Seminar ID

ON-2025-04-24

Date and time

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 10:00 EST see it in calendar

Attendance

• recording

Languages

• in English

CPD hours

Venue

Webinar
Capacity: 150

Description

Conflict of interest - Often overlooked, never irrelevant

This seminar will focus on identifying, preventing and dealing with conflict of interest. It will explain why is it important to identify and prevent a real or a perception of a conflict of interest in immigration practice and why a counsel should always know who their client is.

1. What is a conflict of interest?

• Definition from caselaw
• Guiding principles and policy considerations
• Review of the bright-line legal test and other relevant factors/cases

2. How does a conflict of interest arise?

• Discussion of a few examples of conflicts (breakdown of relationships, joint representation, domestic violence, counsel incompetence, referral fees, employees vs employers, counsel certified in two professions)

3. What to do if you think a conflict of interest arises?

• Verifying that a conflict has arisen
• When can you continue to represent a client, despite the presence of a conflict?
• Waivers of conflict
• Independent legal advice
• Referring to alternate counsel
• Accepting responsibility in a conflict situation

4. Recent updates to the law regarding conflicts of interest and interesting cases of conflict

5. How to anticipate and address conflicts of interest

• Issue spotting during consultation and intake calls
• Conflict checks
• Preparing retainers