Program Chairs:
Emily Hill,
Aboriginal Legal Services
Gillian Hnatiw,
Gillian Hnatiw & Co.
You've heard about them in the news or around the office: Public Commissions of Inquiry like the recent Mass Casualty Commission, Rouleau Commission, or Arar Commission are complex and unique legal processes that often involve sensitive, high profile subject matter. But most advocates have a limited understanding of how they function or what makes for effective advocacy in these dynamic, multi-party forums.
We are bringing together some of Canada's top commission counsel in this new program dedicated to unpacking the unique universe of commissions advocacy.
You will learn:
- The key considerations involved in setting up a commission
- The fundamentals of getting standing for a client before a commission
- Strategic concerns related to productions and procedures
- Issues that may arise for families or other individuals directly impacted by the events at the center of a Commission’s mandate
- The information gathering and advocacy processes that often take place outside the formal hearings
- The importance of shaping a solutions oriented submission
- And more…
Whether you have never acted in a commission, but are interested in a unique window into the work of commissions and inquiries, or if you are experienced commissions counsel who wants to learn how to improve your advocacy, this program is for you.
Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.
Please review the system requirements to view a Zoom event here.
Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice Eileen E. Gillese, Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Hon. Dennis O'Connor, O.C., OOnt, K.C., Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Ronda Bessner, Senior Legal Advisor at the Mass Casualty Commission
Erin Breen, KC, Sullivan Breen Defence
Paul Cavalluzzo, Cavalluzzo LLP
Emma Cunliffe, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
Tom Curry, Lenczner Slaght LLP
Andrea Gonsalves, Stockwoods LLP
Emily Hill, Aboriginal Legal Services
Ewa Krajewska, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
Emily Lawrence, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein
Kate McGrann, Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP
Nasha Nijhawan, Nijhawan McMillan & Conlon Barristers
Luisa Ritacca, Stockwoods LLP
Mark Sandler, Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber LLP
1:00 - 1:05
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Gillian Hnatiw, Gillian Hnatiw & Co
1:05 - 1:45
Commissions 101: What's a Commission and How is it Different than other proceedings?
The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, O.C., OOnt, Q.C., Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Luisa Ritacca, Stockwoods LLP
Ronda Bessner, Senior Legal Advisor at the Mass Casualty Commission
Moderator: Gillian Hnatiw, Gillian Hnatiw & Co
1:45 - 2:20
Who's Driving the Bus? The Role of Commission Counsel
Kate McGrann, Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP
Mark Sandler, Cooper, Sandler, Shime & Schwartzentruber LLP
Emily Lawrence, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein
Moderator: Emily Hill, Aboriginal Legal Services
2:20 - 3:00
Effective Commissions Advocacy Inside the Hearing Room
Paul Cavalluzzo, Cavalluzzo LLP
Tom Curry, Lenczner Slaght LLP
Andrea Gonsalves, Stockwoods LLP
Moderator: Emily Hill, Aboriginal Legal Services
3:00 - 3:15
Break
3:15 - 3:45
Effective Commissions Advocacy Outside the Hearing Room
Erin Breen, KC, Sullivan Breen Defence
Emily Hill, Aboriginal Legal Services
Moderator: Gillian Hnatiw, Gillian Hnatiw & Co
3:45 - 4:25
Submissions and Beyond: Strategic Considerations for Achieving your Client's Goals
The Honourable Justice Eileen E. Gillese, Court of Appeal for Ontario
Emma Cunliffe, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
Ewa Krajewska, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
Nasha Nihjawan, Nijhawan McMillan & Conlon Barristers
Moderator: Gillian Hnatiw, Gillian Hnatiw & Co
4:25 - 4:30
Closing Remarks
Emily Hill, Aboriginal Legal Services
Eligible CPD Hours:
This program contains 1.0 hour of Professionalism content and is eligible for up to 2.5 hours of Substantive content.
The Advocates' Society is an approved CPD provider with the Law Society of British Columbia. This program is eligible for up to 3.5 hours of CPD credits. A minimum 1.0 hour will pertain to ethics, professional responsibility and practice management.
This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.
For information on CPD requirements and accreditation across Canada,
please click here.
Pricing:
TAS Members: Regular: $269.00 + Tax | Discount: $201.75 + Tax* (please see below)
Non-members: Regular: $399.00 + Tax | Discount: $299.25 + Tax* (please see below)
*The Advocates' Society is pleased to offer a 25% discount on this program for all lawyers who practise as sole practitioners, or in firms smaller than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics).
Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.
TAS Members save up to $100 on half-day programs and up to $200 on programs with a skills workshop.
Join us today.