The world is changing and our clients expect lawyers to keep up with the change. Learn about the emerging technology of our clients' businesses from drones to autonomous vehicles to cyber security, just to name a few from one of Canada’s pioneer lawyers in the area. In breakout sessions following the plenary, go deeper to discuss how you can use technology in your workplace such as real estate workflow systems, artificial intelligence adaptations and knowledge management.

Designed for the tech-savvy lawyer, in this session you’ll capitalize on what you already know and learn more about tech tools for your practice.

What knowledge management systems are you using? Learn how to leverage your intellectual capital, increase productivity and achieve cost efficiencies. Kate R. Simpson and Andrea Alliston share their latest on useful, usable tools that benefit both lawyers and clients.

Join Amanda Magee of Stewart Title to review how technology has influenced the real estate transaction in recent years, look at tech tools and programs you can use to be more efficient and protected, and examine the paperless transaction. With examples and information from both BC and Alberta, you won’t want to miss this session!

Are you considering tendering expert opinion evidence in a criminal trial? Who should you retain? Expert evidence plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system. Experts offering opinion evidence to the court must be fair, objective and non-partisan. In alignment with our conference theme of respect, this session will examine the role of the expert in the criminal trial process and the gate-keeping function of the court as expressed in the SCC’s decision in White Burgess Langille Inman v. Abbot and Haliburton Co. 2015 SCC 23. Leading criminal law practitioners, BC Crown Counsel Geoff Baragar, QC and Criminal Defence Lawyer Richard Fowler, QC present.

The SCC’s decision in Saadati v. Moorhead 2017 SCC 28 makes it clear that injury to mental health may be recognized (and damages awarded) without the need to adduce evidence of a recognized psychiatric illness proven through expert opinion evidence. What does this mean for plaintiffs in personal injury cases, those seeking aggravated damages in employment cases or any other litigant seeking to prove injury to their mental health? At what point is expert evidence required? Join Claire Hunter, QC of Hunter Litigation Chambers and David Wallin of Whitelaw Twining LLP to review the answers to these questions.

Matia Matkovic, of Matkovic Allan Family Law, presents a practical guide to why and when Expert Opinion Evidence is needed on a family law file. She will explain which situations do not require Expert Evidence, despite appearances to the contrary. Ms. Matkovic will address how to determine the type of expert required, how that expert will help your client’s case and how to prepare clients for interactions with an expert retained on their file.

She will also discuss the role of a court-appointed expert and when it is appropriate to jointly retain such an expert. In addition, Ms. Matkovic will address how to respond to an unfavourable report from a court-appointed expert and when and why it is appropriate to hire litigation support to deal with certain types of expert evidence.

Representations represent an allocation of risk among the parties to agreements. This session reviewing different types of representations and their applicable standard of review, materiality, merger, and alternative risk management techniques will help legal representatives craft their representations.

BC and Alberta’s interests in resource development may converge and conflict, but what should resource development look like to be sustainable? From the carbon tax to LNG v. oil sands development, to species at risk, Professor Cameron Jefferies will guide your resource buffet choices.