Seminar Partners Archive

Thursday, December 10, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-12-10 12:00:00 2020-12-10 13:30:00 America/Toronto Skills & Strategies for Representing Your Client at Mediation Seminar Partners Program - Skills & Strategies for Representing Your Client at Mediation hosted by Mitchell Rose Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Most lawyers will, at some point, be required to represent a client at mediation. Do you have the skills and strategies to optimize the outcome for your client? This convenient, highly practical program will give you essential tools and techniques to competently and effectively represent your client at each stage of the mediation process. You’ll get an inside perspective from Chartered Mediator and experienced litigator Mitchell Rose about how to make the most of every opportunity, including how to write a persuasive brief, how to master “joint” sessions, how to get more value from your mediator, and how to anticipate and respond to ethical dilemmas. By the end of the webinar you’ll have a better understanding of what it takes to achieve a positive resolution at mediation. Topics include...Read More

Thursday, December 3, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-12-03 12:00:00 2020-12-03 13:30:00 America/Toronto Managing Conflicts of Interest in Trust and Estate Planning Seminar Partners Program - Managing Conflicts of Interest in Trust and Estate Planning hosted by Richard Niedermayer, TEP Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Trusts and estates lawyers face a myriad of legal and ethical issues that can create the potential for conflicts of interest - and professional liability. Such situations are rarely the result of bad lawyers or intentionally bad acts - instead good lawyers don’t always communicate clearly enough or document enough, or don’t see the potential for conflict of interest a situation may present. This new, 90 minute webinar will focus on several key areas where conflicts of interest frequently arise in the trust and estate planning context, including: lawyers representing spouses or multiple generations of the same family, lawyers acting in a fiduciary role for a client, and lawyers acting as a witness to a will or a trust. Experienced trusts and estates practitioner Richard Niedermayer, TEP will use real cases, hypothetical fact scenarios and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s Model Code of Professional Conduct to discuss how these scenarios create potential conflicts of interest, and share practical strategies to help protect you and your clients...Read More

Thursday, November 26, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-11-26 12:00:00 2020-11-26 13:30:00 America/Toronto Bankruptcy Basics for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers Seminar Partners Program - Bankruptcy Basics for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers hosted by Lou Brzezinski & Natasha Rambaran Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

The coronavirus pandemic has left many businesses and individuals unable to meet their financial obligations. As government support measures start to end and creditors resume collections, many lawyers will find themselves dealing with clients seeking bankruptcy or restructuring advice. Do you have a basic understanding of insolvency laws to answer the questions “what are my options?” and “how will my decision impact me or my business in the future?” This 90 minute primer led by noted bankruptcy and insolvency lawyer Lou Brzezinski and his colleague Natasha Rambaran will address the fundamentals of Canadian insolvency laws as they presently stand, how the relationships between creditors and debtors have changed during the pandemic, and new and different approaches to work out debt issues. By the end of the program you will...Read More

Thursday, November 19, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-11-19 12:00:00 2020-11-19 13:30:00 America/Toronto Time Management for Lawyers Part 2: How to be Productive Throughout the Day Seminar Partners Program - Time Management for Lawyers Part 2: How to be Productive Throughout the Day hosted by Meg Spencer Dixon Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Too much to do and not enough time to do it? Good organization and time management skills are crucial elements of a successful and satisfying legal career, and also critical skills required to meet important ethical and professional obligations. If your typical work day consists of jumping from one “almost overdue” project to another, then it’s time to learn some proven time management techniques. Designed to address lawyers’ unique organizational and time challenges, this fun, 90 minute webinar with lawyer and leading legal productivity expert Meg Spencer Dixon will offer dozens of practical tips and techniques to help you...Read More

