Coffee in the Times of COVID is a virtual gathering of small groups of young lawyers and/or law students around a topic of common interest, designed to facilitate social connection among the legal profession and give participants a chance to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on their personal and professional lives, as well as the areas of law that matter most to them.
Cohort Stream
Coffee in the Times of COVID is about building your legal network, knowledge, and community. The cohort stream will engage a group of up to 20 young lawyers and law students in regular bi-weekly sessions hosted by a team of lawyer-facilitators from a partner Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Registration is free for CBA members and participants must be available to participate in all five sessions in the cohort.
May 31, 2022 - July 26, 2022
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Charting a Course for Success: Navigating the Early Years
In the early years of practice, lawyers often make the mistake of focusing only on files and building a practice. While these are important, a long and healthy career also requires developing a support network, coping skills, balance, and perspective. In this cohort stream, we will discuss those themes through the lens of specific topics such as dealing with intimidating senior counsel, how to manage panic moments, the importance of mental and physical wellness, getting involved in professional organizations, and pivoting in your career.
In collaboration with:
The CBA Labour & Employment Law Section
Amy Bradbury
Partner, Wickwire Holm
(Halifax, NS) |
David Conway
Past Chairperson, NL Labour Relations Board
(St. John's, NL) |
Christopher Deehy
Partner, Lapointe, Rosenstein, Marchand, Melançon S.E.N.C.R.L.
(Montreal, QC) |
Valerie Dixon
Legal Counsel - Labour, Employment and Human Rights, City of Vancouver
(Vancouver, BC) |
Caroline Spindler
Associate, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
(Halifax, NS) |
Darcie Yale
D'Arcy & Deacon LLP
(Winnipeg, MB) |
Sessions
Dealing with Intimidating Senior Counsel (Inside and Outside Your Firm)
Tuesday, May 31, 2022 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
A senior lawyer within your firm or organization is pressuring you to do (or not do) something? You feel that you cannot say no and that your voice is being ignored? Is an outside lawyer trying to intimidate you, browbeating or talking down to you? In this session, we will discuss some of the tricks and tips about how to extricate yourself from such situations.
Facilitators: Christopher Deehy (Lead), Amy Bradbury, David Conway, Valerie Dixon, Caroline Spindler
Managing Work/Life Balance – How to be a Good Lawyer and Enjoy Life
Tuesday, Jun. 14, 2022 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
As a result of COVID-19, lawyers and law firms moved their practices, at least temporarily, from their offices to their homes. This shift has some advantages in terms of work-life balance but also can make it difficult for lawyers to separate work time from personal time. During this session, we will discuss the importance to well-being of ensuring that there are boundaries around work time (even if work is done at home) and the importance of “down time”. In addition, we will discuss how to manage the expectations of senior lawyers and clients and how to avoid working all the time.
Facilitators: Amy Bradbury (Lead), David Conway, Christopher Deehy, Valerie Dixon, Caroline Spindler
Panic: What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
Tuesday, Jun. 28, 2022 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Put on the spot by a judge and don’t know the answer? Pressure to do something unethical from an important firm client? Navigating the practice of law is challenging at any level but especially as a new lawyer. Law school provides a basis for understanding the law and legal concepts but often fails to prepare students for the practice of law and the panicked moments that come with it. We will discuss how to approach those moments of panic and the unknown in the hopes of putting minds at ease.
Facilitators: Valerie Dixon and Caroline Spindler (Leads), David Conway, Darcie C. Yale
Stay Involved! - Law Societies, the CBA and Other Legal Organizations
Tuesday, Jul. 12, 2022 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Lawyers often neglect professional development when they become busy in their law practice. Staying active within your law society, the CBA and other legal organizations is a great way to network, give back and develop professionally. Key discussion topics will include how and when to get involved in legal organizations outside of the workplace and some of the different types of organizations that exist.
Facilitators: David Conway (Lead), Amy Bradbury, Christopher Deehy, Valerie Dixon, Caroline Spindler, Darcie C. Yale
Changing It Up to Keep Your Career Fresh
Tuesday, Jul. 26, 2022 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
A legal career can be a long one, but it doesn’t have to be boring; change can help you to stay engaged and energized. In this session, we’ll explore the ways you can pivot in you career, including switching practice areas, moving firms, going in-house, taking on admin roles within firms, or pursuing non-practicing options.
Facilitators: Valerie Dixon and Caroline Spindler (Leads), Amy Bradbury, David Conway, Christopher Deehy
Facilitators
Amy Bradbury
Amy has experience in all areas of labour and employment law but has particular skill and focus in Workers’ Compensation, Labour Relations, Pension and Benefits and Judicial Review. She also provides human resource advice and assists clients in drafting workplace policies and in collective bargaining. Amy is known for her practical advice. She understands that each business is different and works to find solutions that fit her client’s needs. Amy recently received The Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.
David Conway
David Conway is a neutral adjudicator, a practicing lawyer and the immediate past Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board. David has focused exclusively on labour law and administrative law in his career. He has experience in various types of proceedings, including arbitrations, judicial reviews, workers' compensation hearings, employment insurance hearings, human rights cases, and collective agreement negotiations. He has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Christopher Deehy
Christopher Deehy, leader of the Labour and Employment Law group, has been practicing with the firm since 1995. He represents the firm’s corporate clients before all civil and administrative labour tribunals. He advises employers in all matters relating to employment relationships with their employees, whether they be unionized or not, including health and safety issues, collective bargaining, labour relations, sexual or psychological harassment complaints, discrimination, etc. More specifically, Christopher has substantial experience in collective bargaining, employment litigation, occupational and accommodation health and safety, restructuring and collective dismissals.
Valerie Dixon
Valerie Dixon is a lawyer with the City of Vancouver. She practices exclusively in the areas of labour, employment and human rights. Prior to joining the city, Valerie spent 14 years in private practice, at Clark Wilson LLP and Miller Thompson LLP. She has acted for a variety of employers, both unionized and non-unionized, from small businesses to international corporations, health authorities, and municipalities. In addition to appearances before all levels of court in BC, Valerie has acted as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada and represented clients before various administrative tribunals.
Caroline Spindler
Caroline holds a J.D. degree from the University of New Brunswick. Caroline practices in all areas of workplace law, advising and representing employers on issues involving discipline and discharge, wrongful dismissal actions, grievance arbitration, collective bargaining, human rights, and workers’ compensation matters. She also regularly assists employers with a wide range of other matters, including the preparation of employment contracts and employment policies as well as dispute resolution before labour, employment, human rights, and other administrative tribunals.
Darcie Yale
Darcie is a partner with the firm, D’Arcy & Deacon LLP. Darcie practices primarily in the areas of labour and employment, administrative law and civil litigation. Her practice includes labour relations, insurance defence work, municipal law, pension matters and general litigation. She currently serves as co-chair of the Labour & Employment Subsection of the Manitoba Bar Association. Darcie has also been a volunteer member of various community and charitable organizations. Darcie has been a lecturer and participant in seminars on legal issues on labour & employment litigation matters.
