2026 Mid-Winter Conference

For over 40 years Community Legal Education Association (CLEA) has been providing public legal education programs to help Manitobans understand the legal system and how to resolve their legal issues. Our programs include a legal information line, lawyer referral service, presentations, videos, webinars, plain language publications and a website.

 

8:00am – 2:00pm - Registration

8:00am – 9:00am - Continental Breakfast

9:00am – 11:30am - Morning Continuing Legal Professional Development Sessions

Family Law Year in Review

We are happy to once again offer the full-day year in review of Family Law cases. The morning session will focus on updates both locally and across the country as it relates to parenting matters.

The session is being presented by the MBA Family Law Section.

Speakers:

• Lawrence Pinsky, K.C., Taylor McCaffrey LLP
• Jessica Schofield, Evans Pollock Family Law Corporation

Moderator:

• Reannah Hocken, Tapper Cuddy LLP

Sponsored by Leegals Express Legal Services

Aboriginal Law – Case Law Update

The MBA's Aboriginal Law Section presents a Mid-Winter session focused on educating participants on recent updates to Aboriginal law jurisprudence. Session panelists will each address notable Aboriginal law cases. Gaining a better understanding of relevant cases in this practice area can assist lawyers in serving their clients; both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

This session is being presented by the MBA Aboriginal Law Section.

Speakers:

• Maxime Faille, Cochrane Sinclair LLP (Vancouver, BC.)
• Elizabeth Pappas, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
• Bradley Regehr, K.C., Maurice Law

2026 Perspectives on Corporate Law

Corporate law is changing - and so are the roles of those who practice it. This panel will bring together Michelle Redekopp of MLT Aikins and Don O'Hara of Roblin West Law, senior practitioners with vast experience and knowledge in the area of Corporate law; Nancy Zettler, an in-house general counsel working with Pollard Banknote; and lastly, Marty Fisher, President of The Show and Tell Agency, who collectively will engage in a wide-ranging discussion moderated by Nick Noonan of Fillmore Riley LLP and Donn Pirie of D'Arcy & Deacon LLP. Panelists will explore how corporate lawyers and business leaders are navigating challenges such as supply chain disruptions, the rise of AI, and evolving approaches to risk management across industries. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on the skills and strategies needed to succeed in today's complex business environment.

This session is being presented by the MBA Business Law Section.

Speakers:

• Nancy Zettler, In-House at Pollard Banknote Limited
• Michelle Redekopp, MLT Aikins LLP
• Don O'Hara, Roblin West Law
• Marty Fisher, President, The Show and Tell Agency

Moderators:

• Nick Noonan, Fillmore Riley LLP
• Donn Pirie, D'Arcy & Deacon LLP

Access to Justice in Motion: Innovation, Regulation, and the Evolving Legal Landscape

Join us for an informative and engaging presentation highlighting the Law Society of Manitoba's current and upcoming Access to Justice initiatives, designed to make legal services more accessible, innovative, and responsive to the needs of Manitobans. Learn about the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program, which provides a framework for testing new and creative approaches to legal service delivery, as well as other forward-looking initiatives soon to be launched. These programs reflect the Society's commitment to modernizing regulation, encouraging innovation, and reducing barriers to justice for individuals and communities across the province.

The session will also explore significant regulatory changes underway in British Columbia following amendments to its Legal Professions Act, marking a transformative shift in how legal services are governed and delivered. We'll discuss the province's ongoing transition to this new model and the constitutional court challenge that questions its implications for self-regulation and professional independence. In addition, the session will feature a discussion of recently enacted regulatory changes in Saskatchewan that introduced a Limited Licensee Program, including an overview of the program, its objectives, and the planned path forward for legal service delivery in the province. Together, these developments offer valuable insights into how Canadian legal regulators are navigating the balance between innovation, public protection, and access to justice in a rapidly changing environment.

This session is being presented by the MBA Legal Research Section.

