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Legally Tech Symposium (Victoria)
- Date(s):
- March 12, 2026
- Venue:
- Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA
- 146 Kingston Street
Victoria, BC V8V 1V4
- CPD Hours:
- 5.25
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LEGALLY TECH VICTORIA
Step into a full-day symposium designed for leaders, practitioners, and innovators navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of law and artificial intelligence. This event brings together industry experts, interactive keynote sessions, hands-on workshops, and practical case studies that equip attendees with real, applicable insights.
With a focus on emerging risks, regulatory developments, and the operational impact of AI across legal functions, the program blends thought leadership with meaningful peer collaboration. Join us to deepen your understanding, strengthen your strategy, and stay ahead in a landscape where technology and legal practice are transforming in real time.
This symposium includes:
• Keynote & Super Mini workshop-style sessions
• Interactive activities in small groups
• Approximately 5.25 CPD hours
• Coveted door prize provided by our exhibitor
• BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Drop-In Legal Information Clinic
THANK YOU TO THE SYMPOSIUM PARTNERS:
Premium Sponsor:
Exhibitor:
EVENT DETAILS
Time: Registration 8:30AM - 9:00AM; Presentations 9:00AM - 4:00PM
(Buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided.)
CPD Hours: 5.25
Venue: Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA
146 Kingston St, Victoria, BC V8V 1V4
( venue website)
| REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 2, 2026 |
| Registration Fees: |
Early Bird Rate
(On or before Feb 16th) |
Regular Rate
(After Feb 16th) |
| Student/Retired Member |
$325.00
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$400.00
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| Member |
$400.00
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$475.00
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| Non-Member |
$475.00
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$550.00
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GROUP REGISTRATION DISCOUNT:
15% discount is available for groups of 5 or more from the same organization. Registrations of all group members must be submitted at the same time in order to qualify for the discount.
Fees & Cancellation Policy:
• Fees and/or agenda are subject to change without notice.
• All pricing excludes applicable taxes. HST/GST # 119446714
• Cancellations requests received more than one week prior to the event will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than one week prior to the event date. Attendee substitutions are permitted; however, member/non-member rate differences will apply. Please submit cancellation or substitution requests by e-mail ([email protected]). • Please note that this policy does not apply to conferences, exams or no-charge registrations. CPHR exam fees are non-refundable if registration is canceled after the registration deadline. Please note our deferral policy.
| AGENDA | MARCH 12th, 2026 |
| 8:30AM - 9:00AM |
Registration & Networking
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9:00AM - 9:30AM
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WELCOME REMARKS & ICE BREAKER
AI Law Match
A quick mingle-and-match activity where attendees will pair an AI term with its legal counterpart to kickstart the day. Grab a card, find your matching concept, and share why your pair makes the perfect AI law duo.
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9:30AM - 10:15AM
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OPENING KEYNOTE
Remote, Hybrid, or Office? Exploring the Legal Risks and Realities
Jenson Leung - Labour, Employment & Disability Law Associate, KSW Lawyers
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
In 2020, office roles were largely forced to shift from in-person to remote-based work. Since then, some organizations have continued to encourage remote-based roles whereas an increasing number have been imposing return-to-office mandates. This presentation will focus on some of the pros and cons of both approaches and potential legal considerations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understand potential areas of legal liability that can accompany return-to-office mandates;
- Explore methods for mitigating risk associated with remote workers;
- Discuss and explore pros and cons to remote vs. in-office work in terms of employers' obligations and worker relations.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Relevant to all experience levels, with a focus on issues specific to non-unionized workplaces, where the legal framework differs from that of unionized settings
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10:15 - 10:45AM
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SUPER MINI SESSION
Navigating AI Integration in Onboarding and Offboarding
Mikaila Mauro - Director and Lawyer, Pearlman Lindholm
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
AI's presence in the workplace is rapidly expanding. Organizations are using AI tools not only to enhance work productivity but also to automate aspects of the employment relationship. This session will provide an overview of how AI is being integrated into onboarding and offboarding processes, while highlighting potential legal risks associated with its use.
