KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Mark Bulgutch

Former Senior Executive Producer, CBC News

Intersection of Journalism and the Law

The legal system and freedom of the media are often seen as two pillars of a healthy democracy. It’s impossible to conceive of a truly free and democratic society without both. So why are these two pillars so often in conflict? And what can be done so that they get along for the betterment of everyone in Canada?  In this session, Mark Bulgutch will draw on his almost 40 year career with CBC news and share his experience, both good and bad, in dealing with lawyers and the legal system.  Mark will be ready to answer your questions on how to best work with the media when your client finds themselves the focus of media attention.

Storytelling

Storytelling has been heralded as one of the best ways to actually get an audience to listen to what you have to say.  There is something captivating about hearing a story and connecting with those you are learning about.  Being able to tell the stories of our client’s is a skill every lawyer needs to have both inside and outside the courtroom.  Our panelists will share their experience telling stories and share tips on how to become better at this craft.  The session will conclude with inviting audience members to use these tricks and share their own stories.

About Mark Bulgutch

Mark Bulgutch retired from CBC News after a career that lasted almost 40 years.  Mark became the senior producer of CBC News Specials, and then the Senior Executive Producer of CBC TV News and CBC Newsworld (now CBC News Network). In his career Mark produced decades of election night coverage and has covered 10 Olympic Games.

Among the many news specials he produced are: The 1995 Quebec Referendum, the funeral of Pierre Trudeau, the Sept 11 attack on the United States, the 50th and 60th anniversaries of D Day and VE Day, the memorial of four RCMP officers killed in Alberta, the war in Iraq, and the National Remembrance Day ceremony from Ottawa from 1995 to 2011. He was the executive producer for the host broadcast feed to the world of several events including World Youth Day and the Pope’s visit to Canada in 2002, and the XVI International AIDS conference in 2006.

Mark’s work has been recognized with 29 Gemini Award nominations, 13 Gemini Awards, 4 RTNDA Awards, the Canadian Journalism Foundation Award of Excellence, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon Award, and the Gabriel Award from the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals for a documentary on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Mark is a frequent writer having written five non-fiction books.  His most recent book, How Canada Works, is on the national best-seller list.