Thursday, November 12, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-11-12 12:00:00 2020-11-12 13:30:00 America/Toronto The Ten Evidence "Rules" Every Family Law Lawyer Needs to Know Seminar Partners Program - The Ten Evidence "Rules" Every Family Law Lawyer Needs to Know hosted by Prof. Rollie Thompson, Q.C. Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Yes, there are evidence “rules” that have real application in family law cases! There are also fundamental purposes that evidence law must serve in family law cases, including the need for accuracy, efficiency and fairness; reducing conflict; maintaining and encouraging family relationships; and, ensuring the best interest of the child. Knowing the rules and the principles they serve can make an important difference in your ability to anticipate the rulings you will require and as a result, the decisions you make about preparing your evidence and your witnesses. In this convenient, highly practical program, noted Law Professor Rollie Thompson, Q.C. breaks down some of the evidentiary issues that most frequently arise in family law cases. Professor Thompson provides a summary of the rule, the relevant legal authorities, and helpful procedural tips. In just 90 minutes you’ll gain fresh insights and new strategies for managing important family law evidentiary issues such as...Read More

Thursday, November 5, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-11-05 12:00:00 2020-11-05 13:30:00 America/Toronto Intersections in Estate Planning & Family Law Seminar Partners Program - Intersections in Estate Planning & Family Law hosted by Lisa Laredo Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

It can be easy in estate planning to overlook important considerations in unfamiliar practice areas, including family law. However, if wills and other estate planning documents aren’t drafted with family law factors in mind, trustees and beneficiaries may find themselves facing additional legal headaches down the road. This program explores six basic family law considerations every lawyer should be aware of when providing estate planning advice to clients who are married or who have children. Experienced estates lawyer Lisa Laredo will offer real-world guidance on best practices to help your clients achieve their estate planning goals and help you avoid malpractice claims. Along the way she’ll dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding death, marriage and inheritance...Read More

Thursday, October 29, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-10-29 12:00:00 2020-10-29 13:30:00 America/Toronto Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations Seminar Partners Program - Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations hosted by Naomi Calla Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Whether in response to an employee complaint or allegation, to improve employee relations, or to reduce potential exposure, most employers, will, at some point, need to conduct a workplace investigation. Knowing how to handle and analyze an investigation efficiently and effectively is critical to giving an employer the factual findings on which it may take appropriate action and addressing employee concerns. This nuts and bolts webinar will cover the basics for lawyers who are conducting workplace investigations for clients, or are counsel to an employer or otherwise assisting an employer with an internal or external investigation. Experienced employment lawyer Naomi Calla will discuss key decision points and considerations in the investigation process, as well as recent developments and advice for conducting investigations remotely as a result of COVID-19. Topics include...Read More

Thursday, October 15, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-10-15 12:00:00 2020-10-15 13:30:00 America/Toronto Lawyers and the Media: How to Build Successful Relationships Seminar Partners Program - Lawyers and the Media: How to Build Successful Relationships hosted by Tamara Cherry Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Think you’ll never have a case that attracts media attention? Think again! Interest by modern media publishers in legal matters extends far beyond criminal and regulatory prosecutions. Today’s lawyers are contacted by reporters about workplace investigations, unusual family and estates litigation, consumer complaints, real estate and zoning matters, landlord and tenant disputes, and more. However, since dealing with the media is not something normally taught in law school, many lawyers resist interacting with the press and overlook the benefits of positive media relations, including ensuring your client receives fair treatment in the court of public opinion, building your practice, and showing your expertise. In this timely and highly practical program, award-winning former journalist Tamara Cherry will discuss the necessity, benefits and practicalities of working successfully with today’s media. You will learn...Read More

Tuesday, June 30, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-06-30 12:00:00 2020-06-30 13:30:00 America/Toronto A Guide to Preparing for Civil Trials Seminar Partners Program - A Guide to Preparing for Civil Trials hosted by Michael Lesage Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Pretrial is over and your case didn’t settle. Now what? Most everything we do as lawyers can be reduced to a series of steps that not only help us achieve our goals, but also avoid oversights along the way. This exciting new short course will provide an overview of key tasks for counsel to perform when preparing for trial. Experienced litigator Michael Lesage will walk you through the process of gathering, revisiting, and assembling your evidence for presentation to a judge or jury. You’ll gain concise statements of law and important practice pointers to help you...Read More

