ADRIC held its 45th AGM and National Conference November 20-22, 2019 in beautiful Victoria, BC at the luxurious Fairmont Empress!
The theme was “Realizing ADR’s Full Value” to bring attention to the importance of ADR to help organizations and government understand its potential, highlight its successes and make full use of its benefits as well as to provide ADR professionals an opportunity to grow and practice at their highest levels.
ADRIC one again brought together Canadians, organizations and government from across the country to provide attendees with inspiring, innovative and interactive plenary and poster presentations, keynotes, hands-on workshops, comprehensive panel discussions and great networking opportunities.
Our Keynote Speakers:
Dr. John Fletcher
Head of the RICS Dispute Resolution Service
3:15pm -3:45pm, Thursday November 21st
Who should attend?
The Conference will provide sessions to inspire and advance the work of:
- Mediators
- Arbitrators
- Med-Arb Practitioners
- Negotiators
- Workplace Investigators
- Labour Relations Managers
- Conflict Coaches
- Facilitators
- Collaborative Lawyers
- Parenting Coordinators
- Ombudspersons
- ADR Trainers
- Restorative Justice Practitioners
- In-House Counsel
- Government Agencies
- Organizations that use ADR services
Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your knowledge, skills and network:
- Earn CPD accreditations from all Canadian law societies
- Earn ADRIC CEE points
- Special tours and events to include spouses and families – see the “Venue” tab!
Schedule:
November 20, 2019
9:00am - 17:00 - Pre-Conference A workshop
9:00am - 12:30 - Pre-Conference B workshop - CANCELLED -
13:30 - 17:00 - Pre-Conference C workshop
14:30 and 15:00 - Legislative Assembly Tours
19:00 - Legislative Assembly Meet and Greet - Wine and Canapes (extra registration required)
November 21, 2019
8:00am - Registration and Full Hot Breakfast
8:30 - Annual General Meeting
9:15 - Conference Opening & Welcome
9:30 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
10:30 - Networking Break
10:45 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
12:00 - Luncheon, Awards and keynote address: Hon. David Eby, QC, BC Attorney General 14:00 - 14:00 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
15:00- Keynote Presentation and Refreshments: John Fletcher, RICS Dispute Resolution Service
16:00 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
17:15 - Cocktail and Networking Reception
November 22, 2019
8:00am - Registration and Full Hot Breakfast
8:45 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
10:00 - Networking Break
10:30 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
12:00 - Luncheon and keynote address: Hon. Sheilah Martin, Supreme Court of Canada
13:30 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
14:45- Networking Break
15:00 - Concurrent Sessions - 4 Streams
16:15 - 16:45 - Closing Plenary and Coffee
Download the full program
November 20, 2019
Pre-Conference Workshop(s)
If you want to better consult with Aboriginal People/Industry or you are in a position that requires that you engage Aboriginal People/Industry (Stakeholder Relations, Consultation Department, Community Relations, Chief and Council, Surface Land, Aboriginal Relations) and have asked these questions, then this workshop is for you. Using a combination of information transference and interactive dialogue, participants will be guided through the many complicated aspects of the fundamentals of why the Duty to Consult exists and how the three major players - Industry, Government, and Aboriginal people - can create relationships to enhance the chances of success. It also provides valuable information on Impact and Benefit Agreements. Learn how to have meaningful consultation and engagement with Aboriginal Groups. This program offers 12 ADRIC Continuing Education and Engagement (CEE) points. Schedule: Pre-Conference A includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments. Note: The organizers reserve the right to cancel the event if less than the minimum required participants have registered. Liability is limited to the registration fee. Med-arb is becoming an increasingly popular way to resolve disputes. It can be designed to efficiently, effectively and fairly resolve disputes most typically encountered in everyday personal and commercial matters including disputes involving both lower and higher monetary amounts and disputes where relationships are of lesser or greater importance. It can be used in family, commercial, partnership, landlord and tenant, condominium, and many other disputes. If designed and conducted appropriately, med-arb can be highly client-centric, fair, effective and satisfying. On the other hand, if it is inappropriately designed or conducted, it can lead to confusion, frustration and on-going dissatisfaction. This workshop, delivered by two highly experienced dispute resolution professionals, is an in-depth look at the knowledge and competencies required to run a fair, effective and efficient med-arbitration process. This program offers 6 ADRIC Continuing Education and Engagement (CEE) points. Schedule: Pre-Conference C includes lunch and refreshments. Note: The organizers reserve the right to cancel the event if less than the minimum required participants have registered. Liability is limited to the registration fee. This is an unprecedented opportunity to meet and mingle with BC's Members of the Legislative Assembly and help them understand the importance of ADR. The MLAs have been invited to the Fairmont to enjoy a drink, a bite and to network with you! To register, "Sign in" on the Conference registration page, scroll down to the Program options and look for the "Members and MLA's Meet and Greet" item from the Wednesday section. $50 (includes hors d'oeuvres, 2 drinks and then cash bar) Over 30 sessions in special streams: Arbitration, Mediation and other ADR processes, Family & Community, Workplace/HR/Labour and Special Interest including Indigenous ADR! The last major revision of the BC’s Arbitration Act occurred more 30 years ago. Some elements of the domestic commercial Act continue to work well; other elements show signs of age. Join our panelists for a review of potential opportunities to improve this important piece of legislation. We ADR practitioners have myriad ethical obligations to those we serve. Confidentiality and freedom from conflicts of interest, already essential, are now complicated by additional responsibilities about collecting, using and disclosing personal information. Understanding these concepts and implementing protections for clients and ourselves is necessary in our current fast-paced milieu. Seniors make up more of our population, we are living longer, adult children are the sandwich generation. The need for mediation for elders and the people who support them is growing. Join us to learn about how elder mediation can support clients to have durable outcomes that support relationships and will provide information how what types of issues are best suited. Since 2013, she has incorporated Elder Law into her practice as our aging population faces issues specific to their circumstances. She sat as Co-Chair of the CBA Elder Law Section, Alberta South in 2015. The purpose of this workshop is to address how film contributes to the pedagogy of dispute resolution. Considering the growing appetite for social media and technology, most students fall into a visual/spatial and divergent learner category. With film in the classroom as a springboard for the pedagogy of dispute resolution concepts, historic influences, the power of love, the impact of culture, and the multi-layered impact of politics provide an opportunity to understand dispute resolution concepts in a unique way. The panelists will provide insights on: Robert has experience in all levels of courts in British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Northwest Territories Supreme Court, the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Courts of Appeal for Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories, in a broad range of cases. Prior to joining CNOOC International in 2017, Erin worked as litigation counsel at an international law firm. Erin has been involved as junior counsel and in house counsel in a number of domestic arbitration proceedings, primarily in the area of joint venture operations, construction disputes, and disputes relating to the electricity industry. This interactive session provides practical concepts and tools for participants to reorient our practice from “conflict resolution” to “building conflict capacity”. Applying a cognitive model of decision-making that includes knowing, valuing and deciding, the session offers strategies for analyzing ethical dilemmas, managing difficult people, interacting respectfully and balancing work/life priorities. Conflict is a natural part of running a business. When business colleagues and employees are also family members, the conflict can be particularly complex because there are three spheres of interests at play: family issues, business issues and ownership issues. Many, if not most, family firms lack formal processes and strategies to resolve disputes. This session outlines the most common forms of family business conflict and the methodologies and best practices to assist business families to resolve it. This session will take attendees from " Online Dispute Resolution 101" to how it can be best applied in various contexts to ameliorate access to justice concerns in the public justice system. Panellists will provide an in-depth look at MylawBC and the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) plus a brief update on what ADRIC's ODR Task Force is up to. Darin is an adjunct professor of Legal Information Technology at Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Victoria Faculty of Law and has co-instructed legal innovation courses at Thompson Rivers University, the University of Ottawa Law, and Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Kharkiv, Ukraine). He holds a BA and JD degrees from the University of Victoria and an LLM in Innovation, Technology & Law from the University of Edinburgh. On 10 May 2019, the ADRIC board adopted the following statement of principle: ADRIC, in collaboration with its federation partners, and consistent with MOU article 10, is committed to recognizing and including Indigenous perspectives in its work. ADRIC desires the counsel of interested parties in its journey towards achieving this principle, recognizing that this path is not one that it can travel alone. With this in mind, ADRIC seeks suggestions on how it can better meet any ADR needs not currently met within and on behalf of Indigenous communities and how it can better recognize and include the breadth of Indigenous perspectives in its work. Join this session to learn more. Join an interactive conversation with experienced arbitrators about difficult ethical challenges faced in arbitration practice, presented for discussion by asking “what would you do?”