We’ve hunted down the best CPD opportunities for 2012 to satisfy all of your stringent requirements.
Whether you want your learning to be all-in-one, foodie-friendly, skill-specific or you just want a quick holiday, here’s the best of the bunch:
Hyper Efficiency
Get all of your CPD credits in one shot
33rd IntensIve TrIal Advocacy Workshop
Credits: TBA
Cost: $3,795
Where: Toronto
When: July 8–15, 2012
Register: www.osgoodepd.ca
This Osgoode Professional Development workshop is a chance to roll up your sleeves and argue — plus it looks great on a resume. Learn the ropes from over 100 active members of the bench and bar at small group sessions. You’ll practice new skills and even watch video playbacks to see that weird thing you do with your mouth when you’re thinking. The last two days are spent at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice trying a mock case.
InstItute 2012
Credits: 24 CPD courses on offer
Cost: $295/ course (for members)
Where: Toronto
When: February 9–11, 2012
Register: www.oba.org/institute2012
This is the mother of all legal conferences in Canada. This event by the Ontario Bar Association will host 24 law programs, offering a mix of professionalism and substantive credits, six special events, over 200 guest speakers, and will welcome 2,000 attendees from across the country. Keynote speaker is former Liberal insider turned PR rep turned author Terry Fallis, winner of Canada Reads 2011 for his novel, The Best Laid Plans.
SkIlled Lawyers SerIes 2: Corporate or LitIgatIon Streams
Credits: P 3,S 9,N 12
Cost: CBA member: $800 Non-member: $2,000
Where: Wherever you are
When: 8 live webcasts, replay anytime
Register: www.cba.org
Yes, the price tag is daunting, but hey, if you’ve been meaning to join the Canadian Bar Association anyway, the course and membership fees are less than the non-member price. In this skills-based training, learn how to tame difficult witnesses, how to construct the perfect question, and the dos and don’ts of motions. The seminars can be watched live online once a month, with opportunities to discuss during the broadcast.
Working Holiday
Network at conferences in exotic locales
CBA CanadIan Legal Conference and Expo
Credits: P 3,S 9, N 12
Cost: $625 – $1,975 (depending on year of call)
Where: Vancouver, B.C.
When: August 12–14, 2012
Register: www.cba.org
Not only can you get all of your CPD done in a few days at the Canadian Bar Association’s annual conference, but you can spend your evenings networking with lawyers from around the world over
B.C.’s Okanagan wines or hoppy IPAs. Last year’s keynote speaker was HuffPo’s Arianna Huffington — watch for another big name this year.
InternatIonal Conference 2012 – ArgentIna
Credits: Only S available
Cost: $1,100
Where: Mendoza, Buenos Aires
When: April 19–27, 2012
Register: www.advocates.ca
Sign up for the Advocates’ Society’s biennial event now and you might get to hobnob with senior justices, leading thinkers, government ministers from near and far, foreign ambassadors, human rights activists and top international barristers. If you miss out, make sure to plan ahead for 2014.
InternatIonal CrImInal law Program: EvIdence, Ethics and the AdmInIstratIon of Justice
Credits: 22 hours available
Cost: $495 – $750
Where: Victoria, B.C.
When: July 9–13, 2012
Register: www.flsc.ca
This year’s premier criminal law conference in Canada is taking place in Victoria. The Federation of Law Societies’ annual event has all the staples: round table discussions, breakout sessions and debates featuring Canada’s top defence lawyers, Crown prosecutors and members of the judiciary.
Foodie Friendly
Because good nosh makes swallowing CPD a little easier
Toronto MentorIng DInner SerIes 2011-2012
Credits: P 2, N 2
Cost: $65 – $75
Where: Toronto
When: February 8, March 21 & May 10, 6:00 p.m.
Register: 416-597-0243 – Ext 113
This series is like speed dating — only with mentors. Sounds like a recipe for awkwardness to us. But don’t fear: they must be good because these soirees sell out fast. Nosh on gourmet tapas while working the room with other junior lawyers at this Advocates’ Society series.
Trusts and Estates: Dinner WIth Your Honourable Estates List Judges
Credits: S 1.5
Cost: $50 – $80
Where: Toronto
When: April 24, 2012, 5:30 p.m.
Register: www.oba.org
This Ontario Bar Association event is a biennial favourite. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet judges of the Superior Court of Justice who will review cases of note, comment on procedural concerns and provide insight for trusts and estates practitioners. Out of town? Attend via live webcast.
Higher Learning
Max out your brain capacity and your credits
7th SymposIum on Search and Seizure Law In Canada
Credits: TBA
Cost: $495
Where: Toronto
When: January 27, 2012
Register: www.osgoodepd.ca
Dust off your copy of the Charter and get ready to learn all about Section 8, from the interception of private communications to the latest developments in computer searches. This Osgoode Professional Development symposium is taught by leading counsel from both sides of the bar, judges and law enforcement officers.
2011 ConstItutIonal Cases: 15th Annual AnalysIs of the ConstItutIonal DecIsIons of the Supreme Court of Canada
Credits: TBA
Cost: $465
Where: Toronto
When: May 4, 2012
Register: www.osgoodepd.ca
Challenge your constitutional knowledge with Osgoode Professional Development’s popular annual program. Hear big names in the legal academic community review the Supreme Court’s significant constitutional judgments and trends from the last year. Past keynote speakers include J.J. Michel Robert, Chief Justice of the Québec Court of Appeal, and former governor general Adrienne Clarkson.
Current Topics in Ethics and ProfessionaIism
Credits: P 3, N 3
Cost: $100 – $125
Where: Toronto
When: Fall 2012
Register: www.tlaonline.ca
Keep your eyes open for the date of this popular workshop by the Toronto Lawyers Association. Their “nutshell” programs held at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law are always topical and to the point.
ExamInIng and Cross-examInIng Experts: WInnIng StrategIes, Trends and SolutIons
Credits: TBA
Cost: $195 – $420
Where: Toronto (and online)
When: May 16, 2012
Register: www.advocates.ca
Expert witnesses can make your case — unless they’re batting for the other team. This Advocates’ Society event teaches you the ropes through presentations and an afternoon workshop, where you’ll learn how to find, choose and prepare experts, and take down your opponents’ witnesses.
The Six-MInute Lawyer SerIes
Credits: Varies
Cost: $210
Where: Live in Toronto, online or through archived webcast
When: Throughout 2012
Register: www.lsuc.on.ca
Don’t know what to focus on? Sign up for one of the Law Society’s programs that feature a series of bite-sized updates on several areas of law. Featuring some of Canada’s best lawyers and judges, these presenters will discuss trends, issues and pivotal cases in — you guessed it — six minutes each.
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