Summer Trial Advocacy College 2026

Summer Trial Advocacy College

Date: Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 9:00AM - 4:30PM (Both Days) (ET)
Location: The Advocates' Society, 2700-250 Yonge St., Toronto ON.
Delivery: In Person

Immersive Skills

Lead Instructors:
Robert B. Bell, Lerners LLP
Corie Langdon, Ministry of the Attorney General

Master the art of civil trial advocacy at our popular intensive two-day workshop. This hands-on program will test and refine your skills in case analysis, opening and closing statements, examination-in-chief and cross-examination. Limited spaces available!

This workshop is your chance to practise and refine your trial advocacy skills in a supportive environment. You will get practical, individualized feedback from our trained instructors. You will also learn from your peers as you work through the interactive exercises in small groups. Please also note that the workshop requires advance preparation based on a mock case file, which will be provided to you in advance of the workshop.

Faculty Includes:
Alexandra Clark, Ministry of the Attorney General
Brian G. Grant, Brian Grant Mediation
Risa Kirshblum, Lenczner Slaght
Anne E. Spafford, Lerners LLP
Michael S.F. Watson, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
Adrienne Woodyard, EY Law LLP

Day 1

8:30 – 9:00
Networking Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:05
Welcome and Introduction to the Program

9:05 – 9:30
Interactive Plenary Session: Brainstorming the Facts

9:30 – 10:00
Interactive Plenary Session: Developing a Theory and Supporting Themes

10:00 – 10:30
Interactive Plenary Session: Orientation to Opening Statement: Devising Your Storyline

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Break

10:45 – 12:30
Small Groups: Opening Statement

12:30 – 1:20
Lunch

1:20 – 2:20
Interactive Plenary Session: Orientation to Examination-in-chief
Faculty Demonstration: Examination-in-chief and Exhibits – A Quick Refresher

2:20 – 2:35
Break

2:35 – 4:10
Small groups: Examination-in-chief

4:10 – 4:30
Interactive Plenary Session: Faculty Demonstration: Cross-Examination

4:30
Distribution of Examination-in-chief Transcripts
Participants will receive examination-in-chief transcripts of Sandy Patterson and Sam Bradley in preparation for the cross-examination and impeachment exercises on Day 2.

Day 2

8:30 – 9:00
Registration

9:00 – 9:45
Interactive Plenary Session: Orientation to Cross-Examination – What to Ask and How to Ask for It
Faculty Demonstration: Impeaching with a Prior Inconsistent Statement

9:45 – 10:45
Small Groups: Cross-Examination

10:45 – 11:00
Break

11:00 – 12:00
Small Groups: Cross-Examination - Continued

12:00 – 12:30
Interactive Plenary Session: Orientation to Closing Argument – Weaving it All Together

12:30 – 1:15
Working Lunch

1:15 – 2:30
Small Groups: Closing Argument

2:30 – 2:45
Break

2:45 – 4:00
Small groups: Closing Argument - Continued

4:00 – 4:30
Debrief and Evaluation (Return to Plenary)

Prepared me for Court
"The instructors' insights and feedback prepared me for Court better than law school or articling."

CLE highlight of the year
"Excellent faculty and materials. Superb learning environment. CLE highlight of the year!"

Next best thing to conducting a trial
"I've often heard senior lawyers say that the best way to become a confident trial lawyer is to get on your feet and conduct a trial. This program is the next best thing."

Great opportunity to learn from experienced litigators
"Incredible experience and great opportunity to network and learn from experienced litigators. I have confidence that each student walked away as a better and more strategic litigator than they were prior to their participation."

Eligible CPD Hours:
This program contains 5.75 Professionalism Hours and is eligible for up to 7.25 Substantive Hours.

Law Society Accredited

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: $999.00 + Tax | Discount: $749.25 + Tax* (please see below)
Non-members: Regular: $1,199.00 + Tax | Discount: $899.25 + Tax* (please see below)

*Sole practitioners, lawyers who practise in firms with fewer than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics) can take advantage of a 25% discount off the registration fee for this program. If you are eligible for this discount, please enter SSG2025 in the appropriate field at check-out.

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. Click here to become a member today. Become a member today.

Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program

Summer Trial Advocacy College

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