TLA has educational programs for new starts, experienced lawyers

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is offering a slate of educational sessions designed to appeal to those starting off in the profession as well as lawyers looking to expand their skillsets, says executive director/library director Joan Rataic-Lang.

“There are returning programs and new ones that are sure to fill up quickly,” she tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. “We have sessions that will give licensing candidates the knowledge they need to stand out. We also have some interesting forums for lawyers who are already established.”

First, the association will be conducting tours of criminal and civil courthouses in Toronto.

“This is exciting because people are gathering in person again,” says Rataic-Lang. “We haven’t been able to do the court tours since 2019. These tours have always been quite popular and registration is almost full already. It is an opportunity for articling students to get familiar with the buildings they will be spending time in.”

She says lawyers starting out may not know that there are lawyers’ lounges in the various courthouses, which court to attend or even where to put their gowns on. 

‘It is not just about the courtrooms’

“Some articling students have never had a reason to go to the Toronto courthouses. This gives them the chance to see what is on what floor and what purposes the different offices serve,” says Rataic-Lang. “It is not just about the courtrooms, but knowing where to go to file papers and request documents. It gives them an introduction to some of the procedural matters. 

“Each tour will include a welcome from the judiciary and an introduction to the TLA,” she adds. “Tour guides will be experienced litigators who are familiar with the inner workings of each courthouse.”

All tours are free to TLA members. The first is on Aug. 25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and is geared toward those doing criminal law.  The tour will begin at 361 University Ave., and then go to the new Ontario Court of Justice facility at 10 Armoury St. To register, click here.

On Sept. 11 and 18 the tours will be for those focusing on civil law visiting 330 University Ave, 361 University Ave and 393 University Ave.   Both sessions run from 8:15 to 11 a.m. For more information, click here.

Rataic-Lang says the association will once again be presenting Licensing Candidates Head Start – From Articling Student to Lawyer, a three-part series that runs every Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. starting Sept. 22.

Webinar begins with session on legal research

The Zoom webinar begins with Legal Research – The Secret to Your Success. Megan Strain, TLA reference and outreach librarian, will cover the methodology of legal research and will explain how to research quickly, efficiently and exhaustively.

Next, Mary Paterson, a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, will discuss what she looks for when working with an articling student and how they can make themselves indispensable in A Partner Telling It Like It Is: What, How and Why. 

The program finale is Time Management and Mental Health, where Shawn Erker, LAWPRO’s legal writer and content manager, will provide helpful advice for managing procrastination, stress and distraction as well as mental health risks and stressors specific to the legal profession.

The cost for the program for TLA member licensing and articling candidates is $25 plus HST. Non-members pay $50. Licensing candidates can join the TLA for free. For more information on the program, click here. 

On Sept. 26 from noon to 1:30 p.m. the TLA presents the online program Bad Bosses, Worse Clients & Scary Judges. The session is designed to help participants “navigate challenging personalities and tough situations.”

Not just for young lawyers

“We realize there are some issues in our profession. They are uncomfortable, they are difficult. It is good to talk about them,” says Rataic-Lang. “This session is not just for young lawyers. It is for everyone.”

The cost for TLA members is $59 plus HST. Non-members pay $109 plus HST. For a list of speakers and registration details, click here.

The online program How to Succeed at Killer Cross-Examinations will run Oct 3 from noon to 1 p.m. Topics of discussion will include:

• How to develop and execute a killer cross-examination
• Key goals of an effective cross-examination
• Lessons learned the hard way
• The inherent unpredictability and the importance of planning 
• How to stay in control

Registration for TLA members is $59 plus HST. Non-members pay $109 plus HST. To register, click here.

The TLA will be presenting the 19th annual Associate Judges’ Motions for Licensing Candidates and Recent Calls on Oct. 24 starting at 5 p.m. at 361 University Ave.

“This a great opportunity for articling students to meet the judges they will appear before,” says Rataic-Lang. “Participants will be able to get advice from these judges and have the chance to chat with them for a few minutes after the program. This is a popular program that sells out quickly.”

She says the session is a must for licensing candidates, recent calls and others who are new to arguing motions or want a refresher. There will be a mix and mingle after the program. For more, click here.

For a complete list of TLA educational programs and events, click here.

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