Fourteenth Annual Business Law Symposium Energized

Photo By Chris Missiuna

Professor Paul Paton, Faculty Director and Convenor of the 14th Annual Queen’s Business Law Symposium, and student coordinators Michael McIsaac, Kim Newton and David Kramer.

Professor Paul Paton is lighting a path to better communication between North American lawyers, academics and policy makers on the subject of "energy and the law" at this year's business law symposium.

"The symposium is unique because it brings together experts who don't often talk to each other in an integrated forum," said Paton, Faculty Director and Convener of the conference taking place October 19, 2007 at the Four Points Sheraton in downtown Kingston.

Queen's Law will host U.S. and Canadian government representatives, lawyers, energy experts, scholars, and law students for the 14th version of this annual symposium. Included in the distinguished roster of panelists and speakers is world-renowned energy authority David Keith, Canada Research Chair in Energy and Environment, who will be giving a talk during lunch.

"The conference facilitates a friendly environment to discuss important issues on energy," said Paton. "We're trying to get people thinking and debating."

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about and debate several topics focusing on energy and the law including: the financing and economics of energy, power regulation, and energy and the environment. Issues ranging from Canada's oil and gas development, to different energy technologies, to the Kyoto Accord will be discussed.

Each session is centered on a research paper. The author of the paper will make a presentation followed by an open debate around issues raised. "I'm really excited about all of them," said Paton.

Paton chose the conference's focus on energy and the law this year because it represents a growing area of importance for the country and the world.

"Energy matters to Canada and Canadians," said Paton. "Natural resource development is a key to Canada's economic success. It also presents key challenges for those responsible for balancing environmental and human caps with the desire for further growth in the sector."

The goal for the conference is to improve the knowledge base of delegates and to stimulate debate about policy and the law going forward. "I'm hoping people will come away better informed about the energy sector and the way legislators are crafting business law," said Paton.

He added, "With the Alberta government announcing this month that it may overhaul the way energy royalties are taxed, the conference could not be more timely."

For more information about the 14th Annual Business Law Symposium and to register, please see http://law.queensu.ca/events/eventsArchive/queensBusinessLawSymposium.html .

This event is sponsored by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Bennett Jones LLP. The luncheon is sponsored by Patton Boggs LLP.