Conduct of the Family Law Motion 2024

Conduct of the Family Law Motion

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 9:00AM - 4:30PM (ET)
Location: The Advocates' Society, 2700-250 Yonge St., Toronto, ON.
Delivery: Plenary (In Person with Live Stream) | Workshop (Via Zoom or In Person)

Program Chairs:
Kristen Normandin, Normandin Chris LLP
Eric Sadvari, Kenet Family Law

Whether it's preparing for your case or drafting an effective affidavit, framing your legal argument in a factum or making a compelling submission in the courtroom, every step of conducting a family law motion is important. Sharpen your motion advocacy skills and build your confidence at this comprehensive and practical program designed exclusively for family lawyers.

The plenary program will be held on the morning of May 6 and the learning-by-doing skills workshop will be held in the afternoon of May 6. There are two registration options: (1) plenary + workshop or (2) plenary only. Please see below for more information on each option, and review your selection(s) carefully.

Plenary Details | Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 9:00AM - 12:00PM (ET)
Master the art of conducting a family law motion with this popular biennial program. The plenary session will feature presentations and dynamic demonstrations by judges and senior family law practitioners on preparation, drafting and oral argument.

Topics include:

Successful preparation techniques
Effective written advocacy, including Notices of Motion, Affidavits and Factums
Tips for compelling oral advocacy
Demonstration and commentary of oral submissions
How to make the best use of your time in court

Workshop Details | Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 1:00PM - 4:30PM (ET)
Participants of the plenary session are also eligible to join us for our learning-by-doing skills workshop with in-person and online options available. Get the unique opportunity to get on your feet and practise your motion advocacy skills in a safe and supportive learning environment. Test and refine your skills in case analysis and oral advocacy and receive exceptional coaching and individualized feedback from leading litigators of the family law bar. Learn from your peers as you work through the interactive exercises in small groups.

Please note that the workshop requires advance preparation based on a mock case file, which will be provided to you in advance of the workshop.

Registration includes electronic materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live plenary webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you. Breakfast is included for all in-person plenary attendees; breakfast and lunch are included for all in-person full day (plenary and workshop) attendees.

Free Workshops for Junior Members

Junior members (under 5 years of call) who joined The Advocates' Society in 2024 or who join in 2025 and who register for the plenary session of an Essential Advocacy Skills Workshop program in the 2025 calendar year can attend that program’s skills workshop for free.

This is a pilot initiative designed to engage Junior members in their first year of membership in the Society. The pilot does not apply to Student members or Junior members who joined The Advocates' Society prior to January 2024.

Please review the system requirements to view a webcast here.

Faculty Includes:
The Hon. Justice Andrea Himel, Ontario Superior Court
The Hon. Justice Kiran Sah, Ontario Superior Court
The Hon. Mary Lou Benotto, Benotto Resolutions
Andrea Rose Acri, Rosen Sack LLP
Erin Betts, Epstein, Cole LLP
Erin Chaiton-Murray, Murray Lawson LLP
Charu Chande, J K Hannaford Barristers
Meghan Lawson, Murray Lawson LLP
Angela Pagano, JK Hannaford Barristers

8:30 – 9:00
Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:05
Welcome and Introductory Remarks

9:05 – 9:35
Strategic Considerations for Bringing and Responding to Motions

9:35 – 9:45
Drafting Notices of Motion

9:45 – 10:00
Drafting Affidavits

10:00 – 10:15
Drafting Facta

10:15 – 10:30
Break

10:30 – 10:40
Preparing Form 14 Confirmations

10:40 – 11:10
Effective Advocacy in the Courtroom

11:10 – 11:55
Demonstration and Commentary: Arguing Your Family Law Motion

11:55 – 12:00
Summarizing Remarks

Eligible CPD Hours:

Plenary + Workshop:
This program contains 2.25 Professionalism Hours and is eligible for up to 4.25 Substantive Hours.

Plenary Only:
This program contains 1.25 Professionalism Hours and is eligible for up to 1.75 Substantive Hours.

Law Society Accredited

This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.

For information on CPD requirements and accreditation across Canada, please click here.

Pricing:

Plenary + Workshop:
TAS Members: Regular: $439.00 + Tax | Discount: $329.25 + Tax* (please see below)
Non-members: Regular: $699.00 + Tax | Discount: $524.25 + Tax* (please see below)

Plenary Only:
TAS Members: Regular: $279.00 + Tax | Discount: $209.25 + Tax* (please see below)
Non-members: Regular: $419.00 + Tax | Discount: $314.25 + Tax* (please see below)

*The Advocates' Society is pleased to offer a 25% discount on this program for all lawyers who practise as sole practitioners, or in firms smaller than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics).

Registration includes educational materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording for 30 days from the date the link is sent to you.

TAS Members save up to $100 on half-day programs and up to $200 on programs with a skills workshop. Join us today.

Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program

Delivered jointly with:

Generously Sponsored by:

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Conduct of the Family Law Motion

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