. Your questions and examples for discussion are also highly encouraged. This presentation engages experienced mediators in a conversation about the practice of expanding their role in order to transform the systems and structures that give rise to destructive conflict in organizations. Such a role, which offers services in addition to mediation, can be called ‘Conflict Consulting’. Parent Coordination has been used in BC since 2010 and has been part of the Family Law Act since 2016. Hear seasoned PC panelists provide answers to common questions like “Who needs a PC?, How do we measure success? Isn’t it very expensive? How do I help my clients limit costs if they get a PC? Why not just go to court and get it over with? “How do children participate?” “Is this mediation or arbitration or a hybrid?” and any others you want to bring. Audience members will be encouraged to ask their own questions and address these issues from their own perspectives. This session will be of interest to family lawyers, policy makers and family mediators and arbitrators. Join an interactive session primarily focused on issues faced by ADR practitioners under 40 years of age. This session will include a frank discussion about barriers, challenges and opportunities faced by this age cohort, with perspectives from across the country. Audience questions and topics for discussion are highly encouraged. Dominique has implemented a mentorship program for young mediators in Saskatchewan and is a member of the under 40 initiative with the Saskatchewan Branch of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada. From his base in the United Kingdom, John Fletcher is deeply involved world-wide in a wide range of ADR initiatives as the Director of the ADR Products Group for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As the oldest and largest provider of ADR services in the UK, RICS builds and manages ADR systems, provides training, qualification and accreditation programs for ADR practitioners, and serves as the appointment authority in diverse locations from Africa, South Asia and Australia to Europe, with a particular focus on dispute avoidance in the built environment. John will provide his insights into the burgeoning growth of dispute resolution practice, and with the arrival of Canada’s newest ADR system, Construction Adjudication, he will highlight his experiences since the birth of Construction Adjudication in the UK twenty-three years ago. John will then join the Panel Session on Construction Adjudication that follows from 4pm to 5:15pm. Construction Adjudication will soon govern all payment claims in Canadian construction contracts. Facing unique contracts, confusing, ill-focused and lengthy submissions, conjecture and argument, the Adjudicator must deliver an interim determination in 6 weeks - 90% of British disputes become permanent. Using a conversational format, the Panel will explore federal and provincial legislation, and adjudication practice compared to arbitration, based on RICS’ 25 years of experience in the UK. John Fletcher was born in South Africa took his B Com LLB from Rhodes University and his M Phil and PhD in administrative law from Cambridge. He returned to SA and practised as a barrister at the Johannesburg Bar for ten years in a civil commercial practice with some constitutional work. John is the ADR Products Group Director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is responsible for RICS’s global Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) including arbitration, adjudication, dispute boards, mediation, expert witnesses and conflict avoidance. Prior to working for RICS, John was the Projects Director for ADR Group. He developed their international joint ventures in South Africa, Europe, Brazil, the Caribbean and other developing countries; their UK workplace mediation service; and their mediation training in UK universities. In addition to his practice as an advocate, he sits as a mediator, arbitrator, dispute review board chair, court appointed monitor and referee of construction industry disputes. “High-conflict” disputes usually involve individuals who lack self-management skills, who are temporarily overwhelmed or have a high-conflict personality pattern. Mediators can be effective by using a structured process, while maintaining a relationship with the parties, and assisting them to take responsibility for the outcome. Erosion of trust in our police services is highly publicized. Adversarial and investigative processes are not designed to build meaningful resolutions. Using ADR basic principles, we have built an inclusive process to resolve highly emotional public complaints, by restoring trust, achieving resolutions and closure. This experiential, introductory workshop orients practitioners/ facilitators to a multi-module approach to embracing forgiveness and restoration. It covers: Join our panelists to discuss risks, management of risks, best practice tips for technology use in arbitration, and approaches to meeting regulatory compliance targets. The panel will also discuss some of the new technological developments and resources available in arbitration and ADR practice, as summarized in the recent IBAArb40 report. Hilary has worked on clients in several industry groups including power & utilities, energy, retail operations, hospitality, telecommunications, municipalities and government related accounts. The operations of these accounts have allowed her to draw from her experiences on each risk to provide solutions to any potential exposures that exist. Hear lessons and best practices from ADR professionals experienced with the use of online, phone, and other remote mediation approaches. What are the challenges and opportunities of distance mediation? Is it for you? Can it expand your practice? Anne has expertise in matters of civil litigation and in 2005 she conducted pre-trial hearings under the Simplified Rules as part of the Backlog Elimination project. Eugene has been a sessional instructor at the University of Victoria and is an ongoing contributor to various Continuing Legal Education courses in the area of family law. The demand for workplace investigators has increased significantly since 2010, when a number of provinces mandated, through various Occupational Health and Safety legislation, that allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination and violence must be investigated. The Federal Labour Code now also includes this mandate. Not all investigations result in any findings of what has been alleged, however, this does not mean that the “root cause” that gave rise to the complaint is resolved. This session will demonstrate how effective a “transformative” mediator’s approach is for resolving conflict in today’s workplace environments. She is the President and Principal Consultant & Chief Lobbyist of Scott & Associates Inc. which provides solutions to Canadian based companies in Labour Management Relations, Conflict Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety compliance, Human Rights, Disability Program Management, Organizational Development and Effectiveness, Board Governance and Workplace Investigation Services. Her firm also provides lobbying and advocacy services to their not for profit and broader public service clients. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action #27 and #28 inspired the topic of this panel. Panelists will discuss their perspectives on intercultural competency and exchange ideas about different culturally appropriate approaches to negotiation and mediation within and among indigenous groups and larger society. Obstacles experienced in DR processes and possible ways forward will be discussed. Participants will be invited to recognize, reflect on, and respect different perspectives that inform our understandings and actions as DR practitioners. A review of the limits of the jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal, whether contractual or statutory (in the case of oppression, winding up, etc.), with a review of key cases and issues regarding the assumption and declining of jurisdiction by arbitral tribunals and challenges to jurisdiction in the courts and before arbitral panels. Michael oversees and manages the strategic and operational development and execution of RicePoint’s government class action services to ensure high-quality, cost-effective notice and settlement administration processes. Michael has built up business systems and processes that aid not only his clients, but also the Canadian government. This partnership and management of complex litigation cases has made Michael a trusted counsel and invaluable leader. The launch of the ADRIC Med-Arb Rules provides ADR practitioners with a rare opportunity to offer this clearly defined innovative process to our clients from a well thought out best practices perspective. This will be a practical, focused interactive discussion about increasing the use of med-arb in our practices. Consider joining us in the afternoon in the Helmcken Suite from 15:00 - 16:15 for a Consultation on the New Med-Arb Rules to offer your feedback before we make them official and send them to print! He currently serves as President and Chair of the Board of Directors at the BCAMI – British Columbia Arbitration and Mediation Institute; and as Senior Business Advisors at Osborne Business Advisors. In 2018, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Department of National Defence (DND) launched an integrated method of dispute resolution for members that has simplified access and management of conflict and complaints. The program brings together former recourse structures of Harassment Prevention, Human Rights and Diversity complaints, CAF Grievance Authority and Alternative Dispute Resolution Services into a single access point for users. With 17 Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) centres across the country, teams of Agents, Practitioners and Educators work to support both members and chain of command. Early, local and informal resolution is at the heart of service delivery together with supportive procedural guidance for rights-based processes. This presentation explores the fundamental aspects of this innovative new model of conflict management and its implications. He is a Belbin® Team Role Accredited facilitator and a certified Workplace Fairness Analyst. He was drawn to his current role by a strong desire to support the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces and by the unique opportunity to participate in facilitating the inspiring cultural shift taking place within the overall Defence Team. In 2018, Grant was selected to be the Agent Supervisor of the newly created Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) Centre at CFB Esquimalt, responsible for all CAF personnel in the province of BC. This CCMS Centre is one of 16, Canada wide, of an organization created as part of a re-investment by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, in managing more effectively, conflicts and complaints of its members, using both interest-based and right-based processes towards resolution. This session will explore the role of Indigenous legal orders in alternative dispute resolution. Panelists will share their ideas on the application of Indigenous laws and legal processes to a variety of decision-making contexts, including consultation, negotiation, and the exercise of shared jurisdiction. An important reason to choose binding arbitration, rather than resolving disputes in the courts, is to avoid lengthy appeals. In 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada held in Sattva Capital Corp v Creston Moly Corp 2014 SCC 53 that commercial arbitral awards should be afforded deference. The panel will review the deference afforded to arbitral awards by tracing how Sattva has been interpreted and applied in subsequent decisions in Canada, and discuss what this means for parties to arbitration. This session is intended to situate mediation in the current access to justice crisis in Canada. Court annexed mediation now has institutional standing in many jurisdictions. The