Step Back to Lead Forward


The CBA In-House Leadership Retreat brings together senior in-house counsel for a full day of reflection, peer discussion, and connection at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Toronto Island — just minutes from downtown by ferry.

This year's sessions are built around what Canadian legal departments are actually facing: rising litigation risk, AI compliance, and a surge in HR and employment challenges.

Participation is intentionally limited to keep the environment interactive and the conversations candid.

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Please note: The program is being finalized. Session topics and speakers are subject to change.

9:00amArrival & Breakfast
9:30amOpening Remarks
9:45am

Litigation Leadership: From Reactive to Ready
Sponsored by Stockwoods LLP

Canadian legal departments are anticipating a significant increase in litigation — and the data signals that litigation readiness is no longer episodic. It is a core leadership capability. Join litigation experts from Stockwoods LLP to explore how senior in-house counsel can rethink litigation strategy at an enterprise level, covering three dimensions:

AI as a strategic lever, not just a cost tool: How sophisticated in-house teams are using AI to inform early case strategy, sharpen decision-making, and create leverage while keeping governance and risk in focus.
Trial-ready organizations: Why the most effective strategies begin long before a claim materializes, and how to embed litigation awareness into investigations, record-keeping, and executive decision-making.
Managing multi-dimensional disputes: How to orchestrate a coordinated response when litigation spans civil, regulatory, employment, and reputational fronts simultaneously.

10:35amPanel discussion 
11:25amBreak
11:45amPanel discussion
12:30pmLunch
1:45pmPanel discussion
2:35pmPanel discussion
3:25pmBreak
3:45pm
Peer-to-Peer Leadership Roundtables
A perennial favourite at the Retreat, these small-group discussions provide space for candid conversations on the issues that matter most. Participants exchange experiences, share practical insights, and learn from peers navigating similar leadership challenges.
4:30pm
Closing Remarks & Reception