For a printable copy of the agenda please click here.
Friday, May 2, 2025
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm - CACE Sponsored Networking Event – Salon Royal
Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00 am – 1:00 pm - Registration – Beethovan Foyer
11:50 am – 12:50 pm - Attendee Networking Lunch – Chopin Room
15 Minute Q&A with 2024 Bursary Winner
Hannah Walline & Bursary Chair, Ian Pickard, McInnes Cooper
12:55 – 1:05 pm - Welcome Remarks – Co-Chairs – Beethovan Room
Speakers: Jill Wilkie, Miller Thomson & Paul McLean, Mathews, Disdale & Clark LLP
1:05 – 2:05 pm - Rights are Human, Complaints are Messy: Human Rights and Frustrated Employers – Beethovan Room
As damages awards increase and lengthy protracted proceedings continue to be the norm, this panel will provide their overview of the most recent trends in defending our clients against human rights complaints, with quick hits and best practices for getting claims resolved, dismissed, withdrawn or stopped in their tracks before they are even submitted.
Speakers: Caroline Richard, Bird Richard & Calen Nixon, McDougall Gauley LLP
2:05 – 3:05 pm - Confidence in the Courtroom - Crafting a Convincing Case – From Opening to Closing – Beethovan Room
Using a fact pattern, panelists will offer advocacy tips and strategic advice in using evidence from cross-examinations in closing argument. The panelists will breakdown the key techniques required for an effective cross:
Preparation and control
Strategic questions
Adaptability
Impeachment techniques
The panelists will review opening and closing argument skills:
Storytelling
Theory of the case
Organization and clarity
Addressing weaknesses
The ask
Speakers: George Avraam, Baker & McKenzie LLP & Murray Murphy, Stewart McKelvey
3:05 – 3:30 pm - Networking Break – Beethovan Foyer
3:30 – 4:30 pm - Corporate Counsel Confessions: What In-House Counsel Wish You Would Do – Beethovan Room
In-house counsel will tell us what qualities and actions they look for in their external counsel and what practical steps external counsel can take to keep the relationship alive and well, providing tips on:
Relationship building
Things to avoid
Things to focus on
Billing practices
Reporting
Client appreciation
Value add items
Speakers: Matthew Carroll, Royal Bank of Canada & Erin Ludwig, Alberta Health Services
6:00 – 6:20 pm - Busses Leave from Front Enterance of Hotel
6:30 – 9:00 pm - Mentoring Reception & Dinner – Camp Fortune
Mentors:
Kecia Podetz, Emond Harnden LLP
Vicki Giles, McLennan Ross LLP
Nicole Skuggedal, Lawson Lundell LLP
Matthew Carroll, Royal Bank of Canada
Erin Ludwig, Alberta Health Services
George Avraam, Baker & McKenzie
Rebecca Saturley, Stewart McKelvey
Christopher Deehy, Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon, LLP
Jill Wilkie, Miller Thompson LLP
Paul McLean, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Neena Gupta, Gowling WLG
Ian Pickard, McInnes Cooper
9:00 - 9:15 pm - Busses Leave Back to Hilton Lac-Leamy
Sunday, May 4, 2025
9:00 – 9:45 am - Buffet Breakfast – Chompin Room
9:45 – 10:45 am - Labour Law Panel: More Than Pizza and Pep Talks - Union Avoidance Strategies that Work – Beethovan Room
Learn how to effectively, and legally, assist your client (with practical step by step advice) in thwarting a union certification drive, including:
Template for management of speaking notes
Template Q&As to provide to management
Sample draft communications to employees
Speakers: Rebecca Saturley, Stewart McKelvey & Christopher Deehy, Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon, L.L.P.
10:45 – 11:45 am - Employment Law Panel: Enough Is (Maybe) Enough: Just Cause - does it exist? – Beethovan Room
What does it take for a matter to rise to the level of just cause? The panel will cover the weird and wonderful world of misconduct at work, exploring where cause exists and where it does not, including proactive advice to provide to our clients when they are investigating alleged misconduct in the workplace.
Speakers: Jill Wilkie, Miller Thomson & Paul McLean, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
11:45 am – 12:05 pm - Networking Break – Beethovan Foyer
12:05 – 1:05 pm - Witnesses Who Know More Than You: Strategies for Success with Expert Witnesses – Beethovan Room
What experts do labour and employment lawyers come across in disputes? When is it appropriate to use an expert? How can an expert be used?
Using a fake expert’s report, panel members will:
Demonstrate the steps of qualifying an expert
Demonstrate cross examination of an expert
Speakers: Neena Gupta, Gowling WLG & Ian Pickard, McInnes Cooper
1:05 pm - Closing Remarks – Beethovan Room
Speaker: 2024-2025 CACE President, Kecia Podetz