session will review the manner in which mediation is conducted in the court system and raise the question whether court annexed mediation sufficiently satisfies justice criteria. It posits that this new form of justice is not only what is required but is becoming the norm of dispute resolution. As mediators we hear and resolve issues arising from, at times, highly charged, conflict. How do we as mediators manage issues arising from transference? What are the signs and symptoms etc. She is the President and Principal Consultant & Chief Lobbyist of Scott & Associates Inc. which provides solutions to Canadian based companies in Labour Management Relations, Conflict Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety compliance, Human Rights, Disability Program Management, Organizational Development and Effectiveness, Board Governance and Workplace Investigation Services. Her firm also provides lobbying and advocacy services to their not for profit and broader public service clients. With all the Truth and Reconciliation information out there many wonder: "how do I want to be in this world?" Let us help you figure it out. We will chat about what makes a good Ally and how you can be conscious in your practice and in your life generally. We will also share some stories of "Ally attempts gone wrong". She strives to provide a service that reflects the Seven Sacred Teachings: LOVE, RESPECT, HUMILITY, WISDOM, COURAGE, HONESTY and INTEGRITY. I believe that we can create a new tomorrow and a new way of working together if we follow these teachings. Arbitrators are often sought out as neutrals based on a particular legal or industry expertise. Arbitrators, or their firms, may well have acted for one or more parties to an arbitration at some previous time. Procedures should be in place to catch potential conflicts at the outset, rather than at some later point in the arbitration. Once caught, arbitrators must make full disclosure of the conflict. Our panel can talk about conflicts at the time of file intake, and what to do if a conflict is discovered at a later stage. Have you ever watched people in a dispute struggle to hear or understand what you or the other party is saying? Now imagine a new scenario: The key messages and points are being visually recorded - the important things are not just being spoken and evaporating into thin air! The parties can see their comments in real time, confirm their meaning and reflect on them. Now imagine how this could impact the process of coming to agreements! Learn how visual communication is being applied to mediation to make communication more effective and the mediation process more creative, engaging and interactive. Leave knowing how you too can strategically apply visual communication to help the people you serve. Within the context that more than 60% of all Human Rights complaints across Canada have a mental/physical health impairment component, that about 50% of all poverty cases across Canada (currently well in excess of 1.2 M) have a disability relationship (either the individual themselves or a member of their family) and that about 80% of impairments occur during someone's working life, then effective policy and program standards in this area have the greatest potential for positive socio-economic impact for the individual, workplace and society. Mediators will learn how to assist workplaces in developing policies and standards. She is currently the Manager of Disability Management and Health & Safety with the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) where her team supports 47,000 nurses across the province with prevention, WCB and LTD appeals and Disability Management through the Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP). Lani was responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluating of the provincial EDMP. In addition, Lani is on the board of the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management and a member of the Steering Committee for Workplace Wellness Disability Prevention Institute, BC chapter. Session description TBC Join some of the Med-Arb Rules and Templates developers in the Helmcken Room to learn moree about and share your feedback on the new documents. Will they meet your clients' needs? Are they clear enough? What could be improved? Would you suggest any related documents? He currently serves as President and Chair of the Board of Directors at the BCAMI – British Columbia Arbitration and Mediation Institute; and as Senior Business Advisors at Osborne Business Advisors. Join us for a final refreshment to come together one last time, to reflect on the conference and provide inspiration for next year’s. Tell us what worked, what didn’t, what we should consider for future and the topics to plan. Meet with ADRIC directors to share your vision for the organization. Watch as the discussion is captured in a vibrant visual recording!
Clayton Desjarlais, a First Nation Consultant who has been in business over 20 years and has worked specifically in the area of Aboriginal Consultation since 2010. He has been the owner of Mâwandônan Consulting since 1996. Mâwandônan Consulting offers a wide range of workshops and services.
CPD accreditation pending from all Canadian law societies. Learn more.
8:00am Breakfast & Registration
9:00am Program
10:30am Refreshment Break
11:00am Program
12:30pm Buffet Lunch
1:30pm Program
3:00pm Refreshment Break
5:00pm Program endsWORKSHOP - CANCELLED -
Colm Brannigan, C.Arb, C.Med has over 20 years of full-time experience in conflict management and alternative dispute resolution and is recognized as one of Ontario’s leading mediators and arbitrators in condominium related disputes. He also focuses on the resolution of construction (including green energy), commercial, insurance and real property disputes using mediation, med-arbitration and arbitration processes. He is an associate at the Canadian Centre for Conflict Management (CCCM).
Richard Moore, LL.B., C.Arb, C.Med, CFM, Cert. Med. IMI has over 30 years’ experience in conflict management. Mediating since 1990 after retiring from law practice, he has conducted over twenty-five hundred mediations including mediations in complex multi-party situations, and in various contexts including: employment and workplace, policing, hospitals and health care, human rights, indigenous people’s issues, public policy, estates, real estate, professional responsibility, personal injury, insurance, construction, family and property disputes. He is an associate at the Canadian Centre for Conflict Management (CCCM).
CPD accreditation pending from all Canadian law societies. Learn more.
12:30pm Buffet Lunch
1:30pm Program
3:00pm Refreshment Break
5:00pm Program endsThursday November 21, 2019
Jonathan Eades, Legal Counsel, Civil Litigation, Government of BC
Angus Gunn, BA, LL.M, FCIArb, QC, is a seasoned and versatile advocate who provides Canadian and international clients with strategic counsel and highly experienced representation. His commercial disputes practice emphasizes appellate advocacy, arbitration proceedings (and related litigation), public and administrative law matters, and other corporate commercial disputes. He joined Eyford Partners following several decades at a Canadian national law firm. In 2012, Angus was appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his substantial contributions to the legal profession.
Diane E. Tucker, Q.Arb is a commercial arbitrator and a privacy professional, addressing both US and Canadian domestic and cross-border questions. A member of the Board of Directors of ADRBC until June 2019, she serves on ADRIC’s National Introductory Arbitration Course Committee and recently ended her tenure as a member of the CIPP/C Exam Development Board. A member of the State Bar of California, Ms. Tucker was in-house counsel in international electronic entertainment software companies in the US and Canada. She also taught law in the San Francisco Bay Area and in greater Vancouver.
Joan Cotie, C.Med, C.Arb, C.Fam. Arb., RSW, is committed to working with clients to create dynamic, healthy relationships for families and organizations. Joan’s work is multi-disciplinary. She is a registered social worker, mediator and arbitrator with more than 35 years of experience. Joan is able to apply her skills and knowledge from these professions to build agreements that are unique and meet the needs of all clients. Joan’s experience with the not-for-profit sector, union and labour sector, and with children, youth and families gives her a multi-faceted perspective and knowledge.
Kathleen Bellamano BSW, RSW, FMC Cert. CFM has been a dispute resolution practitioner for 15 years. Most of her work is with families and she specializes in working with participants with multiple challenges including high conflict, trauma, health or mental health issues, substance use or addiction challenges, child protection involvement, a history of violence or anger issues, or intercultural issues.
Lisa F. Kerwin, Associate Lawyer and Family Mediator, Davis Avis Randall in Parksville, BC. practiced largely as a sole practitioner in Calgary, Alberta for 9 years, focusing on family and estate law. In early 2016 she was called to the BC Bar and commenced work at Davis Avis Randall. She continues to practice solely in the areas of family law and wills and estates and is an accredited Family Law Mediator.
Elisabeth A. Leith Strain, Lawyer has been working in the area of family law since 2003. First with Stacey, Strain Hertzberg and Schneider and then with Bob Stacey until opening up her own firm Strain and Company . Currently, she is the senior lawyer with Strain and Company which also includes, Anthony Mattila, James Dunn, Articled Students Michael Corcoran and Sharae Antley and paralegal Debby Baker. Mrs. Strain’s focus is on general family law (including trial work), surrogacy, adoption and mediation. Mrs. Strain is a certified family law mediator and a collaborative lawyer.
Helen Lightstone, C.Med, received her Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in June 2017. She is a roster mediator with the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program in Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor, and received her paralegal licence in 2008. Helen Lightstone is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario and Canada, the Law Society of Ontario, and the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. She is a past board member of Community Justice Alternatives -Durham Region. She is a graduate of Seneca College, Court and Tribunal Agent Diploma Program. Helen was the program coordinator of the Mediation – Alternative Dispute Resolution Post Graduate Diploma Program at Durham College from 2014-2017.
Bryan Duguid, QC, FCIArb, Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, a member of the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society, and the Chairperson of his firm. He acts as counsel and has been appointed as arbitrator, in international and non-international arbitral disputes including in construction, power, corporate acquisitions, and oil and gas disputes.
Robert Deane, LL.B, is Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's National Leader of the Firm's International Trade and Arbitration Group, and a member of the Partnership Board, the Firm's governing body. Robert practises international and domestic commercial arbitration, commercial litigation, privacy law, intellectual property litigation and advertising/competition law. He is ranked nationally and internationally as a leading lawyer in these areas.
