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We are proud to share that our Managing Partner, Joanna Sweet, will be presenting at the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) 2026 Fall Conference, Trial. Deconstructed., on Thursday, November 5 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Joanna will lead a live demonstration, “From Credentials to Credibility: An Expert Exam-In-Chief,” alongside OTLA Past President Laurie Tucker of Burn Tucker Lachaîne PC, who will take the stand as the expert witness.
What The Session Covers
Joanna will walk fellow trial lawyers through an expert examination-in-chief from start to finish: qualifying the expert, laying the foundation for admissibility, organizing the evidence, using demonstrative evidence and handling objections along the way.
The session also tackles one of the realities of any trial: what to do when a witness gives an unexpected or unhelpful answer. Joanna will share strategies for managing challenging testimony, keeping control of the examination and pivoting in the moment.
Why This Matters to Our Clients
In personal injury cases, expert evidence commonly shapes how a court understands an injury, how it happened and what it will mean for someone’s future. Doctors, rehabilitation specialists, engineers and economists can all play a role.
Examination-in-chief is where that evidence comes to life. Presenting it clearly, so a judge or jury can follow it and trust it, is a big part of how we advocate for the people we represent.
Join Us in Toronto
We are grateful to OTLA for the opportunity and to Laurie Tucker for joining Joanna on stage. OTLA members can register now through the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and lawyers who are not yet members can join at otla.com/join.
