Having children and young people as clients may be new territory or may be part of your regular practice. Regardless, unique challenges often arise in the context of this representation. Perhaps most significantly: how do you support your young clients to make decisions about their legal rights and instruct counsel accordingly? Get expert insights on your special ethical obligations and practical strategies for managing your relationship with child and youth clients, including:

• Best practices for communicating with young people
• When do young people have capacity to instruct counsel?
• How to ensure your client’s instructions are fully informed and free of coercion
• Building trust and empowering your young clients
• Parental control: Helpful guidance for handling parents

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Mary Birdsell, Executive Director, Justice for Children and Youth
Emma Rhodes, Barrister and Solicitor

SPEAKERS

Katina Kavassalis, Office of the Children’s Lawyer
Emily McKernan, Justice for Children and Youth 
Eli Cwinn, PhD candidate, Clinical Psychology University of Guelph