Stay informed on the latest business and legal insights and events.
Speaking Engagements
Legacy Builders Live Webcast
June 12, 2025
Leah Tolton spoke on June 12 in a live conversation hosted by Beacon Family Enterprise Consulting. The session, Bridging Family Legacy with Business Performance, was part of an ongoing series exploring the intersection of family values and enterprise success.
Uncovering the CETA Opportunity
June 11, 2025
George Reid spoke on June 11, 2025, at a panel hosted by the City of Toronto titled Uncovering the CETA Opportunity. Held at the North York Civic Centre, the event convened government and industry leaders to explore trade and investment opportunities between Canada and the European Union under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
From Retaliation to Negotiation: How Canada’s US Trade Strategy is Shifting Under Carney
June 07, 2025
Jessica Horwitz speaks with The Globe and Mail about how Canada’s countertariffs continue to hurt many importers, with recent clarifications further narrowing the eligibility for exemptions. Whatever happens next, as Mr. Carney and his team weigh the pros and cons of fighting back against Mr. Trump or playing nice, she said the government needs to get better at communicating.
Insights on Tariff Strategy and Cross-Border Trade Compliance
May 08, 2025
Sabrina Bandali spoke at the 2025 AIAG Customs & Trade Conference** in the session *Driving North American Trade*. She provided Canadian insights into recent developments in trade and tariff policy
Brendan Sigalet on Clean Investment Tax Credits
May 05, 2025
Brendan Sigalet spoke at the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Environmental Law South Section's Clean Incentives: Understanding the Investment Tax Credit Landscape in Canada program on May 5, 2025.
Due Diligence for Tenants at ICSC CANADIAN LAW
May 02, 2025
co-led an engaging roundtable discussion on Basic Due Diligence for Tenants at the ICSC+CANADIAN LAW conference in Toronto on May 2, 2025
Introduction to Employee Ownership Trusts With CIBC Financial
April 29, 2025
Wesley Novotny, Osie Ukwuoma, and Wade Ritchie spoke to CIBC’s financial, tax, and estate planning professionals on Canada’s new Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) framework.
Jessica Horwitz Discusses Trade Policy at ABA International Conference
April 28, 2025
Jessica Horwitz spoke at the 2025 ABA International Law Section Annual Conference in New York on the panel Understanding the America First Trade Policy and Its Implications for Global Supply Chains.
Buyer (Counsel) Beware of an Apportionment of Damages
April 09, 2025
Simon Crawford was a featured speaker at the 22nd Real Estate Law Summit, sharing key insights during his session, Buyer (Counsel) Beware of an Apportionment of Damages. Head of Bennett Jones’ Real Estate Industry team, Simon is a sought-after thought leader in the sector, known for his practical guidance, deep industry knowledge and ability to unpack complex legal issues into actionable strategies for clients and counsel alike.
Litigating Contract Disputes
April 09, 2025
James Heelan spoke at The Advocates’ Society program on Litigating Contract Disputes.
What Should Be the Top Energy Taxation Priorities for a New Government?
April 01, 2025
Brendan Sigalet was a featured speaker at the C.D. Howe Institute’s Energy Policy Council on What Should Be the Top Energy Taxation Priorities for a New Government? His presentation explored the current state of Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) in Canada and proposed practical paths for improvement.
Fundamentals of Oil & Gas Taxation
January 08, 2025
On January 8, 2025, Wade Ritchie and Brendan Sigalet were invited by the Tax Court of Canada to present on the fundamentals of oil & gas taxation to an audience of the Court's law clerks. Members of the Bennett Jones Tax group, Wade and Brendan explored crucial insights into this specialized area of tax law.
Risks of Cost Estimates: From Development to Dispute
December 10, 2024
Chris Petrucci moderated a panel discussion on “Risks of Cost Estimates: From Development to Dispute” at the Construction Super Conference in Las Vegas. Joined by leading industry and legal experts, Chris explored practical strategies to help mitigate the risks associated with cost estimates and shared key insights on navigating disputes when cost projections fall short.
Navigating First Time Fund Formation
November 27, 2024
Elizabeth Dylke moderated a Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association webinar titled Navigating First-Time Fund Formation. The panel delved into the processes and challenges of launching a first-time investment fund.
The Eight-Minute Real Estate Lawyer 2024
November 19, 2024
Simon Crawford and Craig Garbe were featured speakers for The Eight-Minute Real Estate Lawyer program’s Fall 2024 iteration. The program looked at critical topics shaping the real estate industry—including legislative updates and key takeaways from recent case law.
Economic Sanctions Comparison among the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union
November 14, 2024
Sabrina A. Bandali spoke on the panel Economic Sanctions Comparison among the US, Canada, UK, and the European Union. The panel explored the growing scope of economic sanctions imposed by these jurisdictions, particularly in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sabrina contributed her expertise to discussions on the legal and regulatory aspects of sanctions policies across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and the European Union, focusing on the procedures for adding individuals and organizations to sanctions lists, advising companies on export controls and merchandise transfers and navigating the complexities of investigating and prosecuting sanctions violations.
Barbara Kimmitt on Matters Beyond Wealth
October 03, 2024
Barbara Kimmitt recently was a guest on RBC Wealth Management's Matters Beyond Wealth podcast.
This episode discussed common misconceptions surrounding trusts, including the belief that they are only relevant for the ultra-wealthy or minors. The episode also explored the unique benefits and considerations associated with lifetime trusts, emphasizing their role in a variety of estate planning strategies.
Geopolitical Risks and Their Impact on Canada: Why Rising Concerns Shouldn’t be Ignored
October 02, 2024
John Baird served as a speaker at the Edmonton Real Estate Forum. His presentation, titled "Geopolitical Risks and Their Impact on Canada: Why Rising Concerns Shouldn’t Be Ignored," addressed crucial issues surrounding geopolitical dynamics and their implications for the Canadian real estate market. John’s insightful analysis provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical landscape and how it intersects with the real estate sector.
ESG in PropTech and its Impacts on Commercial Real Estate
September 16, 2024
Natalia Iamundo spoke on ESG in PropTech and its Impacts on Commercial Real Estate at The Law Society of Ontario's recent event, The Eight-Minute Environmental Lawyer 2024. Natalia highlighted the critical role of proptech in decarbonizing the real estate sector, which is responsible for 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. She emphasized that digitalization and emerging technologies—such as smart buildings and construction technology—are driving a shift toward greener, healthier spaces.
Surviving a CBSA Audit
July 08, 2024
Sabrina A. Bandali spoke as a panelist at the 2024 ICPA Canada Conference, during a session titled "Surviving a CBSA Audit," offering practical strategies and insights to help businesses successfully navigate audits conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Sabrina's experience and knowledge in customs and trade matters provided conference attendees insights into enhancing their compliance practices and mitigating potential risks associated with customs audits.
Bennett Jones