Thursday, June 11, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-06-11 12:00:00 2020-06-11 13:30:00 America/Toronto Avoiding & Managing Sibling Conflicts in Estate Matters Seminar Partners Program - Avoiding & Managing Sibling Conflicts in Estate Matters hosted by Charles Ticker Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

The death of a parent – in particular the last parent – is a difficult time that can reopen old wounds and exacerbate long-standing rivalries between siblings. Despite a parent’s best intentions, feelings of unfairness, poor communication, and ambiguities in estate documents can lead to costly, emotional, and very public litigation. Fortunately, many of these disputes can be anticipated and even avoided. In this entertaining presentation, veteran estate mediator and litigator Charles Ticker offers fresh insights on how and why these disputes happen, and shares straight-forward planning, drafting and estate administration advice to avoid conflicts, and manage them when they arise. Drawing on a blend of psychological research and real-life cases from his own practice, as well as noted celebrity estates, Charles shares common scenarios all estate practitioners will recognize, and best practices to...Read More

Thursday, May 28, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-05-28 12:00:00 2020-05-28 13:30:00 America/Toronto Practicing Family Law in a Pandemic: FAQ Seminar Partners Program - Practicing Family Law in a Pandemic: FAQ hosted by Leisha Murphy & Alex Boland Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

COVID-19 is creating a tsunami of family law issues. Physical distancing, school closures, health concerns, and lost income are raising questions for previously separated families, now confused about how to navigate access, parenting and support arrangements. Already troubled families, suddenly forced into close quarters and socially isolated, are struggling to avoid new sources of conflict and reporting increases of family violence. And suddenly fragile marriages, unable to survive the strains of the pandemic, are headed towards divorce, with a view to optimal valuation dates. With access to courts restricted, in-person meetings eliminated, and privacy in short supply, family law lawyers are facing a host of novel challenges. This new, 90 minute webinar with experienced family law lawyers Leisha Murphy and Alex Boland will address some of the most FAQ about the impact of COVID-19 on family law, best practices for helping clients move forward in this uncertain time, and what the future may hold for family law, once life is “back to normal”. Topics include:...Read More

Tuesday, May 26, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-05-26 12:00:00 2020-05-26 13:30:00 America/Toronto Key Elements of Rent Relief Agreements in Commercial Leases Seminar Partners Program - Key Elements of Rent Relief Agreements in Commercial Leases hosted by Devin Itterman and Alixandra Stoicheff Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Commercial leasing has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. As another month’s rent becomes due, landlords are seeing a massive surge in new requests from tenants for rent relief. But rent concessions require a delicate balance of providing meaningful assistance to the tenant so they can survive short-term financial difficulties, while still allowing the landlord to meet a myriad of its own ongoing obligations. This timely, highly practical presentation addresses negotiating a rent relief agreement in a commercial tenancy, from both the landlord and tenant perspectives. Commercial lawyers Devin Itterman and Alixandra Stoicheff explore key considerations when negotiating rent relief, options for structuring concessions, and practical tips for preserving the landlord and tenant relationship. By the end of the program you’ll better understand general principles relating to defaults in commercial leases, and have new tools, including sample clauses, for negotiating rent relief. Topics include:...Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-05-14 12:00:00 2020-05-14 13:30:00 America/Toronto Working Remotely During COVID-19: Cybersecurity & Ethical Considerations Seminar Partners Program - Working Remotely During COVID-19: Cybersecurity & Ethical Considerations hosted by Paul Unger Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

While some lawyers have always dreamed of working remotely, others never wanted it, and aren’t prepared for the responsibility. Almost overnight, many in the profession started using home PCs, on home networks, and saving client documents on those computers, and even on personal cloud storage. Is that data safe from cybersecurity threats? Do you have the tools to protect clients’ confidential information, as required? In this timely and highly practical webinar, lawyer and legal technology expert Paul Unger discusses the ethical and malpractice pitfalls of working remotely, and how to address them. You’ll learn about full disk encryption, email encryption, home wireless router...Read More

