Program Chairs:
Lisa Belcourt,
Ferguson Deacon Taws LLP
Brenda Hollingsworth,
Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation
Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi,
Pallett Valo LLP
Brian Sunohara,
Rogers Partners LLP
For over three decades, Tricks of the Trade has been the leading annual conference for the Ontario personal injury bar, addressing current challenges for both plaintiff and defence counsel. Esteemed faculty from the Bench and Bar will provide key updates on recent decisions, timely advocacy tips, and the latest guidance on practice and procedure for personal injury litigators.
You will also have the chance to connect with personal injury colleagues over breakfast, coffee, lunch and your beverage of choice at the post-program reception!
Topics Include:
- An examination of damages assessment using realistic scenarios
- Demonstration and commentary: dis/qualifying expert witnesses
- Best practices relating to waivers and sports liability
- The law relating to eScooters and eBikes
- Practical implications of the proposed changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure
- Top tips for civil sexual assault cases
- The latest updates on tort law, accident benefits, AI and legal tech, and much more!
Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program.
Keynote Speaker:
The Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario
Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice Kathleen Cullin, Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Audrey Ramsay, Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Lucille Shaw, Superior Court of Justice
Ashlee Barber, Williams Litigation Lawyers LLP
Oneal Banerjee, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP
Ryan S. Breedon, Breedon Mor LLP
Edward (Ted) J. Chadderton, Carroll Heyd Chown
Laura Emmett, SBA Lawyers LLP
Deanna S. Gilbert, Thomson Rogers LLP
Simona Jellinek, Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Lawyers
Katherine Kolnhofer, Bell Temple LLP
Nainesh Kotak, Kotak Law
Barbara L. Legate, Legate Injury Lawyers
Rose Leto, Neinstein Law
Linda C. Phillips-Smith, Stieber Berlach LLP
Sharu Ratnajothy, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP
D. Keith Smockum, Smockum Zarnett LLP
8:30 – 9:20
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:20 – 9:30
Introductory Remarks
Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Pallett Valo LLP
9:30 – 9:50
Tort Law Update
Sharu Ratnajothy, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP
Introduced by: Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Pallett Valo LLP
9:50 – 10:15
Developments around eScooters and eBikes
Nainesh Kotak, Kotak Law
Introduced by: Brenda Hollingsworth, Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation
10:15 – 10:35
Accident Benefits Update
Laura Emmett, SBA Lawyers LLP
Introduced by: Brian Sunohara, Rogers Partners LLP
10:35 – 10:50
Morning Break
10:50 – 11:40
Demonstration and Commentary: Dis/Qualifying Experts
The Hon. Justice Audrey Ramsay, Superior Court of Justice
Oneal Banerjee, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP
Deanna S. Gilbert, Thomson Rogers
Moderator: Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Pallett Valo LLP
11:40 – 12:00
What’s New in Waivers and Sports Liability?
Edward (Ted) J. Chadderton, Carroll Heyd Chown
Introduced by: Lisa Belcourt, Ferguson Deacon Taws LLP
12:00 – 1:00
Lunch
1:00 – 1:35
Keynote
The Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario
Introduced by: Brian Sunohara, Rogers Partners LLP
1:35 – 2:15
The Practical Impact of Civil Rules Reform
Barbara L. Legate, Legate Injury Lawyers
D. Keith Smockum, Smockum Zarnett LLP
Moderator: Lisa Belcourt, Ferguson Deacon Taws LLP
2:15 – 2:55
Bringing and Defending a Civil Sexual Assault Action
The Hon. Justice Kathleen Cullin, Superior Court of Justice
Simona Jellinek, Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Lawyers
Linda C. Phillips-Smith, Stieber Berlach LLP
Moderator: Brenda Hollingsworth, Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation
2:55 – 3:35
Exploring Damage Assessment using Realistic Scenarios
The Hon. Justice Lucille Shaw, Superior Court of Justice
Ashlee Barber, Williams Litigation Lawyers LLP
Ryan S. Breedon, Breedon Mor LLP
Moderator: Brian Sunohara, Rogers Partners LLP
3:35 – 3:50
Afternoon Break
3:50 – 4:25
Best Practices for Using AI in Litigation
Katherine Kolnhofer, Bell Temple LLP
Rose Leto, Neinstein LLP
Moderator: Brenda Hollingsworth, Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation
4:25 – 4:30
Concluding Remarks
Brenda Hollingsworth, Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation
Best Conference in 34 Years
"This was the best conference I have attended in 34 years. I thought the conference was very well-planned with invaluable contributions from the Bench. Thank you for organizing this most informative day."
Excellent Content
"The content was excellent as always, with a good mix between presentations and panel discussions. The topics were well-chosen and very relevant to my practice."
Insightful Commentary and Excellent Moderators
"Concise presentations, insightful judicial commentary, excellent moderators."
A Real Treat
"The panel discussions were very informative and it was a real treat getting some insight from the judiciary and senior lawyers/partners."
Very Useful, Interesting and Timely
"Great program - very useful, interesting and timely. Excellent Materials."
Eligible CPD Hours:
This program contains 0.25 EDI Professionalism Hour(s), 2.0 Professionalism Hours, and is eligible for up to 4.75 Substantive Hours.
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: $719.00 + Tax
Junior Members: $649.00 + Tax
Outside GTA Members: $649.00 + Tax
Non-Members: $869.00 + Tax
We are pleased to offer at 10% early bird discount to those who register before December 19, 2025!
TAS Members always save at least $50.00 per full-day program and up to $200.00 on core skills workshops.
Join us today.