CDS Canada Connect: Education and Networking for Divorce Specialists

Join us for CDS Canada Connect: Education and Networking for Divorce Specialists!

This online event is designed to bring together Legal, Financial, Mental Health, and Real Estate professionals who support divorcing clients to learn from experts, share experiences, and expand their network.

Whether you are a lawyer, financial advisor, mediator, or therapist, this event offers valuable insights and connections that can enhance your practice.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with other divorce specialists in Canada, while also earning your Continuing Legal Education credits. Register now to secure your spot!

This event is exculsively for legal, financial, mental health and real estate professionals.

From Screening to Courtroom: Addressing Domestic Violence in Divorce Cases

This presentation will explore the critical role divorce professionals play in recognizing and responding to domestic violence within family law matters. We will cover best practices for screening clients for signs of abuse, strategies to ensure safety and confidentiality, and the unique challenges of litigating cases where intimate partner violence is present.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn best practices and practical tools for screening clients for domestic violence in divorce matters.
• Understand how abuse dynamics impact family law litigation, including strategy, evidence, and client management.
• Identify common challenges when working with cases involving intimate partner violence and approaches to address them.
• Gain strategies for balancing client safety, advocacy, and professional responsibilities throughout the process.
• Build confidence in recognizing, supporting, and effectively representing survivors in divorce proceedings.

This is designed for all professionals working with separating families and offers practical insight into how to respond thoughtfully and ethically to these difficult situations.

The presentation will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a networking session from 1:00 p.m to 1:30 pm, where attendees can introduce themselves, fostering valuable professional relationships.

CDS designees can earn 1 hour of CDS CE credit by attending CDS Canada Connect meetings.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

LEANNE TOWNSEND

Leanne Townsend is a Senior Divorce Lawyer with Benmor Family Law Group. Leanne received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto followed by her Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario. Leanne has vast legal experience from her many prominent positions including her 16 years as an Assistant Crown Attorney, as the Domestic Violence Co-Lead, as a Family law partner at a prestigious Bay Street law firm, and as the founder of Townsend Family Law before joining Benmor Family Law Group.

Leanne is a highly sought after divorce lawyer, coach, speaker, educator and strategic advisor on marriage, divorce, family violence and high net worth clients. She is passionate about empowering her clients and helping them rebuild their lives with confidence and strength.

Leanne brings to her clients over 25 years of courtroom experience and stellar skills as an accomplished communicator, negotiator and, when required, a litigator. Although Leanne believes that the best solution is reached outside of the courtroom, she also knows how to achieve the best outcome for her clients in court.

Leanne is regularly interviewed in the media and has been featured on CBC, CP24, CTV News, and many radio stations. Leanne is regularly quoted in the Lawyer’s Daily and Divorce Magazine.

As the host of the very popular Divorcing Well Podcast and Divorce Explained Podcast, Leanne has collected a large group of followers due to her exceptional divorce expertise.

Leanne was recently recruited to join the faculty at Fanshawe College as a part-time professor for their Paralegal Program.

Leanne is passionate about fitness, travel and lifelong education. Her biggest pride and joy are her two children.