Tuesday, October 28 12:00 pm CT – 1:30 pm CT
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 will explore:
- 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
Moderator:
John Burchill, Executive Director, Manitoba Law Reform Commission
John Burchill is the Executive Director of the Manitoba Law Reform Commission and a staff member at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law. staff member at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law. He has a law degree from the University of Manitoba, and an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall, York University. In addition to completing a number of intensive programs in human rights, Indigenous law and hate crimes over the past 20 years, John was in charge of the police hate crimes team for six years during which he developed two training programs in hate crimes and human rights. John also possesses a Diploma in International Environmental Law with a strong interest in the human right to clean water and a healthy environment.
Panelists:
Suzie Dunn, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Law
Suzie Dunn the interim director of the Law & Technology Institute and an assistant professor at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. She teaches contracts, torts, privacy, law and technology, and legal ethics. She coached the winning 2021-2022 Harold G Fox Intellectual Property moot team. Her research centers on the intersections of equality, technology and the law, with a specific focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and social media. She is a research partner on a four-year SSHRC funded research project on young people’s experiences with sexual violence online, DIY Digital Safety. She is also a Senior Fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation where she led phase one of CIGI’s Supporting Safer Digital Spaces project, and a member of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund technology-facilitated violence committee.
Alissa Schacter, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, The Law Society of Manitoba
Alissa is the Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the Law Society of Manitoba, where her role includes leading the Society’s initiatives on access to justice. She previously had responsibility for both equity and policy issues and was involved in coordinating continuing professional development programs. Alissa received her B.A. in Political Studies in 1991 and her LL.B. in 1994, both from the University of Manitoba. She articled at Taylor McCaffrey LLP and was called to the bar in 1995. She practiced family law briefly and then moved into the field of economic development, where she was involved in managing projects with various industry sectors, facilitating public-private partnerships, attracting international investment and developing policy. Alissa has also run her own consulting practice with a focus on communications, strategic planning and project management.
Alissa is currently on the Board of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre and has volunteered with various other community organizations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, yoga, the arts, being active outdoors and spending time with her family and their much-loved Goldendoodle, Olive.
Dr. Katie Szilagyi, Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
Dr. Katie Szilagyi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. Katie studies the intersection of technology law and legal theory with artificial intelligence. She focuses on transdisciplinary research, combining her educational backgrounds in engineering and law with her experience in legal practice. Dr. Szilagyi holds a BSc in Engineering, as well as JD, LLM, and PhD degrees in law. She has published and presented on the transformative impacts of blockchain technology on the legal landscape, as well as the international humanitarian law implications of autonomous weapons systems on the battlefield. Some of her recent research projects include smart agriculture; social robotics; science fiction and the law; ethical frameworks for automated mobility; and conceptualizing the impacts of generative AI on the law.
Mary Troszko, Executive Director, Community Legal Education Association
Mary Troszko is the Executive Director of Community Legal Education Association (CLEA). Mary received her B.A. and LL.B. from the University of Manitoba and has her Call to the Manitoba Bar. Prior to becoming CLEA’s Executive Director, Mary was the Supervisor of the Law Phone-In & Lawyer Referral Program for many years.
During her time at CLEA, Mary has delivered presentations on the law, written and edited plain language legal information publications and has overseen the delivery of public legal education through videos, website FAQs, hotlines, workshops and an on-line course.
Mary has represented CLEA in Manitoba and across the country. She has served on the board of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC) and has acted as PLEAC’s Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President as well as representing CLEA on various committees in the legal community in Manitoba.
Mary and her husband Bill have two daughters, Larissa and Cassandra.
Law Society of Manitoba members: This program is eligible for 1.5 hours of CPD, all of which are considered EPPM. Law Society staff will enter the hours for this program into your CPD Tracker.