This fundamentals program will prove invaluable for labour lawyers in their first few years of practice. Hear from experienced management and union-side practitioners who will update you in the latest developments in the case law and will provide practical insight and tips into managing your labour law practice and developing your labour law skills.

Focus:  Designed for labour lawyers in their fi rst few years of practice, this program will update you on the latest case law developments and will provide practical insight and tips on managing your labour law practice and developing your labour law skills.

Highlights:
• Hot issues and recent legislative developments
• Effective and efficient advocacy through drafting
• Effective and efficient preparation for labour proceedings
• Round table with the Pros

9:00 am Introductory Remarks

9:05 am Legislative Developments
• Hot issues and recent developments in legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Pension Benefi ts Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Human Rights Act
Stephen F. Chedas, Watson Jacobs McCreary LLP
Keith P. Burkhardt, Sherrard Kuzz LLP

9:25 am Advocating and Drafting on the Fly
• How to handle providing and/or creating documents in the middle of your proceedings
• How to draft the key documents you will use in your labour practice, including demand letters, grievance settlements, collective agreements, mediation briefs, board forms, memoranda of agreements, minutes of settlement and last chance agreements
Sean McFarling, Gibson & Barnes LLP
David L.W. Francis, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Efficient and Effective Preparation for Labour Proceedings
• Preparing your legal argument - accessing key resources used by the time-savvy labour lawyer and an update on electronic resources for the labour lawyer
• Interviewing, preparing and examining witnesses
• Perfecting your oral argument
Farah Baloo, CAW-Canada
Ben Ratelband, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

11:30 am Round Table with the Pros
• What are the biggest landmines for a lawyer when your client announces a certifi cation, union drive or decertifi cation?
• Why the rise in jurisdictional disputes and what is essential for us to know?
• What specifi c critical issues have emerged for our clients and for labour lawyer because of the current economic crisis?
• What is the one key thing every junior labour lawyer must know to succeed in the practice?
Craig A. Flood, Koskie Minsky LLP
Donald K. Eady, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
William R. Watson, Baker & McKenzie LLP
Sonia Regenbogen, Heenan Blaikie LLP

1:00 pm Program Concludes