Welcome to the Advocacy Club
The Advocacy Club was founded in 2007 to train articling students and junior lawyers in the arts of civil advocacy. Since then, it has expanded to include hundreds of participants from many law firms and governmental organizations. The Club's sessions are based on these principles:
- Trainees learn more by doing than by listening to lectures.
- Junior advocates benefit greatly from networking with other like-minded professionals.
- Collegiality, professionalism and competence are interrelated and form the foundation for a successful career in law.
Club News and Events
Congratulations to CCLA Elected Trustees, 2019-2020
Seasoned pro, Andrew Ferguson, is now joined by fellow Advocacy Club members Katie Black, Robin Brown, and Antonio Giamberardino. Amazingly, 4 of the 8 elected Trustees are Club members!
Negotiation Skills Training - April 17, 4:00-6:00, 160 Elgin #1800
The Advocacy Club presents a 2-hour session on negotiation techniques at KPMG's facilities at 160 Elgin. Participants will form small groups of 4, with each group paired with a small claims judge or mediator. After the group leader makes a brief presentation on negotiation principles and techniques, the group will divide into plaintiffs (counsel and client) and defence (same). They will try to negotiate a deal from a short set of facts that provided in advance under the watchful eye of the judge/mediator. After 40 minutes, they switch roles and sides and try again with another case.
This is not mediation or pretrial. It is an exercise to learn techniques how to settle without an adult in the room.
- CPD: Sessions qualify as 1.5 hours substantive and 0.5 hours professional CPD.
- Cost: $65.00 plus HST.
- Payment via credit card or PayPal, can be arranged here
Limited to 24 participants, so book early! Contact organizers Kelli-Anne Day (Merovitz Potechin) here or John Hollander here to sign up.
This is not mediation or pretrial. It is an exercise to learn techniques how to settle without an adult in the room.
- CPD: Sessions qualify as 1.5 hours substantive and 0.5 hours professional CPD.
- Cost: $65.00 plus HST.
- Payment via credit card or PayPal, can be arranged here
Limited to 24 participants, so book early! Contact organizers Kelli-Anne Day (Merovitz Potechin) here or John Hollander here to sign up.
Advocacy Club Boot Camp - Next Session is April 16 and 18, 12:30-5:00
Join the Advocacy Club! The only way is by taking the Boot Camp. A comprehensive training program that covers the basics of civil trial advocacy: interview skills, case analysis, outlining examinations, discovery, direct and cross-examination techniques and legal argument. All in 9.0 hours of mixed presentations, drills and exercises. A practical, formula-based program that arms junior litigators with the essentials to survive and succeed in today's civil courtrooms.
Details of the Boot Camp can be found here. The first spring session will be April 16 and 18, from 12:30 to 5:00 both days. Place TBD.Contact John Hollander to reserve your spot for this next session.
- CPD: Sessions qualify as 7.5 hours substantive and 1.5 hours professional CPD, of which 1.0 hour qualifies as the EDI component each lawyer requires annually.
- Cost: $370 for lawyers and $250 for paralegals, articling and summer students, plus HST.
- Payment via credit card or PayPal, can be arranged here for lawyers and here for students, etc.
Join the Advocacy Club! The only way is by taking the Boot Camp. A comprehensive training program that covers the basics of civil trial advocacy: interview skills, case analysis, outlining examinations, discovery, direct and cross-examination techniques and legal argument. All in 9.0 hours of mixed presentations, drills and exercises. A practical, formula-based program that arms junior litigators with the essentials to survive and succeed in today's civil courtrooms.
Details of the Boot Camp can be found here. The first spring session will be April 16 and 18, from 12:30 to 5:00 both days. Place TBD.Contact John Hollander to reserve your spot for this next session.
- CPD: Sessions qualify as 7.5 hours substantive and 1.5 hours professional CPD, of which 1.0 hour qualifies as the EDI component each lawyer requires annually.
- Cost: $370 for lawyers and $250 for paralegals, articling and summer students, plus HST.
- Payment via credit card or PayPal, can be arranged here for lawyers and here for students, etc.
Announcing the Advocacy Club's Advanced Sessions for 2019
Calling on Advocacy Cub members and sponsoring firms! Please help us stage present and run these sessions. We need logistical support, presenters and team leaders. Contact us at john.hollander2@gmail.com.
During calendar 2019, the Advocacy Club will present the following sessions:
April 17 Negotiation 101 - How to settle disputes without mediation. Organizer is Kelli-Anne Day. Details of the program can be found here. Deputy Judges and Mediators include: Rosalind Conway, Rohan Bansie, David Dwoskin, Bill Neville, Rob De Toni. Cost $65 plus HST, payable here.
May 11 7th Annual Advocacy Club Retreat - Organizers and sponsor already committed. Organizers are Aleksandra Gracia, Melissa Bastarache, Simone Akiyanu and Craig Williams. Sponsored by KPMG.
June 12 3rd Annual CCLA Presentation - How litigators should deal with each other. A joint program of the Advocacy Club and CCLA. Logistical support from Club members Michelle Doody and Nigel McKechnie. Sponsored by KPMG.
