Civil sexual assault claims are complex and challenging. Get the foundational knowledge and practical strategies you need to advise with confidence. Now offered in a convenient, interactive webinar format.
Over a series of nine webinars, Canada’s leading experts will guide you through the key stages and issues in civil sexual assault claims. Each 75 minute webinar will focus on a specific issue or stage (with a range of topics including types of claims, damages, navigating overlapping claims, understanding trauma, vicarious liability, etc.) Each segment will include thoughtful analysis, key information, and lots of opportunities for questions and discussion. Take one, several, or enjoy special bundle savings and take all nine webinars. Can’t make one of the dates? Registrants will have access to the on-demand recording and materials for each webinar.
This is the foundational knowledge and best practices that professionals new(ish) to this area need to successfully advance or defend a civil sexual assault claim. Don’t miss this opportunity to acquire the guidance you need – from the experts you trust. Now available for the first time as a convenient webinar series.
What You’ll Learn
Claims 101
Overview of the types of claims and pleadings in this arena, including assault, battery, intentional infliction of mental suffering, voyeurism and revenge porn, stalking, family /intimate partner violence
Understanding the key elements of these torts
Types of claims in other proceedings
Understanding and navigating credibility, memory and trauma in sexual assault cases
Client Intake: Best Practices
Getting the key information from your client in a trauma informed way
Navigating anonymization and publication bans
Guidance on how to set up your file for success
Foundations of Institutional / Vicarious Liability
Defending the Claim
Navigating Counter Claims and Retaliatory Litigation
Damages 101
Types of damages available in a civil sexual assault claim
Quantum – how to assess the value of the claim
Proving your loss
Experts
Interplay Between Overlapping Proceedings Strategies for navigating related regulatory, employment and criminal proceedings
Resolutions and Other Outcomes
Who Should Attend
Lawyers whose practice includes sexual misconduct issues
In-house Counsel
Employment law lawyers
Human Resources Professionals
Faculty
Program Chair
Alexi Wood
St. Lawrence Barristers PC
Instructors
Joanna Birenbaum
Birenbaum Law Office
Stephanie DiGiuseppe
Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
Danny Kastner
Kastner Ko LLP
Gabriel Latner
Advocan Law LLP
Dr. Rachel Liebman, PhD, CPsych
Clinical Psychologist, Liebman Psychology, Adjunct Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Alex Smith
Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
Michael Wilchesky
Rochon Genova Barristers | Solicitors
Agenda
Alexi Wood, St Lawrence Barristers P.C.
We will start our series with an overview of the types of actions that can be advanced in a civil sexual assault claim.
Our expert will take you through some of the more familiar civil torts plus emerging claims, including:
Assault, battery, intentional infliction of mental suffering, voyeurism and revenge porn, stalking, family violence
Understand the key elements of these torts and guidance on how to plead them
Types of claims in other proceedings
Materials will include precedents for different types of claims
Dr. Rachel Liebman, PhD, C.Psych, Clinical Psychologist, Liebman Psychology, Adjunct Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
As professionals working in this area are keenly aware, credibility, memory and trauma are much more than just buzz words. Engage with our experts in a thoughtful discussion with practical guidance on how to navigate these issues in your practice.
Understanding how trauma impacts memory
Integrating the trauma informed approach into your practice
How do we reconcile the neuroscience with the laws of evidence (or can we?)
How do (and should) lawyers and judges address these issues?
Michael Wilchesky, Rochon Genova Barristers | Solicitors
These initial discussions with your client are critical. Understand how to have the “challenging” discussions, and best practices for next steps.
Strategies for ensuring a trauma informed intake
How to obtain the key info from your client in a trauma informed way
Guidance on what questions to ask (and what information to obtain) to best determine your client’s objectives
Best practices for setting up your file for future success
Navigating anonymization and publication bans
Vicarious and institutional liability continues to play a central role in many civil sexual assault claims. This session is an in-depth review of the current law, a discussion of new and ongoing issues, and an examination of the special challenges in this complex area. It will also include strategies for dealing with the special challenges with and for large institutions. We will also explore potential ethical issues with institutional liability claims – how to recognize and navigate them.
Alex Smith, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
Benefit from the guidance of experienced defence counsel as they take you through the defence options and key strategies.
Assessing strategies for defending these claims
Identifying who you are going after
Advancing consent as a defence
Limitation defences
Joanna Birenbaum, Birenbaum Law Office Gabriel Latner, Advocan Law LLP
Expert guidance on the key elements of, and strategies for advancing and defending against defamation, malicious prosecution, anti-SLAPP and other counter claims, including counter-claiming sexual assault.
In this session we will drill down on damages in civil sexual claims. Topics include:
Types of damages you can claim
Quantum and how to assess loss, including the current range for general damages
Guidance on proving loss
What evidence do you need?
Use of experts
How to claim and prove economic loss
Stephanie DiGiuseppe, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP Danny Kastner, Kastner Ko LLP
What issues arise when conduct triggers multiple types of proceedings? Our experts will provide practical guidance on how to navigate overlapping civil suits, regulatory matters, criminal proceedings, and workplace issues, including investigations.
Joanna Birenbaum, Birenbaum Law Office
The resolution is often the key focus for clients. It is also one of the most challenging stages in a claim. In this segment, our experts will take you through the key aspects of settlement agreements, releases and NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) – what you need to include and pitfalls to try to avoid. We will also discuss mediation of these types of claims, including guidance for how to best prepare and support your client through this process.
Series Discount: Purchase all 9 webinars at a special discount rate. Can’t make some of the dates? You will get access to the on-demand recording and materials for each webinar.
OsgoodePD Civil Sexual Assault Claims 101: Resolutions and Other Outcomes
$125 + TAX
Time
Mar 10, 2027 12:15 p.m – 1:30 p.m (ET)
Payment Deadlines
Payment is required in full up to 21 days prior to the start of the program, or immediately upon purchase if less than 21 days.
Substitution and Cancellation
Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time prior to the start date of the program. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 14 days prior to the start of the program. If a cancellation request is made with less than 14 but more than 3 days’ notice, an administrative fee equal to 20% of the program cost, to a maximum of $250 will apply per person. No refund will be issued for cancellations received within 3 days of the program start date. Payment is required to receive access to the program.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
“An absolutely fantastic experience for anyone prosecuting or defending these kinds of claims.”
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
Watch a recording of a past program on your own schedule.
1 Day – On Demand
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