Speakers:

• Alissa Schacter, Law Society of Manitoba
• Jeevyn Dhaliwal, K.C, Larlee Rosenberg Barristers & Solicitors (Vancouver, B.C.)
• Pamela Kovacs, Senior Policy Counsel, Law Society of Saskatchewan

Moderator:

• Steve Falkingham, Paterson GlobalFoods Inc.

10:15am – 10:45am - Break

11:30am – 1:30pm - Working Lunch EPPM Session
Sponsored by Taylor McCaffrey LLP

Make Your Own Headlines

Speakers:

• Nicole Dubé, former CTV News Anchor
• Professor Brandon Trask, University of Manitoba – Faculty of Law

2:00pm – 4:30pm - Afternoon Continuing Legal Professional Development Sessions

Family Law Year in Review

We are happy to once again offer the full-day year in review of Family Law cases. The afternoon session will focus on financial issues in family law, including a review of financial disclosure obligations, and the evolution of the law from Bates v. Welcher to Boucher v. Boucher.

The session is being presented by the MBA Family Law Section

Speakers:

• Lawrence Pinsky, K.C., Taylor McCaffrey LLP
• Jessica Schofield, Evans Pollock Family Law Corporation

Moderator:

• Reannah Hocken, Tapper Cuddy LLP

Sponsored by Lawton Partners

Barriers to Will challenges: minimum thresholds, limitation periods, and challenge clauses

Thinking of challenging a Will? Think again. This presentation will review the minimum evidentiary threshold necessary to contest a Will or get production of documents. This session will also review other barriers that may end a case before it starts; namely: limitation periods, equitable doctrines (estoppel and doctrine of laches), and challenge clauses (in terrorem clauses). This session is meant to equip counsel with the essential knowledge to advise clients on the risks and cost consequences of a weak Will challenge, and how one might avoid a challenge during planning.

The session is being presented by the MBA Wills, Estates and Trusts Section

Speakers:

• The Honourable Mr. Justice Herbert Rempel, Manitoba Court of King's Bench
• Johanna Caithness, Fillmore Riley LLP
• Ken Mandzuik, K.C., Tradition Law LLP
• Ian Scarth, MLT Aikins LLP

Moderator:

• Annika Friesen, Fillmore Riley LLP

Sponsored by STEP Winnipeg

MMIWGSQI+ Legal Advocacy – Understanding and Achieving Justice for Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Individuals

The session will centre on the role of lawyers, judges, and the judicial system in addressing and overcoming the racism and legal hurdles facing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit Individuals and their families, particularly in situations where they are missing, at risk, or are a victim of violence. The esteemed panel will explore decolonized approaches and concrete ways for lawyers and those working within the legal system to uphold the voices, dignity, rights and safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and their families, with an emphasis on the critical role of the community in that. Attendees will gain insight into the inequities facing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals, the systemic change required, and the importance of active, ongoing allyship with the community in our role as legal advocates.

The session is being presented by the MBA Women Lawyers' Forum and Equality Sections

Speakers:

• Renée Lagimodière, Manitoba Justice - Public Prosecution
• Stacey Soldier, Cochrane Sinclair LLP
• Angeline Tuesday, Winnipeg Police Service, Family Support and Resource Advocate, Criminal Investigations Bureau
• Samantha Trudeau, Winnipeg Police Service, Family Support and Resource Advocate, Manitoba Integrated Missing Person's Coordination Centre

Moderator:

• The Honourable Judge Jerilee Ryle, Provincial Court of Manitoba

Psychological Injuries in the Workplace: Navigating Legal Responsibilities

Psychological injury claims are increasingly common and complex in today's workplaces. This session examines how these claims are addressed across key areas of practice, including workplace safety and health, human rights and accommodation, workers compensation, and disability benefits. Focused on practical implications for labour and employment lawyers and in-house counsel, this session will provide valuable insights into employer obligations, employee rights, and current legal trends pertaining to psychological injury claims.

