Real estate law may be familiar territory—but it’s rarely static. The questions are getting more nuanced, the risks more complex, and the conversations more important. That’s exactly why LESA’s 2026 Refresher: Real Estate, taking place April 17–19 in Banff, continues to be a must-attend event for Alberta real estate lawyers.

Go Beyond the Basics—and Into the Grey Areas

Most practitioners understand the role of Dower on a sale or mortgage and know the standard questions to ask to move a transaction forward. But what happens when the answers don’t fit neatly into the usual framework?

What if a spouse refuses consent—not to stall a transaction, but because they want to remain in the property for the rest of their life? How does a life interest work in practice? Who pays the taxes, insurance, and upkeep? Is the life interest holder responsible for maintaining the property’s value for the titled owner or future beneficiaries?

These are the kinds of real-world scenarios that don’t always come with clear, one-size-fits-all answers—and exactly the kinds of issues the Refresher is designed to explore. Expect thoughtful discussion that challenges assumptions and equips you with practical insights you can apply directly to your files.

Tackle Emerging Risks and Industry Shifts

The 2026 Refresher: Real Estate conference is intentionally designed to provoke discussion and deliver tangible takeaways for today’s practice. Topics will include:

• Banks holding trust cheques and the growing risks for lawyers dealing with non-certified funds

• The rise of “super firms” completing ten thousand deals per year—and what that means for Alberta practitioners

• The largest wealth transfer in human history and how it will affect the transfer of family property to future generations

These are not hypothetical concerns. They are issues lawyers are encountering now—and the Refresher provides a space to unpack them with colleagues who understand the realities of practice.

A Format Designed for Meaningful Engagement

This year’s Refresher also brings an intentional shift in format. As conference chair Jason McCulloch explains:

“We are encouraging presenters to create a dialogue to engage the participants, rather than just preparing a paper and speaking to it. For this reason alone, in-person attendance will be meaningful because much of the content has potential to evolve at the conference itself.”

That means fewer passive presentations and more opportunities to engage, question, and learn from one another in real time. The conversations won’t just supplement the materials—they’ll shape them.

Learn, Connect, and Reflect—All in Banff

Set against the backdrop of Banff, the Refresher offers more than high-quality professional development. It’s also an opportunity to step out of the day-to-day pace of practice, reconnect with colleagues from across the province, and return home with fresh perspectives and renewed confidence in your work.

Join us in Banff for LESA’s 2026 Refresher: Real Estate, April 17–19 and be part of the conversations shaping the future of real estate practice in Alberta.

Register now to engage in these insightful discussions—and many more.