Access to Justice Week 2025 looked to the future of expanding and embracing justice and inclusion
Some of the most unique and cutting-edge areas of law were covered during the four Manitoba Access to Justice week webinar events presented October 27 – 31, 2025. The Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Bar Association, and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law collaborated on presenting public webinars on topics ranging from how to provide accessible legal services; using AI in legal practice to assist with accessibility; how art and media can be used to gain access to justice; and the growing use of Gladue Reports, the impact of race and culture assessments, and sentencing circles in Canadian courts.
All four webinars were well attended with 455 unique registrants signing up for a total of 833 registrations throughout the week. The webinars were recorded and are now accessible to the public on the Faculty of Law’s YouTube channel.
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services
Monday, October 27
Through the discussion of real-world based scenarios, this panel of experts with legal and/or accessibility experience, provided suggestions on how lawyers could and should provide accessible legal services. This session took place over Zoom webinar and had simultaneous ASL translation.
This first panel, hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association’s Equality Section was moderated by Janell Jackson, a third-year law student at the UM Faculty of Law and MBA Equality Section Co-Chair. Panelists included: Darrin Davis [LLB/90], Director Legal Services Branch; Laurelle Harris, K.C. [LLB/01], University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; Dr. Tess Sheldon, Associate Professor, University of Windsor, Faculty of Law; Dawn Steliga, Law student, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; and Peter Tonge [JD/06], Peter Tonge Consulting.
A2J Week 2025: AI and Access to Justice: Promise, Pitfalls, and Practice
Tuesday, October 28
Everyone is talking about AI and how it will reshape our lives, including how we access justice. Whether you are a lawyer, law student or member of the public, there are key things to understand when using AI for help with a legal matter. This Zoom webinar explored:
- A brief overview of generative AI and large language models (LLMs)
- Law Society guidelines for responsible and ethical use
- Practical uses for lawyers and self-represented litigants
- Potential risks, including inaccuracies, confidentiality issues, and bias
Hosted by the Law Society of Manitoba, this panel was moderated by John Burchill [JD/10], Executive Director of the Manitoba Law Reform Commission. Panelists included: Suzie Dunn, Assistant Professor and interim director of the Law and Technology Institute at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University; Alissa Schacter [LLB/94], Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, The Law Society of Manitoba; Dr. Katie Szilagyi, Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; and Mary Troszko [LLB/79], Executive Director, Community Legal Education Association.
Access to Justice through Art and Media
Wednesday, October 28
Focusing on podcasting, radio, murals, and graphic novels, this Zoom webinar event highlighted the role of art and media in breaking down legal barriers. Through discussions with creators and advocates, the event demonstrated how these mediums can educate, empower, and connect communities to their rights and the legal system.
Hosted by the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, this panel was moderated by Quinn Saretsky, Gladue Writer, At the Root Consulting. Panelists included: Jessie Canard, a two-spirit Anishinaabe multi-disciplinary visual artist and law student at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; Allison Fenske [LLB/07], Clinical Counsel and Director of the UM Community Law Centre at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; Marc Kruse [JD/15], Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; and Kirsten Wurmann a librarian at the Manitoba Law Library and founder of the Manitoba Library Association’s Prison Libraries Committee.
Sentencing Circles, Gladue and IRCA Reports
Thursday, October 30
This Zoom webinar session highlighted the growing use of Gladue Reports, Impact of Race and Culture Assessments and sentencing circles in Canadian courts. Judges and legal experts discussed how these reports provide critical context in sentencing, helping to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous and racialized communities and advance meaningful access to justice.
Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association Criminal Law Section, this panel was moderated by Wendy Martin White, K.C., a lawyer with Phillips Aiello. Panelists included: The Honourable Associate Chief Judge Lee Ann Martin [LLB/00], Provincial Court of Manitoba; The Honourable Judge Jerilee Ryle [LLB/05], Provincial Court of Manitoba; Melissa Brown, Justice Programs Manager, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.; Dr. Patrina Duhaney, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary & founder of Nasura Consulting Inc.; and Zilla Jones [JD/11], Lawyer, Jones Law Office.
Conference organizers are thankful for the hard work of the Faculty of Law’s Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement, Natasha Brown [LLB/05], student research assistant Stefan Lewis (3L), the Law Society of Manitoba’s communications lead Deirdre O’Reilly [BComm/07] and digital learning specialist Clayton McKnight, and the Manitoba Bar Association’s Executive Director Michelle Falk.