TLA seeks input to enhance professional development sessions

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • With 2022 drawing to a close, the Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is offering two more noteworthy educational programs and looking ahead to see how to better serve members’ professional development needs in the coming year,  says executive director/library director Joan Rataic-Lang.

“We are trying to be really in tune with what our members want,” she tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. “We will be reaching out in our electronic newsletter to ask for their input.”

Rataic-Lang says the TLA supports its members through the three pillars of knowledge, advocacy and community. As well as having one of the largest private law library collections in Canada, the association prides itself on the depth and diversity of its educational programs.

Up next for members is Dearly Departed and Separated: The Intersection of Family and Estates Law, which will be offered either in person at the TLA Lawyers Lounge or by live stream on Nov. 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a social for those who attend in person.

Family law and estates issues to be discussed

Moderator Sarah Boulby, founding partner of Boulby Weinberg LLP, will lead Ontario Superior Court of Justice Cory A. Gilmore; Karon Bales, founding partner of Bales Beall LLP; and Kimberly A. Whaley, founding partner of WEL Partners, in a discussion on challenging crossover family law and estates issues. 

Light refreshments will be served following the presentation and in-person participants will have a chance to meet with the speakers. The program is eligible for up to two hours of substantive content. For more information, click here.

On Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the TLA will host Top 6 in 60: Six Recent Cases from the SCC You Should Know About in 60 Minutes or Less.

“Each year the Supreme Court of Canada comes out with some interesting decisions and it is important to stay on top of the latest rulings,” says Rataic-Lang. “It can be difficult for many lawyers to find the time to read and digest them. Our top six examines all the practical implications and really focuses on what people need to know.”

The online presentation features Ian Kasper, an associate at Toronto’s Kapoor Barristers. The firm practises in criminal trials and appeals, regulatory proceedings, public inquiries, and national security. The session is eligible for one hour of substantive content. For registration details, click here.

‘Good for those in sole practices or small firms’

“We decided to make this a live stream event and start at 5:30 p.m.,” says Rataic-Lang. “It allows people to put in a full work day, which is good for those in sole practices or small firms.” 

She says the pandemic forced the association to pivot quickly from in-person learning to live stream and it has been an interesting journey.

“When we went to a remote environment in 2020, we were able to adapt quickly. We are a small team but we are agile,” Rataic-Lang says. “In 2020 we presented more programs than in the previous year even though we were in the middle of a global pandemic.”

Live streaming allows the TLA to reach out to more people, as evidenced by The Role of Cognitive Bias on Lawyers and the Practice of Law, a hybrid program presented earlier this month, she says.

“This was really a topic that can appeal to any lawyer, no matter their field of expertise,” says Rataic-Lang. “Interestingly enough, we got it accredited across the country and it was a success.

“We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback. One lawyer wrote, ‘I just wanted to reach out to say what a fabulous program! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was captivating and thought-provoking. Thank you, TLA for bringing this to us!’”

Association examining different presentation approaches

Moving forward, the association will be looking at whether to live stream a session, present it live or use the hybrid approach, she says.

“When we did the cognitive bias program, there were some who said they refused to do anything more online. They needed to be in a room with people,” Rataic-Lang says. “However, many lawyers are still working from home, at least part of the time, so live streaming is more desirable.

“We need to find the balance of what we can offer,” she added.  “If we only do in-person events, we are taking a risk because people might not want to come out. But others really want that social networking opportunity.”

Rataic-Lang says even though the educational programs are essential for professional development, the TLA is aware of the need for added value.

“There has to be a special draw. With our Women in Law program, for example, we had group mentoring afterward,” she says. “I had participants who said they had wanted to see it offered online but they were glad they attended because it gave them the chance to meet people who shared their issues. 

‘Sometimes, we need to push ourselves’

“Sometimes, we need to push ourselves because we are social beings. We need to continue to make those connections. The work of a lawyer is somewhat solitary but they still need to depend on a community.”

Many lawyers have grown comfortable doing the educational sessions from their home offices, she says, while others want to get off of Zoom. Offering hybrid presentations can be labour-intensive so it can be difficult to determine which approach to use, Rataic-Lang says.

“We’re going to ask our members if they prefer at-home or in-person sessions,” she says. “The registration numbers are telling us people don’t want to come in person but it may be too soon to get an accurate picture. We are watching and seeing if this is going to evolve, or if this is the new normal.”

In the meantime, Rataic-Lang says planning for next year’s slate of programs is well underway, aided by input from TLA committee members.

Looking for ways to keep lawyers engaged

“Our new lawyers’ committee is very engaged this year and has made some excellent suggestions,” she says. “We have members who are retiring or have left the profession. We must ensure we are also doing things that are of interest to newer lawyers so they stay engaged with the association. 

“We have a strong membership and it is a really nice feeling to know so many people want to participate in our different committees,” adds Rataic-Lang.

She says along with the “tried-and-true” programs, members should expect to see such additions as a session on Indigenous law in the coming year.

“We are also going to be running a series of six programs from March to May for new lawyers that we are calling Tuesday Tips,” Rataic-Lang says. “We will also be doing taboo topics for the new lawyers. Things that people may have a difficult time talking about but issues that need to be discussed. It will cover such topics as how law firms pay associates and partners and how to deal with difficult people from a young lawyer’s perspective.”

“We are excited about the road ahead and look forward to hearing from our members.”