The Art of Questioning (Alberta)

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Program Chairs:
Shaun Hohman, Rose LLP
Tamara Prince, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell

Questioning is not just a formality; it’s a critical opportunity for you to uncover key evidence and lay the foundation for a strong case at trial.

Designed for Alberta advocates, by Alberta advocates, this program will help you get the most out of the questioning process for your clients.

Learn how to utilize the questioning process to your advantage. Gain tips and strategies directly from judges and leading practitioners on gathering information, obtaining admissions, testing theories and assessing witness credibility. Register for the morning only, featuring presentations and demonstrations by noted faculty. Or, stay for the afternoon hands-on skills workshop where you will get the unique opportunity to conduct a questioning examination in a safe learning environment and receive constructive feedback from skilled faculty.

The plenary program will be held on the morning of October 29 and the learning-by-doing skills workshop will be held in the afternoon. There are two registration options: (1) plenary + workshop or (2) plenary only (see below for more information).

Plenary Details | Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 9:00AM to 12:00PM (MT), In Person or via Live Stream

Topics Include:

Effective strategies for preparing yourself and your client for questioning
Conducting a questioning examination and its implications for trial
Dealing with difficult witnesses and counsel
When and how to object to questions
Post-questioning challenges

Workshop Details | Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 1:00PM to 4:30PM (MT), In Person or via Zoom
Participants of the plenary session are also eligible to join us for our hands-on skills workshop, with in-person and online options available. The workshop is your chance to get on your feet and practise your questioning skills in a supportive learning environment. Make mistakes and improve your questioning skills, with none of the real-world consequences of failure and the added benefit of mentoring. Our trained instructors will provide you with immediate, individualized feedback on your performance and you will receive the benefit of hands-on practical learning that is tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. 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 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.

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 Kevin P. Feehan, Court of Appeal of Alberta
The Hon. Justice Colin Feasby, Court of King's Bench of Alberta
Peter Gibson, Field Law
James Heelan, KC, Bennett Jones LLP
Norm Machida, KC, Vogel LLP
Michael Mestinsek KC, Stikeman Elliott LLP
Lillian Pan, KC, Dentons Canada LLP
Domenic Venturo, KC, Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP

8:30 - 9:00
Registration (Continental breakfast provided)

9:00 - 9:05
Welcome and Introductory Remarks

9:05 - 9:55
Practical Tips for Preparing Your Witness & Strategic Considerations when Preparing for Questioning

9:55 - 10:30
Conducting a Questioning Examination and Implications for Trial

10:30 - 10:50
Demonstration and Commentary: Opening and Closing the Questioning Examination

10:50 - 11:05
Break

11:05 - 11:40
Post-Questioning Preparation and Obligations

11:40 -11:55
Demonstration and Commentary: Questioning the Difficult Witness

11:55 - 12:00
Concluding Remarks

"Amazing course! I really appreciated the constructive feedback from faculty, who were so patient."

"Very helpful tips on how questioning fits into the overall strategy and resolution of an action. The workshop was excellent practice and the feedback was extremely helpful."

"The was a great program. I appreciated the detailed tips on process and strategy and will be applying them in my practice."

"There were many useful tips and feedback on what I can improve, from great points on questioning techniques to the best use of your transcript."

"Thanks to this program, I will be trying a different technique when beginning my next questioning!"

Eligible CPD Hours:
Consider including this program as a CPD learning activity in your annual Continuing Professional Development Plan.

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

Pricing:

Plenary + Workshop:
TAS Members: Regular: $379.00 + Tax | Discount: $284.25 + Tax (please see below)*
Non-members: Regular: $649.00 + Tax | Discount: $486.75 + Tax (please see below)*

Plenary Only:
TAS Members: Regular: $235.00 + Tax | Discount: $176.25 + Tax (please see below)*
Non-members: Regular: $369.00 + Tax | Discount: $276.75 + Tax (please see below)*

Sole practitioners, lawyers who practise in firms with fewer than 5 lawyers, and government lawyers (including lawyers who work for legal aid clinics) can take advantage of a 25% discount off the registration fee for this program. If you are eligible for this discount, please enter SSG2024 in the appropriate field at check-out.

*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 electronic materials, which will be provided prior to the program. Registration also includes access to the live webcast recording of the plenary session for 30 days from the date of the program.

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

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