The New Precedent: AI and the future of Canadian law

Wednesday, September 23
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Design Exchange, 234 Bay St., Toronto

Bringing together leaders from Toronto’s legal community, this exclusive event will explore what the next era of AI-powered legal work means for Canadian firms, and what it takes to adopt AI that is trusted, defensible, and built for the realities of legal practice.

Over a seated lunch, hear from Clio and legal leaders navigating this transformation firsthand, connect with peers across Toronto’s legal community, and see Clio’s latest technology in action. Members of the Clio team will be on hand for 1:1 conversations about where your firm is headed next.

What to expect:

  • Canada’s next chapter: John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO at RBC, joins Clio’s CEO and Founder, Jack Newton, for a conversation on the forces reshaping Canada’s economy, the growing role of AI, and what transformation looks like from inside and outside the legal profession.
  • A masterclass on the shifting economics of legal work: Join Ed Walters, VP of Legal Innovation & Strategy, for a closer look at how AI is changing the economics of legal services and what that means for firms.
  • How Canadian firms are navigating AI right now: What does AI adoption actually look like inside Canadian law firms today? Leaders from Gowling WLG, Goodmans LLP, Gale Law and Galbraith Family Law come together for an open conversation on the decisions they’re making, where they’re seeing real value, what they’ve learned along the way, and what they’d do differently.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Keynote Speakers & Team Clio

Jack Newton

Jack Newton

CEO AND FOUNDER AT CLIO

Jack is a pioneer in cloud-based legal technology and a recognized author and speaker on the future of legal practice. He has spent decades advancing Clio’s mission to transform the legal experience for all.

John Stackhouse

John Stackhouse

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, OFFICE OF THE CEO AT RBC

John is one of Canada’s leading voices on innovation, economic disruption and geopolitical change. John was Editor-in-Chief of The Globe and Mail, where he led its digital transformation, transformed its business and investing coverage, and is the author of four books on Canada and its place in the world.

Ed Walters

Ed Walters

VP, LEGAL INNOVATION & STRATEGY AT CLIO

Ed leads legal innovation collaborations with global law firms and corporate legal departments, bringing the voice of legal professionals into the development of Clio’s technology.

Michelle Dunlea

Michelle Dunlea

VP, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT AT CLIO

Known for her strong customer-centric mindset, Michelle leads Clio’s product strategy, focusing on unifying and innovating legal technology solutions.

Luke Slan

Luke Slan

GENERAL MANAGER, CANADA AT CLIO

Luke leads growth and innovation for the Canadian legal market.

Industry Speakers

Al Hounsell

Al Hounsell

SR. DIRECTOR, AI INNOVATION & KNOWLEDGE AT GOWLING WLG

Al Hounsell is a globally recognized futurist and innovation leader focused on AI and the transformation of legal and professional services. He teaches legal innovation, AI, and technology at Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and was named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in 2025.

Kim Gale

Kim Gale

FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL LAWYER AT GALE LAW

Kim Gale is an advocate, mediator, and legal entrepreneur specializing in estate litigation and dispute resolution. She holds an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School and is the founder of Gale Law, Gale Mediation, Law for Millennials, and NCA Network.

Brian Galbraith

Brian Galbraith

OWNER & FOUNDER, GALBRAITH FAMILY LAW

Brian is a recognized advocate for innovation in family law. He is known for leveraging technology to make legal services more efficient and accessible, while championing mediation and Collaborative Practice as effective approaches to resolving family disputes.

Anita Susac-Bilyk

Anita Susac-Bilyk

SENIOR MANAGER, LIBRARY SERVICES AT GOODMANS LLP

Anita is the firm’s Manager of Library Services. Together with her team, she supports the firm’s lawyers and law students with legal and business research, research training and current awareness.

Agenda

11 a.m. - Arrival & Networking

Connect with fellow Toronto legal professionals and the Clio team over informal conversation before lunch.

11:30 a.m. - Seated Lunch & Keynote: Canada’s Next Chapter

Welcome Remarks: Michelle Dunlea, Vice President, Product Management at Clio

Jack Newton – CEO and Founder at Clio
John Stackhouse – Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO at RBC

John Stackhouse joins Jack Newton for a candid conversation on the forces reshaping Canada’s economy, the growing role of AI, and what transformation looks like from inside and outside the legal profession.

*CPD Accredited

12:30 p.m. - Dessert & Networking

Continue the conversation with peers and the Clio team while enjoying dessert.

1:00 p.m. - Industry Perspective: Adoption at the Firm Level

Al Hounsell, Senior Director of AI Innovation at Gowling WLG, joins Canadian legal leaders Brian Galbraith, Galbraith Family Law and Kim Gale, Gale Law, for a candid conversation on what AI adoption actually looks like in reality: where human judgment can’t be automated away, how to manage change without losing your team, and what it takes to get buy-in from partners to paralegals.

*CPD Accredited

2:00 p.m. - The Shifting Economics of Legal Work

Ed Walters – VP, Legal Innovation and Strategy at Clio

Explore the shifting economics of legal work, how AI is changing the traditional billable-hour model, and which pricing models are built to hold up over the next few years.

*CPD Accredited

2:45 p.m. - Networking and Demos

Close out the afternoon by connecting with peers and exploring Clio’s latest technology through hands-on demos and deeper conversations with the Clio team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the event free to attend?

Yes, this event is free to attend!

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for legal professionals in the GTA who are interested in having meaningful peer discussions and hearing about what AI means for Canadian law firms right now.

Is this event for Clio customers only?

This event is open to Canadian legal professionals! We would love to see you whether you currently use Clio or not.

What sessions are CPD eligible?

All three sessions are CPD eligible.

How do I receive CPD credit?

To receive CPD credit, you must attend the full duration of the sessions and check in at the event with the name and email address associated with your LSO account.

Following the event, we will send you a confirmation of attendance via email within one business week for your records. You will be responsible for self-reporting the CPD hours through the LSO Portal.

Can I bring my whole team?

Yes, this event is a chance to discuss what’s next for AI and the Canadian legal industry, network with local leaders, and engage in meaningful conversations. Please ensure all attendees register separately.

Getting to the venue

The Design Exchange is located at 234 Bay Street (Bay and Wellington) and is easily accessible by Uber/taxi, TTC, and the Path.

If you are driving, there are several paid parking garages near the venue.

I can't attend for the duration of the event. Should I still come?

Absolutely—that’s no problem at all! We understand that lawyers have busy schedules, and you’re welcome to arrive late or leave early as needed. Feel free to join us for whatever portion of the event works best for you. We’ll be happy to see you!