Tuesday, April 28, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-04-28 12:00:00 2020-04-28 13:30:00 America/Toronto COVID-19, Contractual Obligations & Force Majeure Seminar Partners Program - COVID-19, Contractual Obligations & Force Majeure hosted by Heather Devine Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Canada is facing an unprecedented economic slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As borders close, businesses shutter, and supply chains are disrupted, many lawyers are fielding daily, sometimes hourly, calls from anxious clients unable to fulfil their contractual obligations. From commercial leases to manufacturing targets to service agreements, businesses and individuals are all asking the same questions. Can I rely on the Force Majeure provision in my contract to excuse performance? What if my contract doesn’t have a Force Majeure clause? In this timely, highly practical webinar, experienced commercial litigator Heather Devine explains...Read More

Thursday, April 23, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-04-23 12:00:00 2020-04-23 13:30:00 America/Toronto COVID-19: Evolving Issues for Employers & Employees Seminar Partners Program - COVID-19: Evolving Issues for Employers & Employees hosted by David Whitten Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

The disruption to workplaces resulting from COVID-19 has been profound. Employment law specialists and general practitioners alike are inundated with questions about how to continue business operations, while protecting employees and limiting the spread of the virus. Travel bans, mandated closures, self-isolation and new government programs are creating novel territory for both employers and employees. This timely, highly practical webinar with experienced employment law lawyer David Whitten will explore...Read More

Thursday, April 16, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-04-16 12:00:00 2020-04-16 13:30:00 America/Toronto Remote Execution of Wills During COVID-19: A Cross-Canada Update Seminar Partners Program - Remote Execution of Wills During COVID-19: A Cross-Canada Update hosted by Lynne Butler Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

The extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19 have left many lawyers struggling to figure out how to get clients’ wills executed, where the physical requirement for witnessing cannot be met. This timely, highly practical program featuring experienced estates lawyer Lynne Butler provides a review of the requirements for valid execution of wills across Canada, and the issues arising from current social distancing and quarantine measures, and how they might be addressed. Among other topics, Lynne will discuss...Read More

Thursday, April 9, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-04-09 12:00:00 2020-04-09 13:30:00 America/Toronto Liquor Liability Law 101 Seminar Partners Program - Liquor Liability Law 101 hosted by Morgan Martin & Chet Wydrzynski Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Alcohol opens the door to a wide range of legal liability issues. From bars whose primary business is serving alcohol to private clubs and event venues that obtain special occasion alcohol permits, high exposure for liquor liability is the cost of commercial enterprise. But what about the neighbour hosting a BBQ or an employer’s work party? Does the law hold social hosts to the same standard of responsibility as it does with commercial hosts? What circumstances increase or reduce liability? This program is designed to educate lawyers about the fundamentals of liquor liability law in Canada. Experienced personal injury lawyers Morgan Martin and Chet Wydrzynski will use recent cases and hypothetical fact scenarios to discuss the broad range of circumstances under which liquor liability can arise, and steps all hosts can take to protect themselves, their guests and third parties. You will learn...Read More

Tuesday, April 7, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-04-07 12:00:00 2020-04-07 13:30:00 America/Toronto Time Management for Lawyers Working from Home Seminar Partners Program - Time Management for Lawyers Working from Home hosted by Meg Spencer Dixon Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

As society struggles to reduce the spread of COVID-19, working from home has become the new normal for lawyers, paralegals, and other legal staff. And it only takes about a week to realize that working from home occasionally is not the same as continuing our practices from home now. Why? Because the framework, structure, and people in our offices were still in place when we used to work from home occasionally - only we were missing. Working from home under today’s extraordinary and extraordinarily stressful circumstances is fundamentally different. Figuring out the most important things to do as we reinvent our lives and our legal practices - and actually getting the most important things done to the best of our ability in these circumstances - is more essential than ever. Join lawyer and time management expert Meg Spencer Dixon...Read More

