This program contains 45 minutes of Professionalism content and 1 hour, 45 minutes of Substantive content
Friday, November 10th, 2023
Online via Zoom
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speakers:
Laura Geddes, Siskinds LLP
Casey Hayward, Carlyle Peterson Lawyers LLP
Kerry McGladdery Dent, Spero Law
Erin Naylor, Scott Petrie LLP
Shelby Sandford, London Trauma Therapy
Dr. Darcy Harris, King's University College at Western University
Leenat Jilani, Spero Law
Cate Grainger, Harrison Pensa LLP
Committee Chair:
Jennifer Hawn, Lawyer/Associate, Spero Law
Our 19th Annual Conference offers a full agenda with an incredible group of experts. The morning will include:
Wills – 101 – Foundational Steps for a Wills Practice
- Identification, Intake Interview and Retainer Scope
- Registered Assets
- Signing Issues
Panel – Carrying the Mental Load of a Wills and Estates Practice
- Social worker, grief professor, and lawyer perspectives
Estate Administration
- Who is Your Client & Estate Administration Intake
- Valuing Unusual Assets
- Intestate Issues
*Two 10-minute breaks are scheduled throughout the morning.
Our Speakers:
Erin M. Naylor is a wills, estates and corporate lawyer. Her practice focuses on estate and succession planning and estate administration. Erin assists individuals and families with a wide range of planning, including business succession, providing for family members with disabilities, and blended families. She also works with families during the difficult times prior to and after the death of a loved one, and throughout the administration of estates and trusts.
Erin is a member of the Board of Directors of the London Community Foundation. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario Law School in 2009 and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2010. During her time at Western Law, Erin was coordinator of the UWO chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada, a caseworker with the Community Legal Services legal clinic, and an intern with the Dispute Resolution Centre.
Kerry McGladdery Dent is a partner at Spero Law. Kerry has a diverse solicitor practice that includes wills and estates, corporate/commercial law, and real estate. Kerry also advises non-profit and charitable boards on governance issues, fiduciary obligations, and crisis management. A lifelong volunteer, Kerry currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of London CARES. Kerry lives in London with her partner and their two children.
Laura E. Geddes practices estate planning and administration at Siskinds LLP, in London, Ontario. Laura regularly advises clients on estate planning strategies ranging from the straightforward to the complex. She also regularly advises clients who are acting as an estate trustee, or as a substitute decision maker, on their duties and obligations. She has a particular interest in estate planning for families with a loved one who receives Ontario Disability Support Payments, including the preparation of Henson Trusts. Laura is a certified Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Outside of work, Laura enjoys reading, trying to achieve a passable level of competence on a variety of musical instruments, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Cate Grainger is an Estate Lawyer in London with the Harrison Pensa Wills, Estates, Trusts, and Charities Law Group. Her practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, corporate succession strategies, and not-for-profit law. Cate is distinguished in her field as an internationally recognized Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). It's a designation that identifies her advanced knowledge and experience to identify and address developments in the trusts and estates industry. Cate's clients range from individuals to multi-generational families who turn to her for help planning a will and power of attorney, preparing a living will, and structuring estates to ensure that loved ones will be protected after they pass away. She helps clients navigate intestate issues, undertake executor responsibilities, as well as anticipate and manage the tax implications of estate plans, and minimize income tax, capital gains, and probate taxes triggered by death.
Passionate about lifelong learning and critical thinking, Shelby Sandford graduated from Western with degrees in Philosophy and Psychology, and a certificate in Thanatology. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Shelby has spent the last 10 years supporting families through the aftermath of workplace tragedy. She currently works as a grief and bereavement specialist at the London Centre for Trauma Therapy, helping adults process trauma, death, and non-death losses. As someone who has been personally impacted by traumatic bereavement, Shelby knows firsthand the healing power of being heard and understood by a qualified therapist.
Shelby has completed EMDRIA-approved training in EMDR, and works from a transtheoretical approach. She draws most heavily from Mindful Self-Compassion, Attachment Theory, and body-based mindfulness interventions.
Casey Hayward graduated from King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario, with a B.A. in Political Science in 2007. He obtained his law degree from the University of Birmingham (UK) in 2009, and worked for a youth mental health charity before being called to the Ontario Bar in 2012. Prior to moving back to London, he and his wife, Jennifer, lived in the Bay of Quinte region for several years. He maintains a solicitor practice, focusing primarily on real estate, agricultural/corporate/commercial, and estate matters. Casey formerly served as Real Estate Chair and Vice-President of the Hastings County Law Association, and currently serves as a director for the King’s University College Alumni Association and King’s University College Foundation. He and Jennifer welcomed their son, Kieran, in June of 2021.
Leenat Jilani is a Lawyer, Londoner, Human Rights advocate and Visible Muslim Woman. She is passionate about social justice, and became a lawyer to support those struggling with the difficult systems that surround us. Leenat boldly advocates for her clients. From drafting specialized Wills to representing clients in the courtroom, she is committed to ensuring her clients are informed, heard and involved in every step of the way. She listens and works hard to cater her legal solutions to each client’s unique needs.
Being part of the Spero team means Leenat gets to practice her passion every day. Spero law is the place where one will find the perfect combination of strong advocacy, integrity and compassion. We tell the truth. We give it our all and we get it. Being part of a team that collaborates, means that each client gets the best advice with the combined experience of the entire firm at all times.
Outside of work, as a board member at Anova, Leenat strives to help create a world where gender-based violence and the patriarchal structures that facilitate them no longer exist. She dreams of a world where her daughter can one day be safe.
If you have any questions about this program, please email Tracy Fawdry, Executive Director of the Middlesex Law Association at cle@middlaw.on.ca.
Terms & Conditions: By registering for this program, I acknowledge that my email address will be used to invite me to this Zoom CPD and will be facilitated by the Middlesex Law Association. We will take reasonable steps to ensure the security of the CPD program on Zoom (see Zoom’s terms & conditions.)
Refund Policy: The Middlesex Law Association will refund the registration fee + HST if cancellation is received THREE business days before the CPD program.
Registration: Register online then payment can be made online, via e-transfer, or by cheque. If paying by e-transfer, please e-transfer the total amount above to library@middlaw.on.ca using the security code: CPD2023WILLSCONF (case sensitive). If you have trouble with the e-transfer, please email us.
Accessibility: If you have any accessibility requirements, please let us know and we will accommodate you.
This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.
