PBSC SUMMER
LEARNING INSTITUTE
June - August 2026
ABOUT THE
SUMMER LEARNING INSTITUTE
In 2023, PBSC launched the Summer Learning Institute (SLI) to equip the legal profession, particularly emerging lawyers, with the skills and capacity to challenge systemic inequities and promote inclusion. Through a series of virtual sessions delivered by knowledgeable facilitators in both English and French, the SLI brings together PBSC’s extended network to engage in critical learning and reflection.
All of our sessions will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. These sessions should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
Invitations to register for the SLI will be distributed to the PBSC community, partner organizations, student legal clinics, and interested law firms in early to mid‑May 2026. Registration links for the general public will be posted on this website in late May.
AGENDA
June 4, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Revitalizing Indigenous Legal Traditions
(English with live French interpretation)
Lindsay Borrows
Professor, Queen's University Faculty of Law
Indigenous Peoples own laws are in an era of resurgence, after generations of systematic suppression under Canadian laws and policy. One way that legal professionals today are responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action is to create and engage methods to support the revitalization of Indigenous legal traditions. This presentation will provide participants with initial training in one Indigenous legal revitalization method. Together we will identify ways to engage with Indigenous laws appropriately and respectfully in our current and future practice.
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
June 18, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Barriers to Accessing Justice
(English)
Jennifer Leitch
Executive Director
National Self-Represented Litigants Project
This webinar will explore the barriers to justice confronting a broad demographic of Canadians who cannot access traditional legal representation. These barriers include the ever-increasing costs of justice, the continued inaccessibility of legal institutions as well as the intersecting identities of those seeking justice. The webinar will challenge its audience to explore the legal profession’s role in promoting access to justice on an individual and systemic level and the methods that might be deployed. Also, the rewards of engaging in such a commitment will be demonstrated.
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
18 juin 2026 | 12 h - 13 h 30 (heure de l'Est)
Au-delà des divisions : bâtir des alliances inclusives authentiques
(Français)
Bibiana Pulido
Cofondatrice et directrice executive
Le Réseau interuniversitaire québécois pour l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion (RIQEDI)
Au-delà des divisions : bâtir des alliances inclusives authentiques est un atelier interactif qui invite les participant·es à réfléchir au rôle de l’alliance dans un contexte social marqué par la polarisation et les tensions autour des enjeux d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (EDI). À partir d’exemples concrets et d’une approche anti-oppressive, cet atelier propose d’explorer les défis, les responsabilités et les impacts d’une alliance véritablement inclusive. Les participant·es sont amené·es à échanger et à identifier des actions concrètes pour renforcer des relations plus justes, courageuses et solidaires dans leurs milieux et société.
Cette session donnera droit à des heures de formation professionnelle continue auprès du Barreau de la Colombie-Britannique et du Barreau de l'Ontario. Cette session devrait être reconnue comme formation continue pour les avocats de tout le Canada.
July 9, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Beyond Allyship: Anti-Racism in Legal Practice
(English)
Nana Yanful
Lawyer and Former Founding Legal Director at the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)
Beyond Allyship is a dynamic session that explores what it means to move beyond allyship and engage more deeply with anti-racism practice in legal and institutional settings. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on real-world examples and engage in discussion on how racism operates across legal processes, workplaces and professional relationships, and will leave with tools to support more effective interventions in their work.
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
9 juillet 2026 | 12 h - 13 h 30 (heure de l'Est)
Formation portant sur le langage inclusif
(Français)
Michaël Lessard
Professeur à la Faculté de droit
de l'Université de Sherbrooke
La formation offrira un tour d’horizon des principales techniques de rédaction inclusive ainsi que le contexte historique qui a mené à leur émergence. Elle illustrera également comment ces techniques prennent forme dans un contexte juridique et proposera des exercices pour mettre en pratique les connaissances acquises.
Cette session donnera droit à des heures de formation professionnelle continue auprès du Barreau de la Colombie-Britannique et du Barreau de l'Ontario. Cette session devrait être reconnue comme formation continue pour les avocats de tout le Canada.