Erin Greenan, Legal Counsel, CNOOC International As Legal Counsel, is responsible for a broad scope of work for matters touching on the company’s Canadian operations, primarily focusing on civil litigation, corporate commercial and privacy law.
Chris O’Connor, Q.C., C.Arb., FCIArb. practiced extensively in the area of commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. He received a BA with Distinction from Carleton University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto in 1976. He completed the Leadership in Law Firms Program at Harvard University in 2009. He has been accredited the designation Chartered Arbitrator by the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Canada and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London, England and is an accredited mediator and arbitrator at the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre. He was recognised by Best Lawyers in Canada as the 2015 Vancouver Construction Lawyer of the Year. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Chambers Canada (construction law) and Best Lawyers in Canada (construction law; director and officer liability; insurance law). He was recognised in Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys (local litigation star – British Columbia). He was recognised in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (construction law). He was listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (construction law; international commercial arbitration; litigation – commercial insurance). He is featured in Who’s Who Legal: Construction and Who’s Who Legal: Canada, as well as the construction chapter in the compendium edition of Who’s Who Legal.
Dr. Marnie Jull is an associate professor and program head for the Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management program. She is an academic, practitioner, author and teacher who specializes in resolving interpersonal, workplace and organizational conflict. She has lived and worked in Thailand, Australia, and the United States. Jull is one of a group of scholar-practitioners developing an innovative insight approach to conflict mediation.
Paul Bradley, CPA, CA, CBV, CFE, CFF, Partner, Valuation Services Deloitte LLP, is a Partner with Deloitte LLP and leads the Valuation Services and Forensic Services practice areas for the firm’s Atlantic Region.
Paul has worked for over 25 years in the professional services industry, and has focused his practice for over 20 years in the areas of business valuation, financial analysis, quantification of business losses and forensic accounting. His practice includes providing financial and related advice to clients and others in matters involving investigations, financings, re-structuring and transactions subject to public scrutiny.
Paul has testified on over 30 occasions as an expert witness in Courts and Arbitration proceedings throughout Atlantic Canada.
Nicole Garton B.A., LL.B., C.Med, TEP, has many years of legal, fiduciary, trust and governance experience. As the principal of Heritage Law, Nicole is a lawyer and mediator practising in the areas of wills and estates and family law. As President of Heritage Trust, Nicole offers fiduciary, escrow and multi-family office services to assist individuals, families and business owners navigate the complexities and opportunities that come with wealth.
Nicole is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Subsection (Vancouver). Nicole is a member the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP), the Estate Planning Council of BC, the BC Collaborative Roster Society, the Civil and Family Rosters of Mediate BC and the BC Parenting Coordinator Roster Society. Nicole is a Chartered Mediator and certified by Family Mediation Canada as a Comprehensive Family Mediator. Nicole is a certified Family Enterprise Advisor.
Nicole received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2001. She is finalizing her Masters of Laws at Osgoode Hall with a focus on dispute resolution for family businesses.
Alyson Jones MA RCC, is the Clinical Director at Alyson Jones & Associates where she leads a team of therapists that specialize in separation and divorce issues. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Child and Family Therapist, Parenting Coordinator, Mediator, Divorce Coach, Author and Educator. She developed and oversees the Family Forward Reunification Program which assists families in navigating through highly complex family issues. Alyson is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Adler University and has been featured in the media sharing her extensive knowledge in regards to divorce and separation issues.
Drawing on her extensive experience in Parent Education, developmental psychology, family systems, high conflict, Collaborative Law, Parenting Coordination, Reunification Therapy and Co-parenting Counselling Alyson has assisted many families in reducing conflict, staying focused on the best interests of the children and working towards a healthier resolution for the entire family.
Chair: Andrew Eckart, Mediator, Eckart Mediation and Chair of ADRIC's ODR Task Force, is a lawyer, mediator, and principal of Eckart Mediation. After receiving his law degree and clerking at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, he worked in private practice in the areas of class action and personal injury litigation. He now mediates a variety of civil disputes including personal injury, employment, insurance, contractual, construction and estate matters. He is the chair of the ADRIC ODR Task Force and teaches Tort law at the University of Windsor's Faculty of Law. Andrew lives and practices in Windsor, Ontario.
Candice Lee, PMP, Digital Delivery, Legal Services Society; is a certified Project Management Professional responsible for overseeing the LSS websites and online resources. She is manager of Digital Delivery (DD) -- a new department formed in the summer of 2018 -- embarking on transforming the delivery of legal information and legal services at LSS into the digital age to expand access to justice for all. Candice is leading the DD team to develop new tools and best practices, to promote the adoption of new platforms both inside and outside the organization, and to increase the reach of LSS through social media. Candice has managed MyLawBC from idea stage through its release in May 2016, including the latest developments in providing online family mediation, a service that went live in July 2019. Candice enjoys the arts in general, including making pottery and watching films.
Kandis McCall, Director of Case Management, Civil Resolution Tribunal; is the Director of Case Management for the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), where she oversees the mandatory mediation component of the CRT’s dispute resolution process.
After receiving her law degree and mediation training from the University of British Columbia in 2002, Kandis worked for a brief period in private practice in Greater Vancouver. In 2006 she joined the Residential Tenancy Branch where she worked as an arbitrator and team lead until joining the CRT in 2016.
Kandis is passionate about access to justice and addressing barriers that prevent meaningful participation where dispute resolution activities take place in an online forum.
Shelina Neallani is a mediator, lawyer and consultant. Shelina graduated from UBC with degrees in Social Work and Law and has been called to the Bars of Ontario and BC. With over 27 years of combined training and professional experience, Shelina brings a wide and varied expertise to her work. She started mediating in 2002 and is a member of Mediate BC’s Civil, Family and Child Protections Rosters, an accredited Family Law Mediator and Arbitrator with the Law Society of BC and a registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers. In addition to her private mediation practice, which includes conflict coaching, training and facilitation in the workplace, Shelina has consulted for clients such as Legal Services Society, Mediate BC and the Province of British Columbia, specializing in projects related to dispute resolution. Recent consultancy examples include projects on justice transformation initiatives and dispute resolution systems design. Shelina is a published writer and has taught at the post-secondary level. She is interested in inter-cultural issues in conflict resolution. Shelina is on the Board of Directors for the North Shore Multicultural Society.
Darin Thompson, Legal Counsel, BC Ministry of Attorney General, is Legal Counsel with the BC Ministry of Attorney General. He has helped to initiate multiple projects using online dispute resolution (ODR) directly in the public justice system and is a former member of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations Working Group on ODR.
Peer-to-Peer Facilitated Conversations:
William G. Horton, C.Arb, FCIArb, William G. Horton Corporation practices as an arbitrator in international and Canadian business disputes. Prior to establishing his current practice, he served as head of litigation at two major Canadian law firms.
He has been appointed tribunal chair, sole arbitrator and party nominee in over 120 substantial disputes. His arbitration appointments include cases involving oil and gas and alternative energy disputes, nuclear facilities, telecom, satellite and wireless industry disputes, government privatization contracts, national advertising campaigns, cross-border distribution agreements, software licensing and other intellectual property and shareholder agreements.
Jim McCartney, C.Arb, C.Med, is a Calgary lawyer since 1973 and developed a senior litigation practice including major refinery fire, building, and products liability claims. is a Chartered Mediator and Chartered Arbitrator, Past President of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (now ADR Institute of Alberta), and a Director of the ADR Institute of Canada. He is or has been on the mediation rosters of the Provincial and Queen’s Bench courts, the General Insurance OmbudService, the Alberta Land Surveyors Association, and the Energy Resources Conservation Board and the arbitration rosters of the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Better Business Bureau, ICDR, and the Alberta New Home Warranty Program, and Chair of three NEB Pipeline Arbitration Committees.
Gordon C. White works with leaders to develop conflict competent teams and organizations. Additionally, Gordon has had a general mediation practice for 20 plus years. He teaches a graduate course in conflict management at Royal Roads University, and trains for the Justice Institute at both the Centre for Leadership and Centre for Conflict Resolution. He blogged for several years at the conflictjourney.com where he provides both depth perspectives and practical advice on effective conflict engagement. In 2018 Gordon and his colleague Julia Menard launched the On Conflict Podcast which addresses the larger challenges to mankind in the area of conflict and dispute resolution.
For the last 20 years, Julia Menard, M.Ed., has explored the nexus between conflict and leadership in organizational settings through coaching, mediating and training. She got her start in the field as a volunteer community mediator and through that experience started to see where conflict engagement works and where it doesn’t. Since then, she co-led a victim-offender mediation program for a few years, published a book on restorative justice, created materials on conflict for government departments and trained mediators.
