New lawyers get valuable insight with TLA’s multi-series forum

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is launching Tell Me the Truth Tuesdays: 6 Programs for Lawyers Under 6 Years of Service, a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) series beginning Feb. 21.

“We were looking to do something new,” says Gabriel Latner, a member of the TLA’s Young Lawyers Committee. “We wanted to put together a program that attendees would be excited about and would look forward to, instead of just ticking a box to meet the annual CPD requirement.”

In its first year, Tell Me the Truth Tuesdays will combine six bi-weekly seminars presented by veteran members of the bar and other experts with social events, he tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. 

Networking, small talk can ‘overwhelm the educational content’

“CPD programs often function as an opportunity for networking, or just face time with colleagues,” says Latner. “And that’s great – vital even, especially at a time when a lot of associates have spent the last couple of years – maybe their only working years – primarily outside the office. But sometimes networking and small talk overwhelm the educational content.”

Worse, says Latner, are online CPD programs offering little or no opportunity for attendees to interact with each other, or the speakers.

“It is very easy to put a speaker on Zoom and have them talk to a hundred-plus lawyers for an hour,” he says. “The lawyers don’t even have to pay attention. They can just have it playing in the background and claim the hours. We don’t want that. We want this to be about the attendees learning from each other, as much as from the speakers. We are organizing discussions, not lectures.”

To that end, Tell Me the Truth Tuesdays is modelled after law school seminar courses, Latner says.

“We are going to have small groups – no more than could fit in a physical classroom – and it will be the same group for each session,” he says.  “We are very focused on building opportunities for conversation.”

There are other advantages as well, Latner says. For $125 ($75 for TLA members), attendees will get access to more than six hours of CPD, including three hours of professionalism content, and an hour of EDI. 

Topics include how to run a law firm and keep clients happy

Topics include how to start and run a law firm, how to keep clients happy, and how to deal with friends and family who may come to you for “friendly” legal advice, he says.

“We wanted to cover some issues that aren’t often talked about and also hear from people that aren’t often featured at CPD events. So in addition to some excellent lawyer speakers, we are also bringing in clients, LSO reps, and recruiters,” Latner says. “We have also made it a point that none of the private-practice lawyers we have brought in are going to be talking about their own specialties or practices. They will be talking about their experiences. This isn’t marketing.” 

Tell me The Truth Tuesdays runs alternating Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. with some opportunities for in-person meetups that will be announced shortly.

To register, click here. Spaces are limited. Those who are unable to attend can register to receive a Vimeo recording. The replays will be available within 24 to 48 hours of the event.

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