July 17 Motions Techniques. Techniques to prepare for and argue a motion. Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG. Cost $65.00 plus HST. Cost $65 plus HST, payable here.
September 11 Discovery Techniques 1 - Good questions, bad questions, bad answers and judgment calls. Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG.
October 9 Discovery Techniques 2 - Offence (getting all the information) and defence (preparing your witness and dealing with aggressive counsel). Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG.
During calendar 2019, the Advocacy Club will present the following sessions:
April 17 Negotiation 101 - How to settle disputes without mediation. Organizer is Kelli-Anne Day. Details of the program can be found here. Deputy Judges and Mediators include: Rosalind Conway, Rohan Bansie, David Dwoskin, Bill Neville, Rob De Toni. Cost $65 plus HST, payable here.
May 11 7th Annual Advocacy Club Retreat - Organizers and sponsor already committed. Organizers are Aleksandra Gracia, Melissa Bastarache, Simone Akiyanu and Craig Williams. Sponsored by KPMG.
June 12 3rd Annual CCLA Presentation - How litigators should deal with each other. A joint program of the Advocacy Club and CCLA. Logistical support from Club members Michelle Doody and Nigel McKechnie. Sponsored by KPMG.
July 17 Motions Techniques. Techniques to prepare for and argue a motion. Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG. Cost $65.00 plus HST. Cost $65 plus HST, payable here.
September 11 Discovery Techniques 1 - Good questions, bad questions, bad answers and judgment calls. Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG.
October 9 Discovery Techniques 2 - Offence (getting all the information) and defence (preparing your witness and dealing with aggressive counsel). Details of the program can be found here. Presenter and organizer still required. Sponsored by KPMG.
Advocacy Club Summer Symposium Series
,Organized by Advocacy Club members Robin Brown and Ludmilla Jarda, this series of 4 symposia will train junior lawyers in the techniques of a specialized area of litigation.
August 6/7 Advocacy Club Family Law Symposium. Headlined by Lynn Rockman, this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice family law litigation. Organization by Club members Adrienne Curran and Kimberley Pollard. Sponsored by uOttawa Faculty of Common Law. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 8/9 Advocacy Club Employment Law Symposium. Headlined by Craig Stehr, this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice employment law litigation. Featuring Justice Charles Hackland as the judge to hear contested motions for summary judgment on Day 2. Organization by Club members Nigel McKechnie and Melissa Bastarache. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 12/13 Advocacy Club SABS Law Symposium. Headlined by Kompass Claims's Phyllis Bergmans , this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice accident benefits litigation. Organization by Club members Bianca Bielicki and Laetitia Auguste. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 14/15 Advocacy Club Corporate Oppression Symposium. Headlined by Scott McLean, Jeff Saikaley and Chris Hutchison , this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice corporate litigation. Organized by Club members Benjamin Grant and Michael Babe. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 16 Bonus: Advocacy Club Public Speaking Seminar. Headlined by actor Kristina Watt and John Hollander, this interactive 3- hour program trains participants in the 5 Teachable Techniques to improve public speaking. Based on the techniques described in their handbook available shortly in Kindle format on Amazon.com here. CPD: 0.5 hours professional, 2.5 hours substantive. Cost $250 plus HST.
August 6/7 Advocacy Club Family Law Symposium. Headlined by Lynn Rockman, this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice family law litigation. Organization by Club members Adrienne Curran and Kimberley Pollard. Sponsored by uOttawa Faculty of Common Law. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 8/9 Advocacy Club Employment Law Symposium. Headlined by Craig Stehr, this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice employment law litigation. Featuring Justice Charles Hackland as the judge to hear contested motions for summary judgment on Day 2. Organization by Club members Nigel McKechnie and Melissa Bastarache. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 12/13 Advocacy Club SABS Law Symposium. Headlined by Kompass Claims's Phyllis Bergmans , this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice accident benefits litigation. Organization by Club members Bianca Bielicki and Laetitia Auguste. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 14/15 Advocacy Club Corporate Oppression Symposium. Headlined by Scott McLean, Jeff Saikaley and Chris Hutchison , this intensive program trains participants in skills required to practice corporate litigation. Organized by Club members Benjamin Grant and Michael Babe. Sponsored by KPMG. Details to be provided shortly. CPD: 3 hours professional, of which 1 hour EDI. 11 hours substantive. Cost $350 plus HST.
August 16 Bonus: Advocacy Club Public Speaking Seminar. Headlined by actor Kristina Watt and John Hollander, this interactive 3- hour program trains participants in the 5 Teachable Techniques to improve public speaking. Based on the techniques described in their handbook available shortly in Kindle format on Amazon.com here. CPD: 0.5 hours professional, 2.5 hours substantive. Cost $250 plus HST.
Announcing the Empathy Skills Course for CPD/EDI Credits
The Advocacy Club incorporates the Empathy Toy (tm) in its Boot Camp to teach communications and empathy skills to junior advocates. Watch the video from the creators, Twenty One Toys, here.
