Desautels Conflict Competency Accelerator
Workshop Registration
Practical conflict-resolution skills for legal practice and beyond.
REGISTRATION
Register for the learning opportunity that meets your needs.
The Desautels Conflict Competency Accelerator is designed for Faculty of Law students, articling students, lawyers, and other legal professionals.
Workshop Registration: $200 per workshop
Faculty of Law students and articling students: $50 per workshop
Students and professionals from other disciplines who are interested in participating are welcome to contact us about availability.
Mediation training is offered separately, with a different registration fee.
Ready to begin? Start with the Year One foundational workshops below.
YEAR ONE
Introduction to Conflict Competency
This foundational workshop introduces participants to the nature of conflict and the core concepts that shape how we understand and respond to it. Before learning what to do in conflict, participants learn how to see it: how conflict emerges, how it presents itself, and what may be happening beneath the surface. Participants will explore foundational conflict theory and frameworks, together with the range of approaches available for intervention—from informal interpersonal responses to formal legal processes. The workshop introduces the conflict intervention continuum and provides the foundation for the skills and strategies developed throughout the Desautels Conflict Competency Accelerator.
Legal Ethics and Conflict Resolution
In this course, we will learn the ethical rules of conflict resolution and how they apply to lawyers when advising clients, resolving disputes between two or more clients, and representing clients in a conflict resolution process. Through simulations and practical examples, we will explain how the ethical issues may arise and the most effective way to address those issues. Our analysis will focus on the Federation of Law Societies’ Model Code of Professional Conduct.
Identifying Interests
What motivates people to resolve a conflict? Is it always just about money? In this practical, hands-on course, we will be examining how to expand options for resolving conflicts by identifying your interests and the interests of opposing parties.
Power In Conflict Resolution
In this practical workshop, we will discuss various sources of institutional and personal power; the impact of power in creating conflict; constructive versus destructive uses of power, and the relationship among interests, rights, and power. We will also examine effective strategies and processes for managing power in resolving conflict. You will participate in a number of experiential exercises to help illustrate workshop concepts.
Conflict Coaching: Conversations at the Edge: Navigating Conflict, Limits, and Impasse
Some conversations are difficult. Others feel impossible. This practical workshop explores how to navigate difficult, crucial, and seemingly impossible conversations — including how to prepare, communicate effectively, recognize when a conversation has reached its limits, and know when walking away may be the most productive choice.
YEAR TWO
Students who complete the Foundational Workshops in their first year and the Mediation training, may move directly into the next stage of the Accelerator in their second year without repeating them.
Introduction to Conflict Competence
This foundational workshop introduces participants to the nature of conflict and the core concepts that shape how we understand and respond to it. Before learning what to do in conflict, participants learn how to see it: how conflict emerges, how it presents itself, and what may be happening beneath the surface. Participants will explore foundational conflict theory and frameworks, together with the range of approaches available for intervention—from informal interpersonal responses to formal legal processes. The workshop introduces the conflict intervention continuum and provides the foundation for the skills and strategies developed throughout the Desautels Conflict Competency Accelerator.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Legal Ethics in Conflict Resolution
In this course, we will learn the ethical rules of conflict resolution and how they apply to lawyers when advising clients, resolving disputes between two or more clients, and representing clients in a conflict resolution process. Through simulations and practical examples, we will explain how the ethical issues may arise and the most effective way to address those issues. Our analysis will focus on the Federation of Law Societies’ Model Code of Professional Conduct.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Conflict Coaching: Anger, Aggression, and Assertiveness in Conflict Resolution
What do you do if the other side is in a rage? Or worse, if your client is angry? In this course, we will explore strategies to deal with anger - including your own anger - and to ensure that this sort of frustration does not disadvantage you or your client.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Conflict Coaching: Conflict Styles, Consensus Building and Conflict Resolution
This workshop explores practical approaches to understanding and working with conflict, with particular attention to conflict styles, consensus building, and conflict resolution. Participants will consider how different approaches to conflict influence interactions and outcomes, and develop strategies for helping themselves and others navigate disagreement more effectively. Through applied learning and reflection, the workshop introduces tools that can support constructive conversations, collaborative problem-solving, and more effective responses to conflict.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Conflict Coaching: Conflict Resolution and Culture
This workshop delves into the symbiotic relationship between conflict resolution and culture. Participants will examine conflict situations and resolution initiatives from cross-cultural perspectives. Race, Indigeneity, ethnicity, language, age and identity all inform culture and the resolution of conflicts. This workshop will ensure participants become cognizant of their own culturally-constructed values and that they appreciate the diversity of goals and approaches to conflict resolution.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Conflict Coaching: Navigating Conflict at Work
Workplace conflict is rarely just about the issue on the table. This workshop explores the relational dynamics that shape conflict at work, including how people experience appreciation, recognition, feedback, disagreement, and a sense that they matter. Participants will develop practical strategies for navigating difficult workplace interactions, giving and receiving feedback, negotiating differences, and strengthening relationships even when agreement is not possible. The focus is on practical tools that can help prevent unnecessary conflict, address tensions constructively, and contribute to healthier and more effective working relationships.
Registration will be available next academic year.
Mediation Training
Designed and led by a legally trained professional mediator, this immersive mediation training combines essential principles with hands-on practice, giving participants the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively lead mediation processes.
Students who complete all 40 hours of this workshop will be prepared to write the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med.) exam with ADRIM.
Registration will be available next academic year.