Jane Morley, QC practiced as a civil litigator in Victoria for over 20 years in the areas of labour and employment, personal injury and family law. She converted her practice to mediation and arbitration in the 1990s, but continues to have a strong sense of justice and an analytical, problem-solving approach to her work. She acts as a bridge to develop trust between people and assist them to engage constructively in their conflict to achieve their goals. In 2008 and 2009 she was a Commissioner on Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and worked on the development of a national restorative justice process to address Canada’s legacy of broken relationships resulting from the Indian Residential School experience. By calling, she is a leader of organizational and social change, especially in the areas justice reform and reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples.
Patricia Lane JD, C.Med, C.Arb, has a Certified Family Arbitrator, Parenting Coordinator and a member of several mediation professional organizations. Has more than twenty years' experience in applying and teaching alternate dispute resolution including mediation in many fields including family business, partnership break-ups, aboriginal issues, tax policy, construction, pensions, shareholder disputes, estates, sexual orientation, and many others. She has almost 20 years' experience working with families trying to avoid using the court system to work through their parenting and property division disputes on separation and divorce and practices child-centered mediation which means decisions must work from the children's perspective.
Kat Bellamano BSW, RSW, FMC Cert. CFM has been a dispute resolution practitioner for 15 years. Most of her work is with families and she specializes in working with participants with multiple challenges including high conflict, trauma, health or mental health issues, substance use or addiction challenges, child protection involvement, a history of violence or anger issues, or intercultural issues.
Joan Cotie, C.Med, C.Arb, C.Fam. Arb., RSW, is committed to working with clients to create dynamic, healthy relationships for families and organizations. Joan’s work is multi-disciplinary. She is a registered social worker, mediator and arbitrator with more than 35 years of experience. Joan is able to apply her skills and knowledge from these professions to build agreements that are unique and meet the needs of all clients. Joan’s experience with the not-for-profit sector, union and labour sector, and with children, youth and families gives her a multi-faceted perspective and knowledge.
Jennifer Cooper, Q.C. is an Accredited Family Law Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator. She has had over 30 years of experience helping couples resolve their family law issues through negotiation, litigation, mediation, arbitration, coordination and collaboration. She has also served her profession in many roles: for 8 years as an elected Law Society Bencher, for 6 years as an elected Bar Association Executive Member (including President), for 8 years as an elected CBA National Family Law Section Board Member (including Chairperson), and for 6 years as an elected CBIA/Lawyers Financial Board Member (including Executive). A law firm partner for many years in Winnipeg, she moved to Victoria 5 years ago and started her own independent ADR practice: Cooper Family Law.
Michelle Maniago is a partner in Borden Ladner Gervais’ Corporate Commercial Litigation Department in their Vancouver office. She is currently a regional lead of BLG's Appellate Advocacy Group and is also a member of BLG’s Class Action and International Trade and Arbitration Groups. Michelle practises in the area of civil litigation, class actions, and arbitration, with an emphasis on commercial and corporate disputes. Michelle has extensive experience with class action proceedings in Canada, particularly in the areas of consumer protection claims, competition claims and banking-related claims. She also has specialized experience with complex commercial litigation, corporate governance, advertising / competition law, plans of arrangement, privacy law (including access to information requests), and inter-jurisdictional evidentiary matters (including obtaining and enforcing Letters Rogatory or Letters of Request). She regularly acts as counsel in international and domestic arbitrations. She is currently the Chair of ADRIC’s Under 40 Forum, and served on ADRIC’s board of directors for the past three years.
Dominique Panko, Q.Med is a mediator at Panko Collaborative Law and Mediation (Saskatoon) and paralegal driven by the clients she serves and how best to fit their needs. She brings fresh eyes to the legal world and hopes to do divorce differently. Dominique specializes in mediation for young couples, roommates, sports organizations and housing organizations.
Regular conference sessions resume
Chair: Robert Bales, P.Eng, LL.B, Adjudicate.ca, Robert Bales is an engineer with thirty years of hands-on residential, commercial and civil construction experience combined with a 20-year solo legal practice (now retired) restricted to real estate and property development in Ottawa, and twenty years as an arbitrator and now as a construction adjudicator. He has developed and built about 700 residential units, together with commercial and residential refits and renovations. His experience as an arbitrator and adjudicator extend from very modest claims under the Tarion Builder Arbitration Forum to high value, complex civil claims under the Ontario MTO Referee Process. With diverse backgrounds in both construction and legal matters, his present activities are focused on the implementation and development of construction adjudication across Canada, while serving as an adjudicator over the full spectrum of claims.
John Fletcher, B.Comm, LL.B, M.Phil, Ph.D, RICS Dispute Resolution Service
Duncan Glaholt, FCIArb, Glaholt LLP is the founder of the leading construction law firm Glaholt LLP. Mr. Glaholt has practiced in the area of construction law since his call to the Bar of Ontario in 1979. Mr. Glaholt's advocacy practice covers a wide range of disputes in the energy, infrastructure development and resource extraction industries, including wind, solar and nuclear power, chemical and other plants, pipelines, refineries, power plants, road building and other projects of scale.
Bruce Reynolds, is a partner in Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP’s construction and infrastructure practice group and co-chair of the firm’s international construction projects group. He specializes in the resolution of construction and insurance claims, liens, surety bond claims, product liability issues, and architects’ and engineers’ errors and omissions issues. In addition, he advises clients on construction projects in Canada, the United States and overseas.
William A. Eddy, LCSW, Esq, is a lawyer, therapist and mediator. He is the co-founder and Training Director of the High Conflict Institute based in San Diego, California. William provides training on the subject of high-conflict personalities to lawyers, mediators, judges, mental health professionals and others. He has presented in over 30 states and ten countries. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with 12 years’ experience counseling children, adults, couples and families in psychiatric hospitals and outpatient clinics. For the past 26 years, he has also been a lawyer, representing clients in family court (as a Certified Family Law Specialist) and providing divorce mediation services.
Michael Lomax, JD is a mediator and conflict resolution trainer who has assisted many individuals and organizations in dealing with high conflict personalities. Michael practised family law for 22 years and has conducted hundreds of mediations including workplace, family and court related matters. He has designed and delivered many high conflict trainings for lawyers, mediators, government, corporations, military and law enforcement agencies, human resources and union organizations across Canada and the United States. Michael joined the BC Public Service Agency in 2015 as the Conflict Management Lead where he is leading the design and delivery of conflict management services, including coaching, mediation and training to resolve workplace disputes. Michael also served on the Board of Directors for Mediate BC from 2013-2015 and is currently a non-practising member of the Law Society of BC. Michael has been an Associate Speaker/Trainer with the High Conflict Institute for 7 years.
Mike Lamothe, LL.M (ADR) currently seconded to the Ottawa Police Association as a Labour Relations Officer from the Ottawa Police Service. He has been at the OPA for the last 6.5 years and represents 2000 members. Prior to this he was 15 years with the OPS and held the rank of sergeant.
Richard Moore, LL.B., C.Arb, C.Med, CFM, Cert. Med. IMI has over 30 years’ experience in conflict management. Mediating since 1990 after retiring from law practice, he has conducted over twenty-five hundred mediations including mediations in complex multi-party situations, and in various contexts including: employment and workplace, policing, hospitals and health care, human rights, indigenous people’s issues, public policy, estates, real estate, professional responsibility, personal injury, insurance, construction, family and property disputes. He is an associate at the Canadian Centre for Conflict Management (CCCM).
Lorna Lemay achieved her Bachelor of Arts (Criminology/Law), two years of law school, and is certified by the International Association of Public Participation, International Association of Facilitators, Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR), and Community Mediation Ottawa. She is passionate about helping people and offers her skills as a mediator, facilitator, trainer, business strategist, and partnership builder in service to the community. At present, she acts as an expert advisor to the CICR Board and Director of Community Mediation Ottawa. Her work history includes the Federal Court of Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and senior public affairs executive with a national, not-for-profit organization. Lorna is the President of LL Concord Consultation & Mediation Services Inc., co-founder/CEO of a registered children’s charity, “Chance Foundation” and Board member of ForGiving, ForRestoring Canada.
Friday November 22, 2019
Chair: Sarah McEachern, JD, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Gerry Bliss, Information Risk Management Advisor and Adjunct Professor at University of Victoria
Hilary Palmer, Vice President, Marsh Canada Limited joined Marsh in 2004 and has been involved in placing various insurance programs and servicing her clients’ daily risk management needs and requirements. Over the years she has increased her experience by working on diverse accounts using creative solutions which require unique skill sets. She has been involved in Cyber insurance for the last number of years in various capacities.
