Calgary Branch

Alberta

First established in 2019, the Calgary Branch was the initial team responsible for the inaugural Youth Leaders in Law conference in November 2019. YLL Calgary has since then expanded its executive board. Our team has worked with numerous lawyers, law firms, and other organizations to bring the YLL experience to youth across the city.

Keynote Speaker

The Honourable Mahmud Jamal
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Youth Leaders in Law (YLL) Calgary Conference will be an in-person conference taking place on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at the University of Calgary Law School, Murray Fraser Hall. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to hear from lawyers across various fields, law school admissions staff and law school students from UofC, and be able to participate in a mock trial. The 2025 Conference will culminate in an in-person fireside chat with the Honourable Justice Mahmud Jamal of the Supreme Court of Canada. Students will have the opportunity to meet Justice Jamal and to ask him questions.

This conference is fully FREE to attend, and free pizza, courtesy of Seniores, will be provided for lunch. We will also be providing other free snacks throughout the day.

As part of our Conference this year, we are also hosting a competitive mock trial from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Awards will be handed out by the Honourable Justice Jamal at the end of the day. You do NOT need to have any experience with mock trials to participate; you will be taught the necessary skills by venerable lawyers before-hand. Student observers are welcome.

Registration for the 2025 Calgary Regional Conference is NOW OPEN!

Calgary Conference Schedule

8:15 am: Registration and early mock trial prep
For mock trial attendees only; non-attendees are to arrive at 10:45 am.
9:00 am: Mock Trial
Our mock trial judges will be Martin Hoornaert, K.C., Lillian Pan, K.C., and Melissa Tennison. The judges and Bradley Smith will also be available to assist participants with their opening and closing statements and direct and cross-examinations.
11:00 am: Admissions Panel
Catherine Valestuk, Recruiting and Admissions, University of Calgary Faculty of Law, and current law school students will provide information and answer questions regarding law school admissions.
11:45 am: Lunch
Seniores pizza will be served to all participants at no cost.
12:45 pm: Panel Sessions (50 minutes each)
Students will choose to attend 2 out of 4 lawyer panel sessions: criminal law, corporate law, civil law, and family law.
Criminal Law Panel: Alex Yip, Rame Katrib, and Robin Mcintyre
Corporate Law Panel: Alex Himour, Tamara Prince, and Jennie Han
Civil Law Panel: Sania Chaudrey, Melissa Burkett, and Kourtney Pratt
Family Law Panel: Cindy Marshall, K.C., Bradley Smith and Curtis Kim
- 1:45 pm: Second Session
- 12:45 pm: First Session
2:45 pm: Keynote Speaker, introduced by Dean Evaristus Oshionebo, UofC Faculty of Law
Fireside Chat with Justice Jamal and moderator, Rani Wong, K.C. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions.
3:30 pm: Closing Ceremony, Awards for Mock Trial
3:45 pm: Networking Event
Students will have the opportunity to meet and speak with Justice Jamal, the panel lawyers, mock trial lawyers and their peers. Food and beverages will be available.
4:15 pm: End

Speakers / Mock Trial Lawyers

Mock Trial and Advocacy Workshop

The third session will occur on March 9 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

This session will include:

A recap on opening statements
Cross Examinations
A Mock Moot

This session will be led by Lillian Y. Pan, K.C., a lawyer experienced in commercial litigation, including business litigation, securities, product liability, energy, and employment litigation.