Now this amazing and effective session is available for small groups (between 4 and 8) of lawyers of all levels of seniority. The session has the collateral benefit of team-building. Qualifies as 60 minutes of the Equality, Diversity and Equity component of professional hours of CPD by the law Society of Ontario.
"Communications by a lawyer are a crucial element of the position – whether it be with clients, fellow lawyers or the public in general. It is essential that we understand how to communicate with all individuals regardless of race or gender. John’s seminar provides guidance in doing all that and is useful for all lawyers regardless of experience or background. I recently participated in a session with several other senior lawyers. We all benefitted from the experience." Roger Ramonat, Call 1984
Soon to be available through the Advocacy Club and through the County of Carleton Law Association, contact John Hollander for more details.
Now this amazing and effective session is available for small groups (between 4 and 8) of lawyers of all levels of seniority. The session has the collateral benefit of team-building. Qualifies as 60 minutes of the Equality, Diversity and Equity component of professional hours of CPD by the law Society of Ontario.
"Communications by a lawyer are a crucial element of the position – whether it be with clients, fellow lawyers or the public in general. It is essential that we understand how to communicate with all individuals regardless of race or gender. John’s seminar provides guidance in doing all that and is useful for all lawyers regardless of experience or background. I recently participated in a session with several other senior lawyers. We all benefitted from the experience." Roger Ramonat, Call 1984
Soon to be available through the Advocacy Club and through the County of Carleton Law Association, contact John Hollander for more details.
The Advocacy Club wishes to thank the firms that have sponsored events over the past 12 months
Kelly Santini
KPMG Forensic Services
Brazeau Seller/Yegendorf
Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh
Macera & Jarzyna/Moffatt
University of Ottawa Law School (PPD)
Cavanagh
KPMG Forensic Services
Brazeau Seller/Yegendorf
Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh
Macera & Jarzyna/Moffatt
University of Ottawa Law School (PPD)
Cavanagh
Chat with Lawyers Podcast Series
John Hollander interviews lawyers to present an entertaining discussion of their careers and techniques. Each podcast runs less than an hour. All of the episodes feature discussions with senior lawyers about issues faced by junior lawyers when dealing with professional choices. The accomplished guests present tips and guidance with respect to an area of law (e.g. Construction, Family, Personal Injury/Insurance Defence), a component of litigation practice (e.g. Discovery, Trial Preparation, Mediation, Factum Writing) or a subject related to career development (e.g. Promotion, Partnership, Professionalism, Starting a Law Practice, Work-life Balance and Maternity Leave). An impressive group of counsel has participated in these one-on-one and one-on-two interviews.
Most recent interviews are with Yasir Naqvi, on the importance of engaging in political organization, available here, and Christophe Bondy, on creating a career in Pubic International Law, available here.
All episodes can be found at: www.chatwithlawyers.ca.
Most recent interviews are with Yasir Naqvi, on the importance of engaging in political organization, available here, and Christophe Bondy, on creating a career in Pubic International Law, available here.
All episodes can be found at: www.chatwithlawyers.ca.
From Novice Lawyer to Skilled Advocate...
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Founded by John Hollander in 2009 in Ottawa, the Advocacy Club trains novice lawyers to become skilled advocates. It has two focuses:
Our training methods emphasize practical exercise sessions without lectures. The initial training (the Boot Camp) consists of two half days of four hours each. The first half day focuses on interview skills, case analysis and outlining techniques. The second applies the lessons of the first session to examinations and closing arguments. Boot Camp enrolment is limited so that participants get the most out of each session. |
By the end of the Boot Camp, junior advocates have learned to apply the techniques to most of the situations they encounter in their practice. After this initial training, Club members participate in advanced sessions that take place throughout the year. To date these sessions have included training in:
John has written several handbooks presenting the Advocacy Club techniques. They are available through Irwin Law Publishers and on the Store page of this website.
In January 2014, John Hollander Professional Corporation was approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Upper Canada. This accreditation applies to all Advocacy Club Programs to which professionalism content is applicable.
If you have any questions for John, or are interested in Advocacy Club training sessions, go to the Contact page.
- focused cross examination techniques
- focused direct examination techniques
- presentation skills (led by professional actress and coach, Kristina Watt)
- discovery techniques (adapted for use by AJEFO)
- advanced discovery techniques - dealing with poor questions and non-responsive answers
- advanced discovery - dealing with aggressive counsel and witnesses
- negotiation tactics (adapted for use by AJEFO)
- mediation
- case analysis
- objections (adapted for use by AJEFO)
- openings and closings
- motions advocacy
- expert witnesses (several separate sessions with accountants, occupational therapists and psychologists)
- impeachment of witnesses
John has written several handbooks presenting the Advocacy Club techniques. They are available through Irwin Law Publishers and on the Store page of this website.
In January 2014, John Hollander Professional Corporation was approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Upper Canada. This accreditation applies to all Advocacy Club Programs to which professionalism content is applicable.
If you have any questions for John, or are interested in Advocacy Club training sessions, go to the Contact page.