This session is being presented by the MBA Labour & Employment Law Section

Speakers:

• Shannon Carson, Myers LLP
• Kristin Gibson, MLT Aikins LLP

Moderator:

• Dany Théberge, The North West Company Inc.

Sponsored by CPHR Manitoba

3:15pm – 3:45pm - Break

Bench & Bar Reception - 4:30pm – 6:30pm – North Building, Ground Level

A member of the judiciary will host this year's reception with MBA President, Stacey Soldier. The reception will include hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and entertainment.

8:30am – 2:00pm - Registration - North Building, Ground Level

8:30am – 9:00am – Continental Breakfast – North Building, Ground Level

9:00am – 11:30am - Morning Continuing Legal Professional Development Sessions

Current Issues in Tax Law

This panel discussion, which is geared towards non-tax specialists interested in gaining a deeper understanding of tax issues affecting their clients and their practices, will cover a variety of tax hot topics, tips and traps, and other items of note. The discussion will focus on applying the material covered in practice and will generally not be technical in nature. This session will be of particular interest for general practitioners, commercial lawyers, and estate planners.

This session is being presented by the MBA Taxation Law Section.

Speakers:

• Aron Grusko, Fillmore Riley LLP
• Ari Hanson, Fillmore Riley LLP

Moderator:

• David Silver, Department of Justice Canada

Easements – A multi-faceted perspective

Join Jason M.J. Bryk, K.C., Partner, Pitblado Law for a provocative exploratory analysis of easements in Manitoba; the analysis will consider the perspectives of the Land Titles Office as presented by Teranet Manitoba, the private practitioner as presented by Peter Anandranistakis from Qualico Developments and John Prystanski from Prystanski Law Office, the City of Winnipeg as presented by Sarah Rentz from City Legal and, the utilities as presented by Sandra Phillips of Manitoba Hydro; the analysis will close with Jason M.J. Bryk, K.C. discussing some the challenges on advising clients when a blanket easement is present.

This session is being presented by the MBA Real Property Section

Speakers:

• Jason, M.J. Bryk, K.C., Pitblado LLP
• Peter Anandranistakis, Qualico Developments Canada Ltd.
• Joshua Dyck, Teranet MB
• Sandra Phillips, Manitoba Hydro - Law Division
• John Prystanski, Prystanski Law Office
• Sarah Rentz, City of Winnipeg - Legal Services
• Tyler Watt, Teranet MB

Moderator:

• Jason, M.J. Bryk, K.C., Pitblado LLP

Sponsored by TitlePLUS

Intellectual Property and Privacy Considerations in Share Purchase Agreements: Canadian and US Perspectives

This session will provide a thorough examination of the core contractual provisions and foundational legal principles essential for managing intellectual property and privacy risks in share purchase agreements. This session would be relevant to a broad audience, from all intellectual property and privacy practitioners to corporate counsel.

The goal is to equip attendees with practical insights into navigating the complexities of intellectual property and privacy rights in transactions, including cross-border technology transactions, by exploring the strategic priorities of buyers and sellers with respect to key clauses relevant to intellectual property and privacy issues.

The panelists will introduce a clause and outline its general purpose before discussing important considerations from both a buyer and seller perspective. Where relevant, the panelists will also discuss unique U.S. considerations. The discussion will emphasize actionable strategies for drafting contractual clauses that mitigate risks while aligning with the parties' commercial objectives.

This session is being presented by the MBA Technology & Intellectual Property Law Section

Speakers:

• Nicolas Joubert, MLT Aikins LLP
• Dan Patriarca, Fillmore Riley LLP

Moderator:

• Kendall Dyck, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP

Cross Examinations

In this session, members of the Bench and Bar will review strategies and practical tips for planning and executing effective cross-examinations. Topics covered will include how to determine if a cross-examination is necessary, how to adapt cross-examinations to cater to different types of witnesses, including experts, and tips to avoid derailing a cross-examination when it is not going as planned. This is intended as a practical session for litigators at all levels.

