Planning Committee
Dr. Greig Henderson
Department of English, University of Toronto
Andrea Laing
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP
Dr. Barbara Morris
Humber College
The Hon. Justice Robyn M. Ryan Bell
Superior Court of Justice
Partner
A Joint Program of The Advocates’ Society and Osgoode Professional Development
Canada’s premier written advocacy program is back to offer individualized feedback and discussion with experienced judges, practitioners and writing instructors.
Effective written advocacy is a crucial skill for any lawyer regardless of their area of practice. Designed for lawyers with 2-5 years of experience, this program will help you advocate in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
What You’ll Learn
Take your written advocacy skills to a new level with:
Expert instruction on how to improve written argument from a team of trial and appellate judges, writing professionals and top legal practitioners
Small “hands-on” groups with a maximum of eight participants
Individual feedback and critique of your writing sample
Valuable tips you can use to immediately improve the precision, strength and persuasiveness of all your legal writing
Advice on how best to engage the reader who counts ‒ the judge
Insight from a panel of judges on what works and what to avoid
FORMAT
The program will consist of both live, in-person (November 30, 9:00am-5:00pm) and online (December 2 and 4, 4:00-6:00pm) plenary and small group sessions. Participants must attend all sessions to complete the program.
MANDATORY WRITING SAMPLE
WHAT TO SEND:
Given the structure of the program, we recommend that you submit a factum. A factum on behalf of the applicant, appellant or moving party is preferred, but if necessary, a respondent’s factum is acceptable. If you have not yet written a factum, a written argument or other court submission is also acceptable.
Articles and/or other written legal and nonlegal documents (e.g., internal briefs) are not acceptable.
It is imperative that the sample not relate to matters currently before the courts – no exceptions.
Please email megan@advocates.ca if you have any questions or concerns about your writing sample.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Your name MUST BE clearly marked on the front page of the sample.
- Do not include supplementary documentation and appendices.
- Ensure your writing sample is preloaded on your computer during the program
JUSTICE MARVIN CATZMAN BURSARY FUND
This bursary was created in memory of Justice Catzman, whose commitment to improving legal writing
was underscored by his participation in the Written Advocacy program. It provides a candidate who would not otherwise be able to attend the program due to financial constraints, full admission to the program. To apply, send a CV, a cover letter, and a copy of your previous year’s tax return by October 1, 2024 to: Gail Geronimo, Program Lawyer at ggeronimo@osgoode.yorku.ca
Who Should Attend
Litigation lawyers at all levels of experience and practice areas, but particularly those with at least one year of experience
In-house counsel
Sole practitioners
Crown attorneys
Criminal defence lawyers
Government counsel
Articling students who have drafted submissions
Faculty
Planning Committee
The Hon. Justice Robyn M. Ryan Bell
Superior Court of Justice
Dr. Greig Henderson
Department of English, University of Toronto
Andrea Laing
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP
Dr. Barbara Morris
Humber College
Judges
The Hon. Justice Stephen Bale
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice David M. Brown
Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Hon. Justice Lisa Favreau
Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Hon. Justice Sally Gomery
Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Hon. Justice Peter D. Lauwers
Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Hon. Justice M. J. Lucille Shaw
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice P. Tamara Sugunasiri
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Julie Thorburn
Court of Appeal for Ontario
Writing Instructors
Virginia McRae
Sessional Professor, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law
Dr. Melanie Stevenson
University of Toronto
Dr. Craig Patterson
Humber College
Dr. Greig Henderson
Department of English, University of Toronto
Antonella Ceddia
Executive General Counsel & Head of Legal Services, Toronto Catholic District School Board
John Ouzos
University of Toronto
Krista Bridge
Humber College
Dr. Al McMullan
Writing Consultant
Dr. Cheryl Suzack
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Practitioners
Brent J. Arnold
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
Andrew Bernstein
Torys LLP
Rahat Godil
Fasken
Andrea Laing
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP
Ryan Morris
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Michael Osborne
Cozen O’Connor
Byron Shaw
McCarthy Tétrault
Matthew Huys
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
“An amazing opportunity to obtain hands-on, practical advice from members of the judiciary and leading practitioners.”
Agenda
Register
Interested in the next program offering? Complete this form and we’ll email you once new dates are announced.
Printable registration form
If a downloadable form is required, please contact osgoodepd@osgoode.yorku.ca.
“Is financial assistance or funding available?”
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:
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.
| Substantive | 6h 30m |
|---|---|
| Professionalism | 5h 45m |
| Total | 12h 15m |
Are you reporting hours from a previous date?
View our CPD & Accreditation page to see previously calculated hours for this course.
Deeper Learning Opportunities
LLMs
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Part-time LLMs Full-time LLMsThe Osgoode Certificate
Stay competitive with deep dives into the most critical issues in law. Taught by leading experts and designed for flexible learning, choose from multi-day programs or take courses at your own pace to build towards a certificate.
Explore certificatesSingle Course Enrollment
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Explore LLM coursesFrequently Asked Questions
Client and Technical Support
Have questions? Get advice in person, by email or over the phone.
Program content questions
Gail Geronimo, Program Lawyer
ggeronimo@osgoode.yorku.ca
Registration questions
Technical support
Online Technical Requirements
To ensure you do not encounter any issues that will impact or limit your learning experience, please review the following information.