Attendees will gain:
- an understanding of risks with AI integration
- practical guidance on implementing AI use
- insight of risk management and legal compliance
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Those who are responsible for employee hiring and termination as well as data protection, including HR professionals and business leaders.
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| 10:45AM - 11:00AM |
Health Break
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11:00AM - 12:00PM
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KEYNOTE + SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Invisible Conversations: Addressing Misconduct in Digital Spaces
Cherolyn Knapp - Principal, Knapp 'Resolutions
(Click for Cherolyn's Full Bio)
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Whether teams are on the manufacturing floor, in a hospital ward, at the office or working remotely, they are connected 24/7 through a digital back channel that can foster either community
or toxicity. The most influential conversations are likely happening where you can't see them, in private text groups and side-chats on Slack, Teams, or WhatsApp, or in more public
platforms like Reddit or other social media.
In this interactive workshop, participants will dive into real life scenarios to determine where the line is drawn and how to investigate when evidence is ephemeral, with the goal of
preserving healthy workplace culture, even in the hidden spaces.
Participants will learn to:
- Distinguish between private interpersonal conversations and potential workplace misconduct in digital spaces.
- Implement best practices for gathering evidence from private platforms within legal and ethical boundaries.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- HR Business Partners, Managers, Directors
- Employee/Labour Relations Specialists
- Supervisors, Managers, Directors
- Legal/Compliance Officers
- People leaders tasked with managing the complexities of the modern, hyper-connected workforce
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| 12:00PM - 1:00PM |
Networking Lunch
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AFTERNOON KEYNOTE
Protecting Innovation in the Workplace: Ownership of Intellectual Property in the Age of AI
Monica Sharma - Intellectual Property and Technology Lawyer + Partner, Clark Wilson LLP
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Organizations run on intellectual property such as data, know-how, inventions, branding and creative works. Given the value of IP, the ownership of these assets is critical. This session breaks down the essentials of IP ownership in employment relationships — what the law states, what your agreements should cover, and where issues can arise. Obtain practical guidance on safeguarding an organization's most valuable assets.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understand different types of intellectual property and how works created by employees are treated at law;
- Explore how ownership of intellectual property differs between employees and consultants;
- Gain knowledge on how employment agreements can bolster ownership rights of employers;
- Discuss how ownership of intellectual property is impacted by AI
TARGET AUDIENCE:
HR professionals involved in employee recruitment, including drafting of employment agreements and legal compliance.
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2:00PM - 2:30PM
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DROP-IN LEGAL INFORMATION CLINIC
Bring your burning workplace questions and chat with our lawyers one-on-one during this 'drop in legal information clinic'.
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| 2:30PM - 2:45PM |
Health Break
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2:45PM - 3:45PM
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KEYNOTE + SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Understanding and Managing Workforce-Related Legal Risks in an AI-Enabled Workplace
Jessica Thomson - Partner, Crawford Munroe Thomson LLP
(Click for Jessica's Full Bio)
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
AI tools are already in your workplace, and so is your legal exposure. This 60-minute session, delivered by experienced labour and employment counsel, gives BC HR professionals a practical map of the legal terrain: human rights and algorithmic bias, employee privacy and surveillance limits, WorkSafeBC psychological harm obligations, regulatory non-compliance and the constructive dismissal and wrongful termination claims that follow when AI goes wrong. Drawing on front-line employer-side expertise these risks are paired with actions that can be taken.
The session includes an interactive small-group exercise built around real workplace scenarios, giving participants a chance to apply the legal framework to situations they are likely already facing.
Attendees will leave with a working knowledge of the key questions to ask before an AI tool is introduced or reviewed, The session gives HR professionals a practical foundation to recognize where legal risk lives, know when to escalate and being applying risk mitigation strategies in their own workplaces.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Identify the legal frameworks already governing AI in BC workplaces and where your organization may be most exposed.
