UPDATE: This seminar occurred in the past, and the seminar materials are now available.
• LESA Library subscribers can already access course materials through the LESA Library.
• Alternatively you can purchase course materials a la carte (search law and practice update).
• You can also view the list of upcoming seminars to discover live programs that are available now.
The 5th Annual Law and Practice Update is just around the corner. It’s happening in Edmonton on November 13-14, and, if you’re a solo lawyer or small firm practitioner, this program is specifically targeted to meet your needs.
But don’t take our word for it. We spoke to several past attendees about why they love this program and what they’re looking forward to about the program this year.
Based in Red Deer, James Dixon is a self-described “general practitioner, small-town” lawyer who believes that to excel in that setting you need to be “an expert at being a general practitioner.” For James, the secret to being a successful general practitioner lies in continually updating your knowledge:
As long as I’ve been in this business, I still consider myself a blank sheet every day, and I need to have my learning filled in and updated, refreshed. So, in that sense, LESA is incredibly important to me.”
Caila MacLeod enjoys her “small-town, general practice in Edson, Alberta” where she and her team pride themselves in “combining new technologies with our legal services to provide practical solutions for our clients in the Yellowhead County area.”
James is a small firm practitioner who has never worked in a firm with more than 3 or 4 lawyers, and Caila is the only lawyer in her firm, with 6 others who help support her law practice. While they work in similar settings, they also bring various perspectives in terms of experience. James jokingly admits that he is “getting close to the twilight” of his legal career, and Caila has been in practice since January 2014. In fact, she first attended Law and Practice Update as an articling student, where she loved gaining “knowledge for the business side of the practice.”
Two general themes emerged from their comments about the Law and Practice Update program:
- The wide variety of information – both substantive legal updates and practice management information – is incredibly useful.
- The networking opportunities are a huge benefit. Being able to connect with other similarly situation practitioners, provides a connection to an incredible community, a wealth of knowledge, and practical solutions to common problems.
Here’s more of what they love about Law and Practice Update:
Why do you think the Law & Practice Update program is beneficial for solo and small firm practitioners?
For two reasons. Number 1, it provides an update in all areas, and it turns your mind to issues you might not have appreciated (maybe they’re not part of your practice or [they’re something] you don’t do every single day). It gives you those added tidbits from the other areas so that you can connect your practice as a whole, especially when you’re doing more general law. [Number 2,] the networking – the networking is key.” Caila
Because of the wide range of offerings. You’re not going to get everything in a year or two, but over a period of years virtually everything I’ve had this inner feeling that I need to get refreshed on … pops up sooner or later. One is always canvassed for suggestions about future programs, and people don’t seem to be shy about making suggestions. Sure enough, a year or two later there’s a seminar about something you might have scribbled on a sheet.” James
What did you most enjoy about the last time you attended Law and Practice Update?
That it drew a real crowd of people who were, for want of a better expression, precisely like me. So I felt a level of collegiality there … that isn’t always present. I always run into someone I know … at these things, [and] one chats about matters of common interest, but Law and Practice Update particularly has that sort of side aspect to it. The program itself [is also valuable], because of the several nails that get hit on the head in the course of two days. … You’re getting a whole bunch of things in a short period of time. … It would be my first choice every year frankly.” James
I think being able to speak with other practitioners, even after each seminar, to discuss some of the issues they brought up and see that there is more than one way to do things. … There are lots of great ideas coming from the conference. I think they are actual practical solutions, because they are tailored to the small firm practitioner.” Caila
What are you looking forward to about the program this year?
Can I say all of it? … I think attending is one of the best things you can do as a solo or small firm practitioner.” Caila
There were a couple things that caught my eye. … Commercial Real Estate, that is something that I seem not to have had the benefit of sitting down with somebody for a period of time, so I was looking forward to that. … It’s always a pleasure to listen to Nancy. … Time Management is still a very important thing, so that seems appealing. Real Estate is something I do 8 days a week, so it’s nice to [discuss] any particular issues around that. … Summary Judgements … is a very important topic now, because it’s in use a lot more since some recent decisions came down. … And then Law Office Self-Assessment is just curious to me. It’s like going to the doctor’s office: I don’t want to get on the scale, and I don’t want to get my blood pressure taken, but I know I’ve got to.” James
So there you have it. That’s why two past attendees love the program and are registered to come again this year. There are plenty of benefits to attending, including the $75 loss prevention rebate you can receive on your Alberta Professional Liability Insurance Levy.
You can view the full line up of speakers and session topics in the program brochure. Whatever you’re most looking forward to, we can’t wait to see you there.
If you haven’t already saved your seat, register online now.
