Professional Development Program
Negotiation, Advocacy, AI, and Legislative Changes:
Skills & Strategies for a Changing Practice
The Joint Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Law Society of PEI and the Canadian Bar Association PEI Branch are pleased to announce the professional development sessions for the Mid-Winter Meetings
8:30 AM Registration – Lobby, a light breakfast will be served.
9:00AM Plenary – The Art of the Deal with Craig Garson, K.C. Negotiation is at the heart of legal practice. Join us for an insightful and practical session with Craig Garson, K.C. (Garson Law). Craig is one of Canada’s leading mediators with more than 40 years of courtroom experience, 6,000+ mediations, and a named Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Craig has mediated and arbitrated cases in 8 of the 10 provinces in Canada, and has represented clients in international arbitrations in London, Paris, New York, Johannesburg, Istanbul, New Delhi and Singapore and continues to maintain a select international arbitration practice. Craig will share tools, techniques, and mindsets that contribute to successful negotiation outcomes. A valuable session for lawyers in all practice areas who wish to refine their negotiation skills and improve client outcomes.
10:15AM Breakout Session 1 (attend 1 of 3 options)
1. Tribunal Advocacy Panel - Strengthen your appearances before Island tribunals with practical perspectives from experienced tribunal counsel and decision-makers. Moderator Jessica Gillis (General Counsel, Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission) will guide a panel discussion featuring:
- Stephen Carpenter (Senior Legal Advisor, Workers Compensation Board of PEI, and Chair, Labour Relations Board).
- Susan Robinson, K.C. (HR Manager, Robinson Group of Companies; Vice Chair, Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal; and member of hearing panels for various industrial relations matters).
- Pamela Williams, K.C. (Chair and CEO, Island Regulatory Appeals Commission).
2. Trial Advocacy Panel - Learn the courtroom skills and strategies required for effective advocacy before the superior trial court. This session is moderated by Mary Lynn Kane, K.C., and features insights from the Honourable Tracey L. Clements, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Gary Demeulenaere, K.C. (Partner, Stewart McKelvey).
3. CBA AI Academy - Join the CBA, Thomas N.T. Sutton (Partner, McCarthy Tetrault), and Iain McCarvil (Partner, Key Murray Law), for a follow up to their original A.I. introduction session and an overview of the CBA AI Academy, a program designed to help lawyers build the skills and confidence to use artificial intelligence efficiently and responsibly. The AI Academy is currently freely available for CBA members until January 31, 2026, please contact Nicola Reynolds for more details.
11:30AM Breakout Session 2 (attend 1 of 2 options)
1. Appellate Advocacy Panel - Hear directly from the bench and bar on the skills and strategies that make for effective appellate advocacy with the Honourable James W. Gormley, Chief Justice of the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal, and Meaghan Hughes (Partner, Cox & Palmer).
2. Legislative Update – Power of Attorney and Personal Directives Act - Join Robin Aitken, TEP (Partner, Cox & Palmer) and Zach Geldert, TEP (Associate, Stewart McKelvey) for a legislative update on the key changes to PEI’s Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives Act (“the PAPD Act”) which came into force on November 1, 2025.
12:45PM CBA PEI Branch Mid-Winter Meeting & Luncheon
Everyone is welcome to a complimentary buffet luncheon hosted by the Canadian Bar Association, PEI Branch.
1:15PM Law Society of Prince Edward Island Mid-Winter Meeting
6:30PM Presidents’ Reception & Dinner
In 2026, we mark a century since Roma Stewart became the first woman called to the Prince Edward Island bar—a milestone in our province’s legal profession. We will be highlighting this landmark event to recognize not only this historic moment, but also the broader story of women in law on PEI. Despite Stewart’s call in 1926, another woman would not join the bar here for 50 more years. This centennial reminds us that the progress we celebrate is both significant and surprisingly recent. Several of the first ten women ever called to the bar are still practicing today, highlighting how close we remain to the earliest chapters of this journey.
Join hosts Law Society President Christopher Montigny, K.C. and CBA Branch President Sean Seviour at the reception and dinner where we will honour this pivotal moment, the women who opened doors, those who continue to lead, and those who will shape what comes next. Join us as we celebrate a century of progress and recommit to keeping the flame lit for future generations.
Please note the dress for all events will be Business Casual.
Pricing:
Professional Development:
CBA Member: $350.00 + HST = $402.50
Non-CBA Member: $437.50 + HST = $503.13
Presidents' Reception & Dinner: $100.00 + HST = $115.00 - Meals selection options below.
Registration Deadline is Friday, January 16th, 2026
CLE Cancellation Policy: Registrants who cancel within two weeks but more than twenty-four (24) hours before the CLE will receive a fifty per cent (50%) refund and will be entitled to receive a copy of any CLE materials. Registrants who cancel within 24 hours of the CLE or who do not show will not be refunded any portion of the registration fee, but the registrant will be entitled to receive a copy of the CLE materials.