As the owner and principal of Katalyst Resolutions, Paul Godin has expertise in mediation, negotiation, investigations, conflict management systems design, workplace restoration and workplace/conflict coaching. Paul is a highly experienced professional negotiation and dispute resolution trainer and ADR practitioner, based in Victoria, but operating globally. He has designed and led more than 450 courses on negotiation, mediation skills, conflict resolution, dealing with challenging people and situations, dispute resolution, and conflict management system design worldwide. Paul has been selected as a roster mediator with the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program–Toronto, the Civil Roster of Mediate BC, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne), the Ontario Energy Board, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, A.A.N.D.C. (Aboriginal Issues), ICOM/WIPO, the Trinidad & Tobago Mediation Board, the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement DR Board, and the NWT Family Law Mediation Program, and is designated a Chartered Mediator. He serves as the chair of the Professional Development Committee for the national CBA ADR Section.
Anne Gottlieb, B.A. LL.M is a skilled mediator and negotiator with expertise in dispute resolution and conflict management. She creates durable solutions to seemingly impassable situations and inspires confidence in those at the table. Anne has designed and delivered training programs in both legal and business environments and in community and not for profit organizations and is a much sought after speaker.
Eugene Raponi, QC, Waddell Raponi LLP has been practicing law since 1982 and is a founding partner of Waddell Raponi LLP. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 2009. Eugene practices primarily in the area of family law. He has a significant practice as a Mediator and Arbitrator, predominantly in the area of family law and estates. He is also a member of the Victoria Collaborative Family Law Group. Eugene focuses his practice on bringing families to peaceful resolutions in what are often stressful circumstances.
Michelle Simpson, C.Med, C.Arb is a Chartered Mediator, Chartered Arbitrator, and holds a Juris Doctor (law degree) from the University of Ottawa (bilingual program). Michelle also holds a Certificate in Conflict Management from the ADR Institute of Alberta with skills assessment and a Certificate in Arbitration from the ADR Institute of Alberta. Michelle is a current member of the Board of Directors of ADRIA and teaches the AD RIC Arbitration Course in Edmonton.
Viki Scott, RC (c); BSc; RRP; CHRM; MBA; ADR(c), has an extensive history with both the public and private sectors, primarily in unionized environments. She has lead significant change management initiatives for major public, non for profit and private sector organizations. Recently, she has successfully negotiated a number of Collective Bargaining Agreements without the inclusion of an “interest Arbitrator”.
Chair: Emilia Pech, Legal Counsel, Department of Justice Canada, PT Professor, UOttawa Faculty of Law and Saint Paul University Conflict Studies Program, is an experienced lawyer, mediator and trainer with diverse experience. Track record of providing strategic and legal advice to senior officials on complex and sensitive issues. An effective communicator able to synthesize different perspectives. Experience leading teams, working internationally, and developing and implementing new initiatives. Excel at mentoring and developing team member talent. Committed to quality and building constructive peer, client and stakeholder relationships.
Jereme Brooks, Child Protection Mediator from the Okanagan, focusing on youth and indigenous issues; is a Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator who works in the areas of both Family Law and Child Protection. The primary focus of his practice is helping families in high conflict situations, and particularly those families dealing with Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Family Violence issues. Mr. Brooks is a member of the Okanagan First Nation, from Vernon, BC, and brings that perspective into his Dispute Resolution processes. He has presented workshops on Working with Hard to Serve & High-Risk Populations, Engaging with Indigenous Communities and Diversity in Dispute Resolution for CLEBC, CoRe Clinic, and the UBC Learning Circle.
Sheridan Barnett, a mediator for the Nunavut Human Rights Commission and in the private sector;
Matti Lemmens, LL.B, is a partner in Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Commercial Litigation Group, and the Environmental Group Leader in our Calgary office. Matti practices in all areas of commercial litigation. In particular, she has experience representing Canadian and international clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including both domestic and international arbitrations.
Norm Emblem, LL.B, is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group of Dentons' Toronto office. Although his practice focuses on securities related class action litigation, Norm has a very broad-ranging commercial litigation and advocacy practice which includes class action defense, securities, auditor’s negligence, CCAA, banking and insolvency litigation, professional negligence, high-end disability income claims, insurance defence, shareholders’ disputes, Coroners’ inquests and human rights litigation.
As Senior Vice President of Business Development, Michael Mooney has more than a decade of government administration expertise and experience having worked on some of the largest, most intricate and notable class action settlement and voluntary redress programs in Canada.
Colm Brannigan, C.Arb, C.Med has over 20 years of full-time experience in conflict management and alternative dispute resolution and is recognized as one of Ontario’s leading mediators and arbitrators in condominium related disputes. He also focuses on the resolution of construction (including green energy), commercial, insurance and real property disputes using mediation, med-arbitration and arbitration processes. He is an associate at the Canadian Centre for Conflict Management (CCCM).
Arlene H. Henry, QC is committed to helping individuals, families, communities, and organizations work through conflict and transition to find solutions best suited to their situation. Throughout her more than 30 years of legal and conflict resolution experience, Arlene has built her practice on understanding how best to design effective bridges of communication for her clients. She has a facilitative yet directive style and her primary aim is to assist participants in identifying and achieving their custom solutions within an informal, yet pragmatic environment.
Allan P. Seckel, QC, CEO, Doctors of BC; was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Doctors of BC in October 2011. He began his career as a lawyer at Russell & DuMoulin, and was a partner of the merged firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. In 2003, he started working for the provincial government as Deputy Attorney General, and later became the Deputy Minister to Premier Gordon Campbell and Head of the BC Public Service. In addition to a commerce and economics degree from SFU, Allan holds a Bachelor of Law from UVIC and a Master of Laws from Cambridge University. Allan serves on a number of boards, including Covenant House Vancouver and the TELUS Vancouver Community Board.
Elton Simoes, C.Med, Q.Arb is an accomplished, Arbitrator, Mediator, Negotiator, Consultant, Non-executive Director, and Business Executive. He practices arbitration, mediation and Med-Arb in complex, confidential, time sensitive, commercial disputes involving shareholders, consumers, intellectual property, technology, media, entertainment and sports.
Ken Ashdown, Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management Practitioner, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada proudly serves as Conflict Management Practitioner with the Department of National Defence, in the Conflict & Complaint Management Services (CCMS) Centre at CFB Esquimalt. In private practice he is President of Fifth House Group, a Vancouver-based partnership specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution, team building, and leadership development for the creative industries. Drawing on his extensive experience in senior management in the high tech, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, from start-ups to major multinational corporations, he is co-author (with Helene Arts) of Conflict Resolution for Musicians (and Other Cool People) and Keep the Drama in Front of the Camera! Conflict Resolution for Film and Television.
E. Grant Whittla, MMM, CD, MA, is a 35 year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, who has served in a multitude of junior and senior leadership positions in many far-flung places in Canada and abroad. The majority of his career was spent in the Signals Intelligence domain, culminating as the Deputy Head of Intelligence in the Maritime Forces Pacific Formation. His final posting in the CAF before transitioning to the Public Service was as the Commanding Officer of the CFB Esquimalt Base Information Services Branch as a Lieutenant-Colonel (Acting While So Employed).
Bruce McIvor, PhD, First Peoples Law Corp.; is principal of First Peoples Law Corporation, a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing Aboriginal title, Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights. His work includes both litigation and negotiation on behalf of Indigenous Peoples. Bruce is dedicated to public education. He recently published the third edition of his collection of essays entitled First Peoples Law: Essays in Canadian Law and Decolonization. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law where he teaches the constitutional law of Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Bruce is a proud Métis from the Red River in Manitoba. He holds a law degree, a Ph.D. in Aboriginal and environmental history, and is a Fulbright Scholar. Bruce is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading practitioner of Aboriginal law in Canada.
Dr Roshan Danesh, is a lawyer, conflict resolution innovator, and educator whose areas of work, teaching, and writing include constitutional law, Indigenous rights, international peace-building, and leadership and organizational change. Roshan completed his S.J.D at Harvard Law School and LL.B at the University of Victoria, and has taught at many academic institutions including the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria. For the last 15 years Roshan has worked extensively on advancing Indigenous title and rights and reconciliation, including advising the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous nations across the country, as well as the federal, provincial, and local governments. Concurrently, he has also advised governments and organizations around the world, including the United Nations, in the areas of peace-building, human rights, proactive conflict-resolution, organizational management and change, and leadership. One of his recent publications is “Operationalizing Indigenous Consent through Land-Use Planning” for the Institute for Research on Public Policy.
Christina Gray, LL.M. Candidate, J.D., B.A., is Ts'msyen and Dene-Metis, a lawyer, and LL.M. Candidate at the University of Victoria. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degree. She currently is a graduate student researcher at the Indigenous Law Research Unit, a Yellowhead Institute Research Fellow, and board of director at Coast Funds.
