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62565.02With rapid advances in AI and new research technologies, the nature of legal support work is evolving in how assistants and paralegals can elevate the support they provide and grow their professional value. This paper expands upon research fundamentals, with a practice-specific focus on case law. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Elevating Family Law Practice: Skills for Legal Support Staff program on November 21, 2025.
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62565.01This paper explores how Microsoft Copilot integrates across Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams to streamline paralegal workflows, from drafting and editing to summarizing and scheduling. Understand the practical benefits and risks of AI in a legal environment, including where it can save time, where caution is needed, and how to use it responsibly. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Elevating Family Law Practice: Skills for Legal Support Staff program on November 21, 2025.
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62530.12There are four categories of informal logical fallacies, with each category containing a subgroup of logical fallacies that rely on a similar logical structure to convey unsound conclusions. These materials explore the fallacies of presumption, relevance, weak induction, and ambiguity. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62530.11The ultimate decision made, whether by a court or an arbitrator, is only as good as the evidence put before them. This paper explores the do’s and don’ts of what to obtain and how to prepare your evidence effectively. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62530.07While many lawyers’ draft pleadings as a mere formality to commence an action, improperly drafted pleadings may cause confusion that may result in unnecessary litigation. This paper explores some foundational rules and the various types of pleadings that may be relevant to family law, as well as addressing some considerations when drafting pleadings in your family law practice. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62530.06These materials explore tactics and organization when presenting your case; preparing clients for direct and cross examination; direct examination; pace, tone and use of inflection; evidence; and the top 5 dos and don’ts for direct examination. This paper also references the materials used within the Intensive Advocacy course offered through LESA, and the required reading: Lee Stuesser, An Advocacy Primer, 4th ed (Toronto: Carswell, 2015). These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62530.03Examination in chief is an opportunity for a client to connect with the judge, create a narrative that is clear and concise, and enter the evidence that supports the client’s testimony. This paper explores the process of reviewing the file, preparing the examination in chief, and conducting the examination in chief at trial. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62530.02These materials differ between oral mediation and arbitration. They explore what arbitrators look for in terms of evidence and the differences that exist in evidentiary rules. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Conference (Kananaskis) program in Kananaskis on October 24–25, 2025.
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62535.01Recent amendments to the Divorce Act and resulting jurisprudence have significantly shaped the legal framework surrounding relocation and mobility rights, bringing greater clarity in many areas while also introducing nuanced procedural and substantive requirements. This paper explores what has changed, what remains constant, and how lawyers can interpret and apply the updated legislation effectively. Key themes include the evolution of the best interests of the child test under Gordon v Goertz, distinguishing relocation from a mere change in residence, and navigating the statutory burden of proof. These materials were presented at LESA’s On the Move: Navigating Relocation and Mobility Rights in Family Law webinar on July 16, 2025.
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62474.04Participation in alternative dispute resolution processes is now mandated by Alberta courts for family law matters. In light of such requirements, and increasing desires by parties to participate in ADR, it is imperative that family law lawyers understand their responsibilities and obligations. This paper explores the standard of care in collaborative processes, whether parties can be compelled into arbitration, whether counsel can exert pressure on clients to mediate or settle, whether agreements reached in mediation are binding, the standard of appeal for arbitration, and ethical obligations to screen for family violence. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law 25 program in Edmonton on May 27, 2025.
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62474.03Modern child support laws are child-focused and evaluate parental obligations to financially support their children within their social context and in consideration of all the circumstances. This area of law is continually undergoing refinement, and its multitude of nuances can make the determination of child support challenging. This paper explores various concepts including retroactive child support, the DBS factors, adult children, and imputation of income. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law 25 program in Edmonton on May 27, 2025.
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62474.02Through the lens of five key family property cases, this paper explores the intersection of sections 7 and 8 of the Family Property Act. Topics addressed include the difference between section 7(3) and section 7(4) property, the presumption of equal sharing of section 7(4) property, section 7(3) property to be adjusted in a just and equitable manner, rebutting the presumption of equal sharing of section 7(4) property, the section 8 factors, property acquired during separation, and dissipation. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law 25 program in Edmonton on May 27, 2025.
