Law students found attending the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association annual conference to be invaluable. Left to right: Christophe Towells (2L), Kelsey Scott (2L), Sarah Shuttleworth (2L), Danica Grierson (1L), Kaitlyn Clarke (2L), Aliaa Al-Saadi (1L), Tanner Kornelsen (1L).
Learning from professionals
Law students interested in criminal law practice attend defence lawyers association conference
On December 4 and 5, 2024, law students from the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre and the Criminal Law Group participated in the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba [CDLAM] annual conference. As a professional association representing the interests of Manitoba criminal defence lawyers, CDLAM brings together lawyers, law students and other justice system participants to reflect on the last year in criminal law, explore emerging issues, and call attention to the unique professional challenges of criminal defence lawyering.
The conference began with a discussion of the impact of race and culture assessments (IRCAs) and detailed how defence attorneys can and should use these assessments to better support their racialized clients. This presentation provided an opportunity for meaningful discourse around the impact racial discrimination on many clients.
On the topic of individual vulnerabilities within clients, Legal Aid Manitoba staff lawyer Hillarie Tasche [LLM/24] shared statistics around adult sentence applications for youth offenders. Tasche spoke about the complexities of working with young people caught up in the criminal justice system and identified multiple gaps in the process and considerations for uniquely vulnerable and challenged youth.
Aliaa Al-Saadi [1L] found Tasche’s particularly informative, noting, “I really enjoyed the presentation on youth sentencing and found it incredibly insightful, particularly the issue of youth being sentenced as adults. Tasche highlighted individualized considerations that need to be understood and acknowledged throughout the process.”
The legendary Brian Greenspan spoke about the implications media and the public have on the standing presumption of innocence. Greenspan highlighted how impactful public perception can be during a trial. Many personal stories were shared of the turmoil that can ensue from media mishaps and the toll this can take on clients.
Other topics covered in this year’s conference included sentencing in drug cases, search warrants, and impeachment, alongside robust discussions of the role of the defence, the politicization of justice, and lawyering in modern times.
The open discourse and continuing education provided an excellent opportunity for law students interested in and heading into the practice of criminal law. Tanner Kornelsen [1L] was eager to attend the annual conference to get a deeper look into the profession. “The topics and speakers were informative on areas that we can’t delve into as much in class. The ‘Year in Review’ felt like a very real conversation with different criminal justice system perspectives. Overall, the event was good preparation for aspiring lawyers and an opportunity to engage with the wider professional community.”
The generous support of student attendance at the conference from both CDLAM and its member Kathy Bueti, K.C. [LLB/00] provided an eye-opening opportunity for students to explore the practice of law and reflects the faculty’s deep relationships with Manitoba’s legal community. Early participation of students in lawyers’ continuing education events introduces students to the importance of life-longing learning that is a hallmark of the legal profession.
Experiences like this are also a further complement to the valuable experiential learning opportunities available within the Faculty of Law, like the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre and student interest groups like the Criminal Law Group. Students interested in exploring further criminal law opportunities within the Faculty of Law can reach out to UMCLC Director Allison Fenske [LLB/07] and keep an eye out for upcoming events with the Criminal Law Group.