July 16, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Trauma-Informed Lawyering
(English)
Yukimi Henry
Associate Vice President, Student Experience
Sheridan College
This session on trauma-informed lawyering explores the physiological impacts of trauma and offers strategies for effectively supporting and working with individuals who have experienced it. Participants will also examine the realities of vicarious trauma and reflect on practices to sustain their own well-being in legal and advocacy work.
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
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16 juillet 2026 | 12 h - 13 h 30 (heure del'Est)
Introduction à la communication claire du droit
(Français)
Une organisme de bienfaisance dont la mission est de rendre le droit accessible et facile à comprendre avec communication claire du droit et éducation juridique.
L’atelier interactif d’Éducaloi sur la communication claire du droit permettra aux participant·es d’identifier des trucs pratiques pour vulgariser le droit de façon plus accessible, d’expliquer l’importance d’adapter leurs communications à leur public, ainsi que de comprendre les bases de la communication juridique claire, ses avantages et les façons concrètes de la mettre en pratique.
Cette session donnera droit à des heures de formation professionnelle continue auprès du Barreau de la Colombie-Britannique et du Barreau de l'Ontario. Cette session devrait être reconnue comme formation continue pour les avocats de tout le Canada.
July 30, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Legal Practice, Self-Care, & Stress Management
(English)
Yukimi Henry
Associate Vice President, Student Experience
Sheridan College
This session offers practical tools for navigating challenging cases and emotionally demanding topics in a way that supports both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. This session will explore sustainable approaches to managing stress, setting boundaries, and maintaining resilience while continuing to serve clients with care and competence.
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
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30 juillet 2026 | 12 h - 13 h 30 (heure de l'Est)
La pratique du droit tenant compte des traumatismes
(Français)
Dre Katia Germain
Psychiatre et avocate
Cette formation aborde à la fois l’impact du trauma sur les clients et les autres parties concernées, ainsi que les effets possibles sur les avocats eux-mêmes, en vue de favoriser une pratique plus éthique, réfléchie et humaine.
Cette session donnera droit à des heures de formation professionnelle continue auprès du Barreau de la Colombie-Britannique et du Barreau de l'Ontario. Cette session devrait être reconnue comme formation continue pour les avocats de tout le Canada.
August 13, 2026 | 12-1:30pm EDT
Introduction to Clear Legal Communication
(English)
Charitable organization whose mission is to make law accessible through clear communication and legal education.
Éducaloi’s interactive workshop on clear legal communication will allow participants to identify practical tips for making the law more accessible, explain the importance of tailoring their communications to their audience, and understand the fundamentals of clear legal communication, its benefits, and concrete ways to put it into practice.
This session is sponsored by
This session will be accredited for continuing professional development ("CPD") hours with the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society of Ontario. This session should qualify as continuing professional development for lawyers across Canada.
13 août 2026 | 12 h - 13 h 30 (heure de l'Est)
Pratique juridique, bien-être et gestion du stress
(Français)
Dre Katia Germain
Psychiatre et avocate
Pour prévenir l’épuisement professionnel et l’usure de compassion, il est essentiel de prendre soin de soi. Il s’agit de cultiver la résilience et de maintenir un équilibre sain entre vie personnelle et professionnelle. Lors de cette rencontre, nous explorerons les sources de stress, les signes avant-coureurs, ainsi que des stratégies concrètes pour intégrer le bien-être au quotidien.
Cette session donnera droit à des heures de formation professionnelle continue auprès du Barreau de la Colombie-Britannique et du Barreau de l'Ontario. Cette session devrait être reconnue comme formation continue pour les avocats de tout le Canada.
INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
PBSC'S SUMMER LEARNING INSTITUTE?
Invitations to register for the SLI will be distributed to the PBSC community, partner organizations, student legal clinics, and interested law firms in early to mid‑May 2026. Registration links for the general public will be posted on this website in late May.
NATIONAL FUNDERS
Leaders in the industry, our national funders and partners make PBSC's mission possible.
Principal Funder
Founding Partner
National Law Firm Partner