Tuesday, March 24, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-03-24 12:00:00 2020-03-24 13:30:00 America/Toronto Drafting Powers of Attorney to Avoid Litigation Seminar Partners Program - Drafting Powers of Attorney to Avoid Litigation hosted by Lisa Feldstein Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Have you ever found yourself going to a standard form Power of Attorney, after carefully constructing a customized will? You’re not alone! Many lawyers approach Powers of Attorney as an afterthought or “add-on” to the will drafting process. But so called “standard” Powers of Attorney fail to account for a wide variety of issues that can jeopardize your client’s wishes and leave them and their assets vulnerable. In this exciting new program, Family Health Law lawyer Lisa Feldstein will discuss ten things lawyers who draft Powers of Attorney should consider to avoid future problems and litigation. Using real-world examples, Lisa will walk you through a number of “unexpected” consent, end of life, privacy, and reproductive rights issues not addressed in most Powers of Attorney...Read More

Thursday, February 27, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-02-27 12:00:00 2020-02-27 13:30:00 America/Toronto Time Management for Lawyers Part 1: Getting & Staying Organized Seminar Partners Program - Time Management for Lawyers Part 1: Getting & Staying Organized hosted by Meg Spencer Dixon Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Of all the elements you have to work with, none is more precious than time. Designed to address lawyers’ unique organizational and time challenges, and ethical obligations to be competent, prompt and diligent, this solution-oriented program offers practical strategies for better managing time, projects, paper, and people - especially yourself! Lawyer and legal productivity expert Meg Spencer Dixon will share best practices for keeping up with email, creating and using a simple task management system, how to concentrate on “deep work” while still responding promptly to colleagues and clients, and how to maintain good organization habits. Within the context of a busy legal practice, you will learn how to...Read More

Thursday, February 20, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-02-20 12:00:00 2020-02-20 13:30:00 America/Toronto Consent, Capacity & Health Care Planning for the Elderly Client Seminar Partners Program - Consent, Capacity & Health Care Planning for the Elderly Client hosted by Jennifer Foster Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

As our population continues to age, more lawyers are entering the field of elder law or expanding their practice to provide elder law services. Understanding the unique and complex aspects of planning for the elderly can be time-consuming and confusing for practitioners new to this growing area. This program is designed to help all lawyers, whether fresh from law school or a seasoned practitioner in another field, to increase their understanding of specific issues and tools involved in health care planning for elderly clients. Experienced estates and elder law lawyer Jennifer Foster will address essential health care and capacity issues in the context of the elderly patient. You’ll get answers to questions like...Read More

Tuesday, February 4, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-02-04 12:00:00 2020-02-04 13:30:00 America/Toronto Strategic Questioning: Asking the Right Question, in the Right Way, at the Right Time Seminar Partners Program - Strategic Questioning: Asking the Right Question, in the Right Way, at the Right Time hosted by Nina Meierding Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Skilled lawyers know that asking questions is not simply about getting substantive factual or legal information. Questions can also manage expectations, validate, reality test, transfer or maintain power, remove reactive devaluation, and ultimately affect outcomes in both negotiation and litigation. Take your questioning skills to the next level in this exciting new webinar with lawyer, professor and internationally acclaimed conflict resolution expert Nina Meierding. Nina will explore a variety of questions that lawyers use every day - in interviews, in negotiations and mediations, and in discovery and at trial. You’ll learn about macro and micro questions, manageable and unmanageable questions, and types of questions and when to use them, including open-ended and close-ended, elaborating, clarifying, hypothetical, leading, confronting, and confirming questions. By the end of the program...Read More

Thursday, January 23, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Eastern) 2020-01-23 12:00:00 2020-01-23 13:30:00 America/Toronto 10 Mistakes Experienced Contract Drafters Usually Make Seminar Partners Program - 10 Mistakes Experienced Contract Drafters Usually Make hosted by Lenne’ Espenschied Live Video Webcast at SeminarPartners.ca

Are you making some of the most common mistakes in drafting contracts? This new, 90 minute webinar explains ten stylistic and substantive drafting errors commonly found in all kinds of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, real estate contracts, contracts for the sale of goods and services, settlement agreements, licenses, partnership agreements, and employment and consulting agreements. Lawyer, author, and contract drafting instructor Leneé Espenschied will use real-world before and after examples of typical drafting missteps, including ambiguous terms, grammatical errors, and weak sentence construction to reveal how simple mistakes can damage your credibility and leave your client exposed. You’ll walk away...Read More