KC, Dawson, Duckett, Garcia & Johnson

After graduating from the U of A Faculty of Law in 1983, Mona practiced criminal defence and related administrative law, including professional disciplinary work. She served as a Bencher with the Law Society of Alberta from 2000 to 2006, finishing her tenure at the Law Society as president. She is a past president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She has served on numerous boards and committees within the legal profession.

Mona presented at continuing legal education programs for lawyers, judges, and police. She was a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta Law School in Advanced Criminal Law, Professional Responsibility and Advocacy. She served for 16 years as a member of the Faculty of the Federation of Canadian Law Societies, National Criminal Law Program. She produced numerous criminal law papers and co-authored the 2010 criminal text, Trial of Sexual Offences, and co-authored the 2022 text, Witness Preparation, Presentation and Assessment, which is being revised for a 2026 2^nd edition.

Acting Chief Justice of Alberta Dawn Pentelechuk, Court of Appeal of Alberta

Acting Chief Justice Pentelechuk was admitted to the Alberta bar in 1987 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2007.  She was appointed a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in 2013. Prior to her practice with Cleall Barristers & Solicitors beginning in 2003, she practised with Schlosser Pentelechuk Wood as well as Duncan & Craig.

Acting Chief Justice Pentelechuk was actively involved as a volunteer for the Edmonton Community Legal Centre (beginning in 2006) as well as an instructor for the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Development, a sessional instructor for the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, and an instructor for the Alberta Bar Admission Course.

Larry Pozner, Pozner on Cross

Rarely can we say that someone “wrote the book” on a subject. Even more unusual is a book that changed a profession. In this program both are true. Larry Pozner is a leading authority on cross-examination. Pozner’s book Cross Examination: Science and Techniques (soon to be printed in its 4th Ed., Pozner and Dodd) and his seminars Pozner on Cross: the Chapter Method revolutionized our profession’s view of the purposes and methods of modern cross.

Larry Pozner is a lecturer, author, and trial consultant. He has long been recognized in Best Lawyers in America in Criminal Law—both white collar and non-white collar, and in civil “Bet the Company” litigation. He is a Past President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and  began his career as a Colorado Public Defender. Pozner was trial counsel for more than a decade for the Denver Broncos franchise and its owner, Pat Bowlen.

How to Register

Click here for conference details and registration