How to Be a Great Litigation Junior 2022

Course Chair
Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

About the Course Chair
Joel Morris is a partner at Harper Grey LLP in Vancouver. He maintains a general litigation practice, representing clients in a broad range of civil and administrative law matters. Joel's practice focuses on professional liability; commercial litigation, including multi-party cases and class actions; and administrative law. Joel has represented clients at all levels of court in BC and before various administrative tribunals.

Faculty
The Honourable Madam Justice Neena Sharma — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Mr. Justice Bruce Elwood — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Judge David A. St. Pierre — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
Craig P. Dennis, KC — McEwan Cooper Dennis LLP, Vancouver
Michael Feder, KC — McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Vancouver
Eric V. Gottardi, KC — Peck and Company, Vancouver
Ludmila B. Herbst, KC — Farris LLP, Vancouver
Rebecca Jane Robb — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver
Christopher M. Rusnak, KC — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein — Murphy Battista LLP, Vancouver
Peter R. Senkpiel — Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP, Vancouver
Kevin B. Westell — Pender Litigation, Vancouver
Allison Wolf — Shift Works Strategic Inc., Vancouver

Click here for full faculty bios

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:05)

Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

Panel—What Do You Look for in a Junior? (9:05 – 10:15)

• what senior counsel look for in a junior on a file, from the perspective of civil and criminal practitioners
• skills to develop to be an effective junior
• practice points for junior counsel

Moderator: Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Michael Feder, KC — McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Vancouver
Eric V. Gottardi, KC — Peck and Company, Vancouver
Ludmila B. Herbst, KC — Farris LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (10:15 – 10:25)

Presentation—Effective Legal Writing for Junior Counsel (10:25 – 11:10)

• advice regarding effective legal writing
• differences between writing for various audiences
  • writing for lawyers (legal research and writing)
  • writing for clients (legal opinions)
  • writing for courts/tribunals (legal submissions

Christopher M. Rusnak, KC — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (11:10 – 11:20)

Presentation—Lawyer Wellness/Productivity (11:20 – 12:00)

Allison Wolf — Shift Works Strategic Inc., Vancouver

LUNCH (12:00 – 1:00)

View from the Bench (1:00 – 2:00)

• advice for junior counsel appearing at different levels of court

The Honourable Mr. Justice Bruce Elwood — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Judge David A. St. Pierre — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Madam Justice Neena Sharma — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver

BREAK (2:00 – 2:10)

Panel—If I Knew then what I Know Now (2:10 – 2:55)

Moderator: Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Rebecca Jane Robb — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver
Peter R. Senkpiel — Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP, Vancouver
Allison Wolf — Shift Works Strategic Inc., Vancouver

BREAK (2:55 – 3:05)

Advocacy Practice Panel—How to Junior a Trial/Appeal (3:05 – 4:00)

• advice on advocacy and junioring for junior counsel
• professionalism and ethics

Moderator: Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Craig P. Dennis, KC — McEwan Cooper Dennis LLP, Vancouver
Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein — Murphy Battista LLP, Vancouver
Kevin B. Westell — Pender Litigation, Vancouver

Closing Remarks (4:00 – 4:05)

Joel Morris — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver