Event Type: External Event

Tricks of the Trade

Presented by The Advocates’ Society

For over three decades, Tricks of the Trade has been the leading annual conference for the Ontario personal injury bar, addressing current challenges for both plaintiff and defence counsel. Esteemed faculty from the Bench and Bar will provide key updates on recent decisions, timely advocacy tips, and the latest guidance on practice and procedure for personal injury litigators.

You will also have the chance to connect with personal injury colleagues over breakfast, coffee, lunch and your beverage of choice at the post-program reception!

Topics Include:

  • An examination of damages assessment using realistic scenarios
  • Demonstration and commentary: dis/qualifying expert witnesses
  • Best practices relating to waivers and sports liability
  • The law relating to eScooters and eBikes
  • Practical implications of the proposed changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure
  • Top tips for civil sexual assault cases
  • The latest updates on tort law, accident benefits, AI and legal tech, and much more!

Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program.

Pallett Valo Speaker

Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Program Co-Chair and Moderator

Location

Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Toronto ON

Program Price

TAS Members: $719* | Junior Members: $649* | Outside GTA Members: $649* | Non-Members: $869*
*plus applicable tax

CBA Construction and Infrastructure Law Conference

Presented by the CBA Construction and Infrastructure Law Section

The CBA Construction & Infrastructure Law Conference will be taking center stage in Canada’s Capital: Ottawa. The organizers aim to bring together the top legal minds in the construction industry for insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities, not to mention visiting the Supreme Court of Canada, touring the jobsite at the Parliament Buildings, enjoying the facilities at the Hilton at Lac Leamy, and dining by the Rideau Canal.

This conference is the perfect chance for legal professionals who practice construction law, as well as individuals and organizations in related fields, to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable MADE IN CANADA – FOR CANADIANS experience – save the date and get ready to be part of something truly extraordinary!

view agenda

Pallett Valo Speaker

Catherine DiMarco, Partner

Location

Gatineau, QC

Accreditation

6.42h of Substantive content

Program Price

CBA Member: $890* | CBA Student Member: $450* | Non-Member: $1100* | CBA Young Lawyer Member $840*
*plus applicable tax

Practice Gems: Probate Essentials 2025

Law Society of Ontario

Small mistakes can lead to your probate application being rejected. Are you certain you are aware of the pitfalls that can trip you up? Our expert panels provide you with practical strategies and invaluable precedents to help you cover each critical element and navigate any difficult (or novel) issues you may encounter when prepping probate applications.

  • Learn how to search for wills and prove signatures
  • Get tips on finding beneficiaries and dealing with service issues
  • Understand how the new separated spouses rule applies
  • Consider difficult probate issues: handwritten amendments, partial intestacies, failed gifts, etc.

Pallett Valo Co-Chair

Craig Ross, Partner

Location

Online

Accreditation

This program contains 2 h 30 m substantive hours and 30 m professionalism hour(s)

20th Annual Golf Day 

OBA | Annual Golf Day & Lunch Program

An event that is both social and educational, this will be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues within the construction and infrastructure law section.

Spend the afternoon at Piper’s Heath Golf Club for the annual Golf Day & CPD. Lunch and socializing will be followed by an accredited CPD program, then hit the green for your chance to take home the Simpson Wigle trophy, earn some bragging rights, and win some great prizes.

Luncheon CPD Program – Civil Rules Reform and the Practice of Construction Law in Ontario

The Ministry of Attorney General has established a Civil Rules Review (CRR) working group, which released their Phase 2 Consultation Paper on April 1, 2025. A lively discussion will focus on the CRR’s proposed changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure, with a focus on the impact on construction litigation and dispute resolution in Ontario:

•    Lien actions
•    Presumptive and non-presumptive summary proceedings
•    Tolling and arbitration agreements in construction contracts

This program will be a valuable opportunity for construction lawyers to discuss and review the proposed changes before the CRR delivers its final proposal, which is expected in July 2025.