- Recognize the human rights, privacy, occupational health and safety, and employment claims risk that AI tools can trigger in both union and non-union settings.
- Apply practical, management-side strategies to mitigate legal risk and build defensible employment practices before a complaint, grievance or claim is made.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This session is designed for HR professionals working in BC private and public sector workplaces, in both union and non-union environments. The content is delivered from a management perspective and equally relevant to hose new to AI in the workplace as to those already navigating it.
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| 3:45PM - 4:00PM |
Thank you & Closing Remarks
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Cherolyn Knapp (she/her) is a seasoned conflict resolution practitioner, civil mediator, workplace investigator, and lawyer based in Victoria, BC. From 2004 to 2019, she built a robust civil litigation career, providing strategic advice and advocacy for individuals, business, and organizations across a broad spectrum of civil, commercial, employment, and human rights disputes. Her practice included appearances before various levels of courts and tribunals, a strong record of out-of-court resolutions, and a leadership role as co-managing partner of a thriving law firm.
Since 2019, Cherolyn focuses her practice in the neutral role. She leverages her deep understanding of legal disputes to help parties find constructive paths forward, often engaging restorative practices. Frequently engaged as a mediator and facilitator for litigants, employees, and professionals embroiled in conflict, Cherolyn also conducts comprehensive workplace investigations and assessments across public, private, and non-profit sectors, in unionized and non-union environments. A sought-after and dynamic speaker, she shares her expertise on conflict resolution processes and skills for navigating high conflict behaviour. Cherolyn is also an active volunteer with CBABC and AVI Health & Community Services.
Mr. Jenson Leung
Organization: KSW Lawyers
Jenson Leung is a lawyer practicing employment law, labour law, disability law, and civil litigation with an interest in privacy law, AI and their impacts on the workplace.
Jenson has experience in the areas of employment law, insurance defence, regulatory law and civil litigation. His litigation experience includes assisting with a 2-month long commercial arbitration, acting as lead counsel on wrongful dismissal trials in BC Supreme Court, appearing at the BC Court of Appeal and obtaining an ex-parte injunction.
Jenson has volunteered on non-profit boards and committees. His experience also includes appearing on TV, radio and podcast interviews and presenting at various conferences.
In his spare time, Jenson enjoys spending time with his dog, video games and kickboxing.
Mikaila Mauro
Organization: Pearlman Lindholm Law Corp.
Mikaila Mauro is a Director at Pearlman Lindholm, where her practice focuses on employment law and civil litigation. She provides advice on a broad range of workplace matters, including workplace investigations, and brings practical, strategic guidance in dispute resolution. She earned her Bachelor of Arts with Co-operative Education distinction from the University of Victoria before obtaining her law degree from Thompson Rivers University. Mikaila has utilized her advocacy skills appearing before the Supreme and Provincial Courts of British Columbia and representing clients in arbitrations and mediations. In addition to her legal practice, Mikaila is committed to professional and community leadership. She serves as Vice-Chair of the national Canadian Bar Association Civil Litigation Executive and as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Smokehouse Foundation.
Monica Sharma
Organization: Clark Wilson LLP
Monica is a business lawyer with extensive experience advising clients on intellectual property, technology, privacy and commercial law matters. Her practice includes transactions involving intellectual property and technology, negotiating technology and commercial contracts, and advising on privacy law issues. Having practiced in law firms as well as in-house for several major companies, Monica brings a practical and unique perspective to providing legal advice to executive and management teams. During her in-house career, Monica was an integral part of commercial operations, which has given her a unique understanding of the internal operations of businesses and how those operations interact with the law.
Jessica is a partner at Crawford Munroe Thomson LLP. She is a trusted advisor in labour and employment law, known for her strategic and practical approach to complex workplace matters. With extensive experience in both British Columbia and Alberta, Jessica advises employers across both public and private sectors, operating within provincial and federal jurisdictions. Her work spans government, post-secondary education, technology, oil and gas, financial services, and a range of other industries.
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