Public demand for accessible and affordable legal services combined with changes in technology, the emergence of alternative service providers and an increasingly globalized legal market are all changing the legal environment in Alberta. The Innovation Sandbox is an initiative of the Law Society of Alberta to support innovators in testing new ideas and models for the delivery of legal services, with the first round of applications to open in February 2022.

Join CBA Alberta for a presentation by Len Polsky, Manager, Legal Technology and Mentorship, Policy and Education to learn more about the Innovation Sandbox and developing innovative models for the delivery of legal services outside the existing regulatory requirements. Find out more and register. Registration closes 24 hours before the event.

The event will be in a meeting format on Zoom.

Date: Feb. 4, 2022

Time: Noon MST

Cost: Webcast Subscribers – No charge
On Demand Subscribers/Non-Subscribers – $15.00
U of A / U of C Law Student Members – No charge

For many lawyers in Alberta, the past two years have changed how they do their job. Whether through remote work, rapid digitalization or pressure to adapt to the “new normal” of work, lawyers and law firm staff have had to adjust to a rapidly changing practice of law.

The Law Society Benchers have approved newly modernized rules for trust accounting, starting January 2022. Please join us for a webinar, where we will present the major thematic changes to the rules, highlight some of the key areas where the rules are modernized and discuss next steps.

Trust Safety Rule Changes Webinar
Jan. 20, 2022
Noon – 1 p.m.

Register now.

In ES v. Shillington, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench recently recognized the new tort of public disclosure of private facts. This is the latest in a series of emerging invasion of privacy torts in Canada, including the new torts of internet harassment and “publicity placing person in false light.” This timely program features exceptional faculty who will get you up to speed on this rapidly developing area of law, and its implications for Alberta advocates.

Internet harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of intimate images without consent can have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, minors and other vulnerable members of society are often victimized online. As the law evolves in response to ever-changing forms of online misconduct, it is important for advocates to keep pace with what rights and remedies are available to victims.

Whether you maintain a tort, privacy, personal injury or class actions practise, or you want to stay informed about these new torts as a concerned member of the profession and society at large, this is one program you will not want to miss.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021

Time: Noon – 1 p.m. (MT)

You Will Learn:

• The latest updates on cases and legislation addressing online misconduct
• Practical considerations for bringing and defending new internet torts
• Common evidentiary issues with internet-based cases
• The implications of new invasion of privacy torts for class actions

Can’t join live for this lunch-and-learn? Not to worry, your registration includes access to the archive recording for 30 days following the program. Register here.

Nov. 16, 2021 from 10 to 11 a.m. MT

When you are expected to work faster and improve service levels with fewer people and a lower budget, adopting emerging technologies is absolutely essential. New technologies can help you boost your productivity and lessen expenses while reducing risk in your practice. And with the world becoming increasingly digital, it is more crucial than ever for you to understand the latest legal technology trends. Join expert technologists, lawyers and legal professionals to discover what you need to know about the most important current legal technologies, including:

• Integrating technology with human service to deliver the most comfortable experience for clients
• What work is better performed by good technology? Automating basic administrative tasks, client service and billing
• Making the distributed workforce model work effortlessly: Enhancing mobility and virtual meetings
• AI for legal tasks: What are the most effective tools for research, contract drafting and due diligence?
• Virtual reality and other tech tools for litigation, document review, collaboration, jury screening and training
• Capturing data and building reports to help you measure the effectiveness of your work

Speakers: 
Monica Goyal, CEO & Partner, Monica N. Goyal LPC
Hersh Perlis, Director, Legal Innovation Zone
Len Polsky, Manager, Legal Technology and Mentorship, Law Society of Alberta
Natalie Munroe , Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Moderator: 
Carla Swansburg, Chief Executive Officer of Cleary X

When: Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Moderator: Bianca Kratt (CBA Alberta President)

Speaker: Frank Friesacher (Chair, CBA Alberta Agenda for Justice & Advocacy Committee)

In early 2020, the CBA Alberta undertook public opinion and economic research about the desire for and value of increased investment in our justice system and the results are now in.

Albertans tell us that they support investment in the justice system, especially when it impacts them and their families. The economic research demonstrates that increased investment in the justice system provides significant direct and indirect return on investment through the reducation in self-represented litigants. A modest additional investment in legal aid would pay for itself and return a net cash benefit that could be re-invested elsehwere in the justice system.

Join CBA Alberta Agenda for Justice and Advocacy Committee Chair and past president (2018-19) Frank Friesacher as he breaks down the results of this study and what it means for improving access to justice in Alberta.

