US and Canadian Perspectives on Tackling Challenges in Today’s Legal Profession 

Aug. 8, 2025
Toronto ON

Ontario Bar Association and National Conference of Bar Presidents, with support from the Toronto Lawyers’ Association and Hamilton Law Association

The OBA is partnering with the National Conference of Bar Presidents* (NCBP) to bring you this comparative panel designed for bar and law firm leaders. Gain insights and inspiration from U.S. and Canadian lawyer leaders as you shepherd the legal profession through times of momentous change in 2025 and beyond. Hear about approaches and advances from both sides of the border, as our expert panel shares perspectives on key issues impacting the justice sector, including: 

  • effectively integrating, regulating and utilizing artificial intelligence in legal services; 
  • supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in a shifting landscape; and 
  • confronting the access to justice challenge.


SPEAKERS

Jenny Durkan, Chair, Washington State Bar Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
Kyle Elliott, Diversity and Inclusion Counsel, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, and Immediate Past President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers
Sam Ip, Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and OBA AI Taskforce Member
Lucian Pera, Past President, Tennessee Bar Association and Past Chair, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
Mary Smith, Immediate Past President, ABA and Past President, National Native American Bar Association
Nye Thomas, Executive Director, Law Commission of Ontario



As a special invitation from the NCBP for Canadian law firm and bar leaders, your registration includes access to the full day of programming on Friday, August 8, 2025, being the comparative panel, luncheon, two sets of concurrent workshops and a series of roundtables. Additional details on these sessions are below. You are also invited to purchase a separate ticket to the Gala celebrating NCBP’s 75th anniversary at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday evening.

Awards Luncheon:  NCBP’s luncheon from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Two sets of concurrent workshops: Concurrent workshops will take place between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and  1:50 – 2:50 p.m.  Workshops on The AI Imperative: How Forward-Thinking Bars Navigate Technology, Ethics, and Access to Justice and Educating for Democracy: Bar Association Civics Initiatives will repeat in the morning and afternoon.  In addition, the morning set of workshops will include one on Steady in the Storm: Building a Mindset for Resilient Leadership and the afternoon set will include one on DEI in the Crosshairs: How Do Bar Associations Move Forward

Roundtables Discussions by Bar Type:  Open discussions by bar type  -- state mandatory, state voluntary, and metro/affinity – will take place between 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.  This is a chance to hear bar leaders exchange views on challenges of the day in small groups.

Sponsor Breaks: During half hour sponsor breaks between 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:55 – 3:25 p.m., companies offering legal related services including LexisNexis, Clio, CLE Abroad, Filevine and Smokeball will be on hand to explain their offerings.

A full description of programming and events on August 8, as well as the other days of the conference can be found on the 2025 Annual Meeting Agenda page. If you are interested in also attending programming on August 7 and/or 9, non-member registration is available for the full conference.

*The mission of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) is to empower, connect and inspire bar leaders and organizations.  Founded in 1950, NCBP hosts two in-person meetings each year at which programming addresses trending topics of the day and bar leadership challenges. Its members include state, metro and affinity bar organizations and individuals past presidents of bars.

Registration closes 5:00 pm on July 25.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:25 pm, followed by luncheon
Location: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen St W, Hall E, Lower Level
Toronto, ON  M5H 2M9
 

PRICE

$110 USD

Register directly with NCBP here.


 

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    CONTACT INFO

    Beth Cheng
    NCBP Program Specialist
    ABA Center for Bar Leadership
    beth.cheng@americanbar.org
    312-988-5369