Prof. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Lawyer, Judge, and Legislative Advocate For Children's Rights
David Wotherspoon, MA, LL.B, Dentons Canada LLP is a partner in and lead of Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution group in Vancouver. With a focus on corporate and commercial disputes, David’s practice encompasses all areas of litigation and dispute resolution. He has extensive experience in matters that relate to injunctions and Anton Piller orders, defamation and free speech, intellectual property and software disputes, crisis management, professional liability, shareholder disputes and fraud investigations.
Robert Wickett, Q.C., Managing Partner of MacKenzie Fujisawa, LLP., is a trial lawyer specializing in commercial and administrative litigation with an emphasis on environmental matters. He also has extensive experience in real estate and leasing litigation and serves as BC real estate litigation counsel for one of Canada’s major food retailers.
Bob also acts in employment and human rights tribunal matters and as counsel in the criminal courts for those charged with regulatory and commercial crime offences.
In his environmental law practice he has performed many environmental due diligence and compliance assessments of forestry, mining, fisheries and manufacturing businesses.
Bob is also Vice Chair of the Environmental Appeal Board, Vice Chair of the Forest Appeals Commission, and a member of the Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal of British Columbia. In this capacity he has written numerous judgements on environmental, forestry and First Nations issues. Bob has also acted as an arbitrator in various commercial matters and has written numerous arbitral awards.
John-Paul E. Boyd, A.O.C.A. M.A.LL.B, John-Paul Boyd Arbitration Chambers
Gary Caplan, Partner, Mason Caplan Roti LLP
Leslie Dizgun, C.Med, D. Jur., LL.M., conducts a sophisticated commercial litigation and employment law practice. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Dizgun is a well-respected mediator and arbitrator of commercial and employment disputes. He is a member of the ADR Chambers expert panels. The ADR Chambers is the largest alternative dispute resolution service provider in the world. Mr. Dizgun has been very successful in resolving difficult and complex proceedings.
Mr. Dizgun has a Master of Laws degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he is also an adjunct professor. He has taught Civil Procedure, the Senior Colloquium in Dispute Resolution and the Administration of Justice, and continues to teach Dispute Settlement in the Civil Justice System.
Murray Walker, C.Med, The Dispute Resolution Office, Government of Saskatchewan
Viki Scott, RC (c); BSc; RRP; CHRM; MBA; ADR(c), has an extensive history with both the public and private sectors, primarily in unionized environments. She has lead significant change management initiatives for major public, non for profit and private sector organizations. Recently, she has successfully negotiated a number of Collective Bargaining Agreements without the inclusion of an “interest Arbitrator”.
Jereme Brooks, Child Protection Mediator from the Okanagan, focusing on youth and indigenous issues; is a Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator who works in the areas of both Family Law and Child Protection. The primary focus of his practice is helping families in high conflict situations, and particularly those families dealing with Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Family Violence issues. Mr. Brooks is a member of the Okanagan First Nation, from Vernon, BC, and brings that perspective into his Dispute Resolution processes. He has presented workshops on Working with Hard to Serve & High-Risk Populations, Engaging with Indigenous Communities and Diversity in Dispute Resolution for CLEBC, CoRe Clinic, and the UBC Learning Circle.
Sierra Wells, B.A., Child Protection Mediator, is from the Wuikinuxv people of Rivers Inlet on her mother’s side and Irish and English on her late father’s side. She has been supporting people to have tough discussions for 11 years.
Rajit Mittal, JD is an associate in Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution group in Vancouver, where he represents national and regional clients in complex corporate and commercial litigation. He has particular expertise in reputation and crisis management, and advises individuals and corporations in a variety of sectors including healthcare, education, and entertainment.
Lauren Tomasich, Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, is a Partner in the Osler litigation group and a key contact for the Commercial Arbitration and ADR Group. Her corporate litigation practice has particular emphasis on class action defence, securities litigation, regulatory investigations and international commercial arbitration. She represents various companies facing class actions in a variety of circumstances, including claims of environmental property damages, securities, product liability and pensions and benefits. She has experience at all stages of a class proceeding, including certification motions, various procedural motions, a large common issues trial and appeal, and costs proceedings. In the regulatory sphere, Lauren has experience with securities regulatory investigations involving multiple Canadian jurisdictions, and also in the cross-border context. Lauren's international commercial arbitration work has been primarily focused on the mining and resource industries. Lauren has experience with arbitrations under a variety of procedural rules, including as well as in ad hoc arbitrations.
Lisa Arora, B.Ed, LisaArora.com is an expert in the field of visual facilitation, a comprehensive family mediator and a passionate pioneer of visual mediation methods. Her leading edge, approach to mediation harnesses the power of visual communication to increase parties’ engagement in the process and empower them more fully in their decision making. In addition to her private mediation practice, Lisa is a speaker and the creator of the BIG Beginnings in Visual Mediation online program, the world’s only online program that teaches dispute resolution practitioners how to amplify the effect of any intervention with visuals.
Lani deHek is a Registered Nurse, a Certified Disability Management Professional and an Auditor for the Consensus Based Disability Management Audit. She has over 30 years’ experience in the health sector, most recently focused on disability management and labour relations.
Angela Bespflug, Class Action Lawyer, Klein Lawyers LLP
Kathleen Keating, Adjudicator, Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat
Lee Schmidt, Associate Director, Indigenous Legal Studies, Peter A. Allard School of Law, The University of British Columbia, has a Diploma in Public Sector Management from the University of Victoria and a Native Adult Instructor Diploma (PIDP) from the Okanangan University College. Lee was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2003 and practiced until 2016 at a Vancouver firm specializing in Aboriginal law on behalf of Indigenous peoples. Her practice included treaty negotiations, Aboriginal rights and title litigation and consultation processes, traditional use studies, and land use planning. From 2008 to 2016, Lee exclusively represented survivors of Indian Residential Schools in the Independent Assessment Process (IAP) of the national class action settlement. Prior to her legal career, Lee worked for four years for the Sto:lo in adult education and employment initiatives. Lee was born and raised in British Columbia. Her ancestry is Cree-Metis from Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan from her father, Louis Schmidt, and Dutch from her mother Lisa. Lee is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Indigenous Bar Association.
Colm Brannigan,C.Arb, C.Med has over 20 years of full-time experience in conflict management and alternative dispute resolution and is recognized as one of Ontario’s leading mediators and arbitrators in condominium related disputes. He also focuses on the resolution of construction (including green energy), commercial, insurance and real property disputes using mediation, med-arbitration and arbitration processes. He is an associate at the Canadian Centre for Conflict Management (CCCM).
Elton Simoes, C.Med, Q.Arb is an accomplished, Arbitrator, Mediator, Negotiator, Consultant, Non-executive Director, and Business Executive. He practices arbitration, mediation and Med-Arb in complex, confidential, time sensitive, commercial disputes involving shareholders, consumers, intellectual property, technology, media, entertainment and sports.
Register now!
Registration Rates Registration closes Monday November 18, 11:59pm |
Rate | ||
Two-Day Conference November 21 & 22 | ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfasts, lunches, refreshments and Thursday Cocktail Reception | $ 650.00 |
Non Members* | $ 750.00 | ||
Student Rate: Full-time studies only – must provide proof of enrollment from an accredited facility | $ 495.00 | ||
Thursday only
November 21 |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and Cocktail Reception | $ 375.00 |
Non Members* | $ 450.00 | ||
Student Rate: Full-time studies only – must provide proof of enrollment from an accredited facility | $ 280.00 | ||
Friday only
November 22 |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments | $ 350.00 |
Non Members* | $ 425.00 | ||
Student Rate: Full-time studies only – must provide proof of enrollment from an accredited facility | $ 260.00 | ||
Pre-Conference A only
Wednesday |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments | $ 550.00 |
Non Members* (student rate not available) | $ 650.00 | ||
Pre-Conference A Rate
if purchased with any other conference registration |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments | $ 500.00 |
Non Members* (student rate not available) | $ 600.00 | ||
Pre-Conference B1 or B2 only
Wednesday |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast or lunch and refreshments | $ 349.00 |
Non Members* (student rate not available) (Become a member within 14 business days of registration, and receive a refund for your difference in the registration fees for members and non-members – contact your regional Affiliate.) |
$ 400.00 | ||
Pre-Conference B1 or B2 Rate
if purchased with any other conference registration |
ADRIC and Affiliate Members | includes continental breakfast or lunch and refreshments | $ 299.00 |
Non Members* (student rate not available) | $ 350.00 | ||
Members and MLA’s Meet and Greet with Wine/ Beer & Nibbles (November 20, 7:00pm). Includes hors d’oeuvres, 2 drinks and then cash bar. |
$ 50.00 | ||
Cocktail Reception attendance only (November 21, 5:30pm). If you are registering for the full conference or for Thursday only, this is included. | $ 75.00 | ||
Thursday Luncheon attendance only (November 21). If you are registering for the full conference or for Thursday only, this is included. | $ 50.00 | ||
Friday Luncheon attendance only (November 22). If you are registering for the full conference or for Friday only, this is included. | $ 50.00 |
Please note: All sessions, speakers and timing subject to change.