When: Nov. 5, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Online or In-person

A one-day workshop for parents in high conflict situations and the professionals who work with them. The presenter, Bill Eddy LCSW ESQ, is internationally recognized for his work through the High Conflict Institute in California.

The event is being sponsored by Resolve Legal Group, Divorce Magazine Canada and the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. 100 per cent of net proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Counselling Center and Sagesse.

The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is offering training on the dynamics of domestic violence in the context of separation, divorce, and child custody and access.

This training qualifies for:

• 15 hours for Continuing Professional Development credits (4.5 hours of Ethics credits) with the Law Society of Saskatchewan
• 32 ADRIC Continuing Education & Engagement (CEE) points with the ADR Institute of Saskatchewan
• 15 hours for Continuing Professional Development credits with Law Society of British Columbia
• 15 hours for Continuing Professional Development credits with Law Society of Northwest Territories
• Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon lawyers: consider including this course as a CPD learning activity in your annual Continuing Professional Development Plan

The training takes place over four mornings between Nov. 22 and Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to noon MST. The cost of the program is $350.

Register here.

Animal abuse often occurs before or alongside the abuse of people. This is known as the “violence link.” In a social system that is over taxed and underfunded, the sector marginalizes animal welfare, even though evidence shows there is greater benefit in acting holistically, thereby providing better support for victims and reducing the vulnerability of animals and people. The Canadian Violence Link Conference is an innovative, ground-breaking event that examines the link between interpersonal abuse and animal abuse, looking at the vulnerabilities in both populations and how they intersect. This biennial conference brings together criminal justice system stakeholders that work to prevent and address violence against people or animals for cross-sectoral training on how to collaborate and stop the cycle of violence.

The Canadian Violence Link Conference is an opportunity for stakeholders whose work intersects with the Violence Link to gather, learn and network. This event runs from Nov. 4 – 5, 2021.  

You will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Violence Link and learn about the latest trends and intervention strategies designed to end the cycle of violence. This two-day conference will feature interactive, engaging sessions where you can network with professionals in your region, learn how to break down silos and build important relationships that will assist you in your day to day work.

Register here.

This one-day online conference, held annually since 2015, provides networking and professional development opportunities for Crown prosecutors, attorneys and allied professionals across Canada. The goal of the conference is to facilitate the sharing of information and resources about animal abuse and the violence link in order to ensure that crimes against animals are prosecuted effectively and efficiently.

This year, Humane Canada™ will be hosting the 2021 conference online on Nov. 6, 2021 from noon to 8 p.m. MST. 

The Prosecution of Animal Abuse Conference is a professional event for:

• Crown prosecutors/attorneys
• Allied professionals working in any field involved in prosecuting crimes against animals. These could be: animal enforcement and animal protection officers, the police, SPCAs and humane societies, law and policymakers, academics and other members of the prosecutorial community.
• Students who are currently articling in Crown/Prosecution offices.

At this conference, you will have the opportunity to:

• Interact with professionals in your region, from across Canada and internationally
• Attend live, interactive and pre-recorded sessions
• Access session recordings for three months following the event
• Connect with attendees through the event platform via text or video chat
• Hear the latest news related to violence link from leading experts
• Participate in networking activities and play to win challenges

Prosecutors and students who are currently articling in Crown/Prosecution offices qualify for free registration (limited amount, first come, first served). Allied professionals, such as lawyers, can register for $95.

Visit the Humane Canada™ website for more information about the conference and register for the event here.

On October 1, 2021, the Benchers approved the creation of an Innovation Sandbox at the Law Society of Alberta. The Innovation Sandbox allows the Law Society to support innovators in testing new ideas and models for the delivery of legal services in a controlled environment, with the Law Society providing both guidance and oversight. Come find out more about this exciting new development from Len Polsky, Manager of Legal Technology and Mentorship at the Law Society of Alberta.

Date: November 25, 2021

Time: Noon to 1 p.m., MT

Digital Law Tea Time Talks are a chance for law and tech geeks to learn about topics at the intersection of those fields. A short presentation on a work in progress, recent article or experience will be followed by open Q&A. The 12-1 p.m. time block includes a “digital commute” allowing everyone to sign in and get settled. The actual presentation and discussion will go from 12:10-12:50 MT.

There is no need to register for this event. Simply join the Zoom meeting on the date and time of the presentation.

This event is hosted by the Digital Law & Innovation Society. Find out more about them on their website.