EMPOWER ::
Legal Leadership Conference
Empowering Canadian Legal Leaders
to Shape Tomorrow.
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May 28-29, 2025 | The Glenerin Inn, Mississauga
Welcome to EMPOWER
Conference Schedule
DAY 1 :: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
DAY 2 :: Thursday, May 29, 2025
12:00 p.m.
Arrival, Registration and Hotel check-in
12:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 p.m.
Opening + Land Acknowledgement +
Day 1 Overview
Jane Southren – LLB/JD – Founder, Southren Group Inc.
1:45 p.m.
Introduction + Context for Conference
Paul Wilson – COO, WeirFoulds LLP
Being a law firm leader means carrying a lot—often all at once. In this opening session, Paul sets the tone for the conference with a candid look at the foundational elements of law firm leadership: people, clients, and finances. He’ll unpack the challenges of balancing strategic decision-making with day-to-day demands—and how to do it without losing your clarity, focus, or sanity along the way.
2:15 p.m.
Session 1 :: What is Leadership?
Stephen Mabey, CPA – Managing Director Applied Strategies Inc.
What does it really mean to lead a law firm? In this interactive session, Stephen will define leadership versus management, explore four common traits that can limit leadership in lawyers, and examine six classic leadership styles—plus an emerging seventh, shaped by today’s legal climate. Learn how leadership style can directly impact firm culture and profitability.
3:10 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
Session 2 :: Leading Law Firms in a VUCA World – What Clients Expect and Why They Stay. Or Don’t.
Jane Southren – LLB/JD – Founder, Southren Group Inc.
In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, law firm leaders must lead their firms and lawyers to be able to navigate shifting client expectations and simultaneously foster lasting relationships. In this dynamic panel, in-house executives responsible for engaging and instructing external counsel share what drives loyalty—and what breaks it. They will explore what truly differentiates firms in the eyes of clients, and give their perspective on what a client-centric culture that sustains lasting relationships looks like.
4:30 p.m.
Day 1 Wrap Up + Questions
Facilitated by Jane, Paul and Stephen
4:45 p.m.
Hotel Room Access
Collect Keys and Settle In
5:30 p.m.
Cocktails
6:30 p.m.
Dinner, Networking and Evening Session
David vs. Goliath: Empowering Small and Mid-Sized Canadian Law Firms to Triumph in Talent Wars
Warren Smith, LLB – Managing Partner, Smith Legal Search
With increasing pressure from international firms and large national players, small and mid-sized Canadian firms face a growing challenge in attracting and retaining top talent. This session explores the shifts reshaping the legal talent market, and how nimble firms can turn agility and culture into strategic advantages. Learn actionable tactics to compete—and win—amidst seismic change.
8:30 p.m.
Cash bar and networking (bar closes at 10:30 p.m.)
8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
9:30 a.m.
Welcome Back + Day 2 Overview
Jane Southren
9:45 a.m.
Session 4 :: Leading a Profitable Firm – What are Key Performances Indicators and Why Do They Matter
Jordan Weinberg, CPA, CA & Phillip Spring, CPA, CA
MNP
Profitability doesn’t happen by accident. Learn which KPIs every law firm should track to support strong decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and foster long-term growth. Turn your firm’s data into a powerful leadership tool.
10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:45 a.m.
Participant Information Exchange* (“PIE”)
Participant Information Exchange ("PIE") facilitates small-group candid discussions (Chatham House Rule) on critical issues facing law firm leaders. To ensure relevancy, the groups are made up of firms of similar size.
Participants will be assigned a group and colour sticker showing which group they belong to will be on their nametag (and available under the QR code)
PIE Part #1
Green (Small Firms) Jane Southren
Red (Mid-Sized Firms) Stephen Mabey
Yellow (Large Firms) Paul Wilson
12:15 p.m.
Lunch
1:15 p.m.
PIE Part #2
Green (Small Firms) Jane Southren
Red (Mid-Sized Firms) Stephen Mabey
Yellow (Large Firms) Paul Wilson
2:15 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:30 p.m.
PIE Part #3
Green (Small Firms) Jane Southren
Red (Mid-Sized Firms) Stephen Mabey
Yellow (Large Firms) Paul Wilson
3:30 p.m.
Closing Session: Wrap Up + Conclusion
Facilitated by Jane, Paul + Stephen
Reflect on key takeaways from our time together, share final thoughts, and join an open Q&A with the conference hosts. We'll also explore how we can continue to support your leadership journey beyond EMPOWER.
3:45 p.m.
Depart