This session is being presented by the MBA Civil Litigation and Criminal Justice Sections

Speakers:

• The Honourable Judge Lisa LaBossière, Provincial Court of Manitoba 
• Chantal Boutin, Manitoba Justice - Public Prosecutions
• Kevin Toyne, Hill Sokalski LLP

10:15am – 10:45am – Break

11:45am – 1:45pm – Awards Luncheon

Featuring presentations of the 2026 MBA Distinguished Service Award, the 2025 Pro Bono Award and the 2025 MBA Recognition Awards.

Sponsored by Lawyers' Financial

2:00pm – 4:30pm - Afternoon Continuing Legal Professional Development Sessions

Client refused entry to Canada due to a criminal record?

Has your client has been charged with a crime? Do you know if they are a Canadian citizen?
Do you have a non-Canadian client with a criminal record and are not sure if they can enter Canada because of it?
Do you have a client with a criminal record but needs to enter the U.S.?

If any of these situations apply to you, join us for a primer to discuss Cross Border Criminal Inadmissibility matters and more!

Areas of focus:
•    Outside of Canada charges / convictions. What will prevent a person from entering Canada and how does Canada’s border services assess these situations.
•    How to defend an accused who is not a Canadian citizen. (And how to avoid a Law Society Complaint and Negligence Law Suit when acting as defence counsel to a non-Canadian)
•    Canadian charges, convictions and other activities that can prevent you or your client from entering the U.S.
•    Q and A – case studies on how to resolve criminal inadmissibility matters (Temporary Resident Permits/ Rehabilitation Applications/ Record Suspensions)

This session is being presented by the MBA Immigration Law Section

Speakers:

• Chaobo Jiang, Zaifman Law
• Sofia Mirza, K.C., Fillmore Riley LLP
• R. Reis Pagtakhan, MLT Aikins LLP
• Nalini Reddy, Gindin Wiebe Segal Law

Building Your Practice: Financial Savviness & Marketing Expertise

This session will provide some information on how to best build your practice early on in your career, and navigating the changes as you shift from a salaried to commissioned employee, and in having increased autonomy over your own practice. There are two pieces: Financial and Marketing. We have a Financial Advisor from Lawyer's Financial who will speak to best practices and a more in-depth information session on how to best manage your finances and build your net worth. The second piece will include some advice on building a strong client pool (and the right type of clientele), and tips on engaging with more external clientele and increasing efficiency. We will also have some lawyers speaking to both aspects of the session.

Financial Savviness
• In depth dive into how to invest your money early on in your career;
• What to know about shifting from a salaried to a commissioned employee;
• Incorporating - perks and drawbacks;
• Any other tips

Marketing
• How to build your network and have more control over your practice;
• Corporate and tech tools increase your reach for the 'right' audience and increase efficiency;
• Lessons learned from starting a firm early in your career;

This session is being presented by the MBA Young Lawyers' Section.

Speakers:

• Cassandra Bueckert, Smith Neufeld Jodoin LLP
• Daniel Cheung, Lawyers' Financial
• Kara Hague, Amica Law Corporation

Moderator:

• Taylor Antonchuk, Penn-Co Construction Canada (2003) Ltd.

AI in Law and Government: Risk, Regulation, and Reality

As artificial intelligence reshapes the legal and public sectors, lawyers must be equipped to navigate the complex emerging regulatory landscape surrounding its use. This session begins with an overview of AI regulation, comparing current and proposed approaches in Canada with those emerging in the European Union, Asia, Australia and elsewhere. Participants will gain insight into how the regulatory approaches being pursued in different jurisdictions reflect divergent legal traditions and policy goals, and what these differences mean for legal professionals, clients, and AI governance in Canada.