Pallett Valo Speaker

Catherine DiMarco, Partner

Location

Piper’s Heath Golf Club

Accreditation

This program contains 1h of substantive content

Program Price

CBA Member: $290* | CBA Student Member: $270* | Non-Member: $419*
*plus applicable taxes

 

 

Corporate Law Essentials Part III: Ins and Outs of Shareholder Agreements 

OBA Business Law Program

This program is also part of Corporate Law Essentials Series

Hear from expert faculty as they delve into the essential elements and strategic considerations in shareholder agreements. You’ll gather practical insights for aligning with unique business needs, addressing corporate governance challenges and preventing disputes. Walk away equipped to tackle key issues including:

  • Understanding the Parties: Identifying the shareholders, distinguishing between unanimous shareholders and other parties, and defining the relationship between shareholders and the company.
  • Role of a Shareholder Agreement: The significance of shareholder agreements and their role in ensuring clarity and governance.
  • Key Provisions, such as ownership and share structure, roles and responsibilities of shareholders, corporate governance and finance provisions
  • Exit Strategies and Dispute Mechanisms: Drafting effective provisions to manage shareholder exits and resolve conflicts.

Join the session for clarity and expert guidance on the fundamental and strategic considerations in creating and interpreting shareholder agreements!

Pallett Valo Speaker:

Matthew Kindree, Partner

View all speakers

Location:

Online

Accreditation

This program contains 15m of Professionalism content and 2h 45m of Substantive content

Power Up Your Practice: The Future of Construction Law

Canadian Italian Advocates Organization (CIAO)

Agenda:

  • Construction Lien Primer
  • Recent Amendments to the Construction Act
  • Adjudication and Prompt Payment
  • Making a Claim Against a Labour & Material Payment Bond
  • Caselaw Update

Roundtable:

  • Discussion of impact of Trump Tariffs on construction contracts
  • Interaction between liens and insolvency proceedings
  • Vacating liens in different judicial regions

Pallett Valo Speakers:

Maria Ruberto, Partner
Matthew Greco, Lawyer

Topic:

Adjudication and Prompt Payment

Location:

Columbus Centre
901 Lawrence Ave W
North York, ON
M6A 1C3
(Look for the CIAO banner!)

Canadian Roofing Expo

CRE is where Canada’s roofing and building envelope industries come together to meet suppliers and manufacturers, learn and experience the latest in roofing trends, applications and products.

As the only major exposition and education forum on roofing systems and technologies in Canada, it’s the hub for architects, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, building owners, property managers, roofing consultants, and specifiers to meet, get inspired, and excel. 

Designed by the roofing industry to provide architects, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, property owners, property managers, roofing consultants and specifiers with an educational experience directly related to all aspects of roofing. CRE 2025 will be an information forum that will offer significant benefits to those who wish to stay ahead of cutting-edge technologies.

CRE is a partnership between Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) and MediaEdge Communications.

Pallett Valo Speaker:

Jeremy Power, Lawyer

Panel:

Safety, more than you think!

Panel Date & Time:

April 16, 2025
8:30 – 9:30 am

Panel Description:

Safety, just when you think it’s motherhood and apple pie, a curve is thrown at you. This education session will address the different curves of construction safety in 2025. Whether it is from the regulator, insurance provider, safety management system expert, or advice from your lawyer, safety on the worksite is not what it was 10 years ago.

Documentation, premiums, regulation, and legal/criminal accountability have dramatically changed the significance of safety in the current business climate. The four speakers at this session will address safety from their respective points of view and how you, the contractor, must practice what is preached.

Location:

Aviation Ballroom A, International Centre, Hall 5, Toronto, Ontario

Young Advocates’ Speed Mentoring

The Advocates’ Society

If you had an opportunity to ask any question you could to prospective mentors, what would you ask? Now is your chance to connect with trusted mentors and discuss the topics relevant to you in a group setting. Get objective answers that will help you build your career and confidence. Go on a mentoring journey that is unique to you, asking YOUR questions.

How will it work? The group speed mentoring format lets you meet a variety of mentors in small groups to gain valuable insight and make new connections. The event will begin with a reception followed by multiple rounds of group speed mentoring. Attendees will be able to speak to new mentors each round, allowing you the opportunity to hear different perspectives throughout the evening. More mingling will follow the speed mentoring rounds so you have time to connect with additional mentors and other mentees.

Spaces are limited. This exclusive event is open to TAS members only.

Pallett Valo Co-chair:

Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Partner

Location:

The Advocates’ Society, 2700-250 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Accreditation

This program contains 1 professionalism hour

Working with Expert Witnesses

The Advocates’ Society

Take the fear out of working with expert witnesses! Learn about working with experts from A-Z.

Working with expert witnesses is minefield of ethical and practical problems. Learn how to navigate the tricky terrain of experts, from deciding whether to retain an expert, to drafting your initial retainer letter, to preparing your witness for examinations, to qualifying and examining a witness at trial.