Important information
*Become a member within 14 business days of registration*, and receive a refund for the difference in the registration fees for members and non-members – contact your regional Affiliate.
*No exceptions
Registration closes Monday November 18, 11:59pm
** CANCELLATION POLICY **
If you are unable to attend, your registration is fully transferable to another person in your organization. If you must cancel, notice must be received in writing. All refund requests received on or prior to October 31st, 2019 will receive a refund less a 20% administrative fee; those received on or after November 1st will receive a refund less 50%. No refunds after November 11, 2019.
Please note: ADRIC does not provide letters of invitation for visas.
This year’s Conference will be held at the superb Fairmont Empress Victoria located on Vancouver Island.
Special ADRIC group rate: $199/night (ends October 25th, 2019 or when block is used up – book early.)
To book your accommodation for the ADRIC Conference 2019, click here!
Toll Free (Room Reservations only): 1-800-257-7544
Tel + 1 250 384 8111
Travel Deals
WestJet is happy to offer:
- 10% off all fares* for travel on WestJet-operated flights into and out of Victoria;
- 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for travel on their Delta codeshare partners.
To take advantage of this offer, please visit www.westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online and use the discount code listed below:
Coupon code: S59VJ16
Promo code (for call in reference only): WVV72
Travel from: November 13 – 29, 2019
Changes/cancellations
You can change or cancel reservations within 24 hours of booking at no charge. Further changes or cancellations can be made up to 2 hours prior to the flight; please note additional fees or charges may apply for each guest depending on fare class booked and differences in fare. Check out our service fees page for more information.
Flight information about Victoria, BC
Victoria Sight Seeing, Events & Attractions
CVS Tours to Butchart Gardens https://www.cvstours.com/sightseeing-tours/butchart-gardens/
https://www.butchartgardens.com/autumn/
Victoria Hop-on-Hop-off tours https://sightseeingvictoria.com/tour/
Ghostly Walks https://discoverthepast.com/ghostly-walks/
The Robert Bateman Centre https://batemancentre.org/exhibits/
Royal BC Museum https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/exhibitions/current-exhibitions
Victoria Tourism website https://www.tourismvictoria.com/
Your support and commitment to ADR and ADRIC means a lot to us, view our sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor opportunities!
Benefits include:
- Valuable exposure to the “right” audience: your logo and/or name displayed in flyers, brochures, promotional email blasts and all other conference materials prior to the conference
- Electronic signage (rotating in numerous rooms and plenary) at the conference
- Speaking opportunities (silver, gold, platinum and diamond levels)
- Complimentary registration for you and/or your clients or colleagues
- Advance access to Registration List (of those who agree to be published)
- Exhibitor opportunities or placement of promotional materials
Top-tier sponsorships are time-sensitive and are determined on a first-come first-served basis. Contact us early for the best opportunities!
ADR Institute of Canada – Continuing Education & Engagement (CEE) points:
Pre-Conference A is approved for 13 ADRIC CEE points.
Pre-Conferences B and C are each approved for 6.5 ADRIC CEE points.
The two-day Conference is approved for 24 ADRIC CEE points.
Here are the conference sessions that received CPD approvals from law societies. Please click on your province to unfold detailed information.
Note: The Barreau du Québec no longer accredits CPD courses; it is up to members to self-declare any activities in their online training statement according to Barreau criteria.
Pre-Conference "A" - Aboriginal Consultation ‐ a Workshop for Industry, Government, and Indigenous People, contains 6 hours 30 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours. ADRIC 2019 Two-day Conference - The following concurrent breakout sessions contain Professionalism Hours and/or Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Professionalism Hours, as outlined: Arbitration Stream: ADR Process Stream: Family/Community ADR Stream: Special Interest Stream: Indigenous ADR Stream: Keynote Presentation by The Hon. Sheilah Martin, Supreme Court of Canada: Was ADR ever really "alternative"? ADR's role in bridging legal systems and challenging the status quo, contains 40 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours Note: The balance of minutes from the above sessions may be eligible for Substantive Hours. Substantive Hours: Only Professionalism Hours must be accredited by the Law Society. Lawyers and paralegals must determine for themselves whether an activity is an eligible educational activity for CPD and qualifies for Substantive Hours. For more information about Substantive Hours, please see LSO CPD requirements. NEW Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Hours: The 2-day Conference is approved for 12.0 hours, 4.0 of which is Ethics. The ethics hours apply to the following sessions:
Pre-Conference A is approved for 6.5 hours.
Pre-Conferences B & C are each approved for 3.25 hours.
The 2-day Conference is approved for 13 hours.
Pre-Conference A is approved for 6.5 hours.
Pre-Conferences B & C are each approved for 3.25 hours.
The 2-day Conference is approved for 11.5 hours.
1C - Ethics in Arbitration, contains 60 minutes of Professionalism Hours.
1F – Clause Drafting and Jurisdictional Issues, contains 15 minutes of Professionalism Hours.
1E - Data Hacks, Attacks and Breaches: How to Manage Cybersecurity Risks in a Changing Technological World, contains 60 minutes Professionalism Hours.
1H - Arbitration Conflicts, contains 1 hour and 15 minutes of Professionalism Hours.
2A – Confidentiality! Privacy! Conflict of Interest!, contains 60 minutes of Professionalism Hours.
2B - Building Conflict Capacity Through Insight, contains 30 minutes of Professionalism Hours, and 5 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours.
2C - Addressing the Causes Rather Than the Symptoms: Working with Leaders to Create Conflict Competent Cultures, contains 45 minutes of Professionalism hours.
2D - Mediating High Conflict Disputes: Using a Proposal Focused Process, contains 1 hour and 15 minutes of Professionalism hours.
2E ‐ Mediating From a Distance ̶ Tools From the Front Line, contains 1 hour of Professionalism hours.
2G ‐ Court‐annexed Mediation: Deconstructing Justice, contains 60 minutes of Professionalism hours.
3A - The Growing Practice of Elder Mediation, contains 35 minutes of Professionalism Hours, and 25 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours.
3G ‐ Transference / Compassion Fatigue, contains 1 hour and 15 minutes of Professionalism hours.
4B ‐ ODR: Is it Mainstream Yet?, contains 25 minutes of Professionalism Hours and 5 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours.
4C ‐ Under 40: Barriers and Opportunities, contains 60 minutes of Professionalism Hours.
4E ‐ Intercultural Competency on the Road to Reconciliation, contains 1 hour and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours.
4F - ADR and Indigenous Legal Orders, contains 1 hour and 30minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours.
4G-How to be an Ally 101, contains 1 hour and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours
4H-ADR in the Indian Residential Schools, 1 hour and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Hours
*Effective January 1, 2018, LSO lawyers and paralegals must complete the CPD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Requirement. Lawyers and paralegals must complete a total of 3 Professionalism Hours that focus on advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in the lawyer and paralegal professions between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Each year thereafter, lawyers and paralegals must complete 1 Professionalism Hour that addresses issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. These hours count towards the 3 CPD Professionalism Hours required each year. See Changes to the CPD Requirement for background information on the CPD EDI Requirement.
Pre-Conference A is approved for 6.5 hours.
Pre-Conferences B & C are each approved for 3.25 hours.
Pre-Conference A is approved for 6.5 hours, and qualifies for Ethics.
Pre-Conference C is approved for 3.25 hours.
2A_Confidentiality! Privacy! Conflict of Interest!
2B_Building Conflict Capacity Through Insight
1C_Ethics in Arbitration
1E_Data Hacks, Attacks and Breaches: How to Manage Cybersecurity Risks in a Changing Technological World
4E_Intercultural Competency on the Road to Reconciliation
Pre-Conference A is approved for 6.5 hours.
Pre-Conferences B & C are each approved for 3.25 hours.
Conference Day 1 (November 21) is approved for 8 hours.
Conference Day 2 (November 22) is approved for 7 hours.
Our past conferences were very well received by the attendees. Have a look at some testimonials and a video from the 2016 Conference.
All the documents you need are available on this page for download.
This page is only accessible for registrants with a password.
Our sponsors
Independent Supporters
Joan Cotie
Kat Bellamano
Craig Neville
O’Connor Alternative Dispute Resolution
Supporting Entity
Want to become a sponsor? Click on the Sponsorship tab for more information!
Meet the Conference Committee:
David McCutcheon
C.Arb
Chair -director
Kathleen Bellamano
C.Arb, C.Med, RSW
Angus Gunn
Q.C.
Michelle Maniago
Jim McCartney
C.Arb, C.Med
Thomas Stubbs
Q.Med, RPP