The second part of the session turns to AI use in government, spotlighting both opportunities and institutional challenges. Through a structured discussion on bias in judicial decision-making and the limits of algorithmic fairness, presenters will open a critical conversation on how public bodies can deploy AI tools responsibly. The session will culminate in a case study on an AI initiative from Manitoba, illustrating both potential and pitfalls. An open Q&A will follow.

This session is being presented by the MBA Public Sector Lawyers' Section.

Speakers:

• Michael Litchfield, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Responsible AI Governance (Vancouver, BC)
• Alana Stevens, Crown Counsel, Manitoba Justice, Legal Services Branch

Moderator:

• Dr. Katie Szilagyi, University of Manitoba - Faculty of Law

Sponsored by Kemp Appraisal

Language Rights in Manitoba: Responsibilities for all Lawyers

Join the AJEFM for an informative presentation on lawyers' professional obligations regarding Canada's two official languages. They'll explore the duties practitioners must meet, the resources available to help lawyers uphold these obligations, and practical steps to ensure compliance in everyday practice.

This session is aimed at English-speaking lawyers and will be presented in English.

This session is being presented by L'AJEFM.

Speakers:

• Guy Jourdain
• Alexandre Mireault, MLT Aikins LLP

3:15pm – 3:45pm - Break

Co-Chairpersons:

• Abram Silver, Myers LLP
• Krista Clendenning, Tradition Law LLP

Committee Members:

• Alexis Bailey, Tapper Cuddy LLP
• Stéphanie Bauch, Mitousis Family Law Group
• Myriam Hacault, MLT Aikins LLP
• Lexi Janovcik, Taylor McCaffrey LLP
• Matthew Knoll, Pitblado LLP
• Robert Pellizzaro, Mayer, Dearman & Pellizzaro
• Amelia Peterson, Fillmore Riley LLP
• Bonnie Schmidt, University of Manitoba
• Maggie Spezzano, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
• Megan Spencer, Amica Law Corporation

Please read carefully as registration information has changed.

The more CPD sessions you attend, the greater the cost savings.

	Early Bird (before December 31, 2025)	MBA Member (after January 1, 2026)	Student or Young Lawyer*	Non-Member
One Half Day	$225.00	$275.00	$150.00	$500.00
One Full Day	$315.00	$365.00	$200.00	$650.00
Two Full Days**	$550.00	$600.00	$375.00	$1,000.00
MBA Awards Luncheon (Individual Ticket)	-	$85.00	$65.00	$100.00

* Young Lawyer rate is available to CBA members practicing 5 years or less

**You will receive all 12 hours of LSM Mandatory yearly CPD requirement

(Including 2 hours of Ethics, Professionalism and Practice Management)

Prices do not include GST #R126095728

CBA members must Register Online. Members will need their email and CBA password to login.  Non-members and members who are GST exempt must contact the MBA office at 204-927-1210 to register.

Your Registration Includes:

		Thursday AM PD Session	Thursday PM PD Session	Friday AM PD Session	Friday PM PD Session	Continental Breakfast (Thursday)	EPPM Lunch	Continental Breakfast (Friday)	MBA Awards Luncheon	Access to session materials on MBA website
Thursday, January 22	Half Day (AM)	X				X	X			X
	Half Day (PM)		X				X			X
	Full Day (Thursday)	X	X			X	X		X	X
Friday, January 23	Half Day (AM)			X				X	X	X
	Half Day (PM)				X				X	X
	Full Day (Friday)			X	X			X	X	X
Two Full Days		X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Registrants are not able to combine a Half-Day Registration on separate days as a full-day registration.

Registration deadline Thursday, January 15, 2026

Register Now

Refunds

Cancellations will be accepted by email admin@cba-mb.ca until 4:00pm on January 15, 2026, subject to a 15% administrative charge. 

NO REFUNDS will be made if notification is received after 4:00pm on January 15, 2026.