PROGRAM

9:00 - 11:45

Module 3: Impact of Technology on the Practice of Law

Practical AI for the Profession: From "How To" to “What's Next”

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the practice of law and the organizations that serve lawyers at a pace that few anticipated. This session offers law association leaders a

practical grounding in what AI is actually doing — and can do — for our members and our own organizations. We will explore real-world applications through "how to" demonstrations and case studies, examining how law associations are deploying AI to enhance staff operations, improve member services, expand access to legal information, and support access to justice initiatives. The session will also address the emerging challenge of AI regulation and what role, if any, law associations should play in shaping the rules that will govern this transformative technology.

Moderator :  Merete Smith, Secretary General, Norwegian Bar Association

Panelists: 

• Robert Spagnoletti, Chief Executive Officer, The District of Columbia Bar
• Tim Brown, Executive Director, Law Society of Saskatchewan
• Francis Barragan, President & CEO, CanLII

11:45 - 12:45

Lunch

12:45 - 15:00

Module 4: Supporting Members in the "Business" of Law

Beyond the Bar Card: Helping Lawyers Thrive in a Changing Market

Law practice is a business, and law associations are uniquely positioned to help their members succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive legal marketplace. This session explores how our organizations can provide meaningful, practical support to lawyers navigating challenges that go well beyond legal knowledge, including financial management and technology adoption, client development and marketing, and wellness. We will also examine the evolving landscape of risk, including how to help members manage exposure in an uncertain regulatory environment marked by shifting insurance markets, the rise of non-lawyer ownership models, and third-party investment in law firms. Panelists will share innovative programs and resources their organizations have developed to meet members where they are.

Moderator : Wendy Lee, Secretary General, The Law Society of Hong Kong

Panelists: 

• Dan Mills, D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service (virtual)
• Alison Hook – Founder and Co-Director, Hook Tangaza
• Claire P. Mazzini, Principal Corporate Counsel, Microsoft Canada
  

15:00 - 15:15 

Refreshment Break

15:15 - 16:15

Module 5: The Next Generation of Members – Influencing Legal Education

What does it take to influence legal education reform in practice? In this session, three leaders will share their experience of shaping legal education across different jurisdictions, highlighting what has worked, what hasn’t, and where influence is most effectively applied. The panel will explore the levers available to law associations — from advocacy and accreditation to collaboration and thought-leadership — and how these can be used to better align legal education with the realities of modern practice. This session offers practical insights, candid reflections and transferable approaches for those seeking to play a more active role in shaping the next generation of lawyers.

Moderator :  Kate Wellington, CEO, Law Society of Western Australia

Panelists :  

• Ian Jeffery, CEO, Law Society of England and Wales
• Luke Rheinberger, Executive Director, Law Society of Tasmania 
• Liza Worthington, CEO, Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education

17:30 - 21:30

Group Dinner

Parc de la chute Montmorency 5300 Bd Sainte-Anne, Québec, QC G1C 0M3