Topics Include:

  • How to decide if you need an expert in the first place
  • Get the best expert to support your case
  • Properly qualify your expert at trial
  • Effectively use expert reports at trial
  • Instruct experts on report preparation
  • Conduct a successful expert examination
  • Navigate difficult ethical issues involving experts

Note that while the skills are applicable to a range of jurisdictions, the course will be largely based on Ontario Rules.

Pallett Valo Panelist:

Sudevi Mukherjee-Gothi, Partner

Location:

In-person or online

Accreditation

This program contains 1.5 professionalism hour, and is eligible for up to 2.0 substantive hours

Critical Updates for Construction Law and Practice in Ontario

Osgoode Professional Development

Get prepared to deal with key legal developments impacting construction projects and practice in Ontario.

Lawyers and experienced industry professionals need to stay current on key legal developments impacting construction projects in Ontario, and how to deal with them.

A chain of cascading contracts sets out the relationships and obligations among parties to a construction project. In Ontario, these relationships are governed by evolving case law and legislation including the soon-to-be amended Construction Act, resulting in uncertainty, conflicts and gaps as to how to interpret, navigate and implement evolving obligations and interests.

In one day, a leading faculty of legal, industry and insurance experts will help you decode the need-to-know developments impacting construction law and practice in Ontario, and provide tactical guidance for dealing with them and protecting your client’s interests – including the practical steps that owners, contractors and subcontractors/trades need to take to satisfy shifting risk, rights and obligations. You will receive up-to-date knowledge and tools and a clear understanding of which tactics to use – or avoid – to help you confidently and competently manage key risks and challenges on every project.

Pallett Valo Speakers:

Maria Ruberto, Partner
Neeta Sandhu, Partner

Location:

In-Person or Online

Accreditation

This program contains 6h 5m substantive hours and 1 professionalism hour.

Corporate Records 101

OBA Business Law Section, Corporate Law Essentials Series

This must-attend session will equip you with a strong foundation in managing and maintaining corporate records.

Presenters will provide step-by-step practical guidance on the essentials of corporate record-keeping, including:

• Minute Book Basics: understanding the components and structure of a corporate minute book.
• Forming the Foundation: completing articles of incorporation, form 1 filings and review of Ontario Business Registry process.
• Annual Maintenance: requirements and best practices for staying compliant
• Minute Book rectification and resolution
• And more

Register now to be ready to confidently manage corporate records and ensure compliance!

Pallett Valo Speaker

Andreea Muth, Partner

Location

In-Person (at the OBA Conference Centre in Toronto) or Online,

Accreditation

This program contains 2h 30m substantive hours and 30m professionalism hours.

Program Price

CBA Member: $240* | CBA Student Member: $93* | Non-Member: $352*
*plus applicable taxes

 

 

The Osgoode Certificate in Construction Law

Osgoode Professional Development

Can you confidently manage risk on construction projects?

Today’s construction projects are highly complex and present numerous and challenging risks to all stakeholders. A comprehensive understanding of the key issues and potential liability exposures in this high-stakes area is essential.

In this intensive certificate course, join 30+ senior legal and construction professionals to learn what you need to know about crucial construction law concepts, from contract formation to dispute resolution. Developed for the construction industry and legal professionals, this information-packed and highly practical program will highlight real-world situations to enhance learning and provide ample opportunity for questions and class discussion.

5 days of targeted and practical learning.

You will develop a solid understanding of the core legal issues impacting construction projects, and you will emerge better equipped to minimize exposure to costly risk. Select topics feature regional distinctions for Eastern and Western Canada. On demand primer classes cover foundational concepts and principles to enhance in-class learning and discussion.

New! Program includes five (5) primer modules, which are succinct, online classes providing a practical overview of core/foundational concepts and principles in key topic areas to help level-set everyone, and to facilitate in-class learning and discussion. Primers are mandatory/must be viewed as content will not be covered during See the online agenda for details.

Pallett Valo Speakers:

Anna Esposito, Partner
Catherine DiMarco, Partner

Dates:

February 7, 2025
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

February 13, 2025
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

February 21, 2025
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

February 28, 2025
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

March 7, 2025
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

Location:

Online (Blended)

Accreditation

This program contains 31h substantive, 3h 45m professionalism and 1h 15m EDI for a total of 36 CPD hours.