MEA Forensic experts Dr. Benjamin Elkin, Pamela D’Addario, and Craig Wilkinson will participate in the Ontario Bar Association’s 2026 Anatomy of a Trial: Taking the Plunge into a Jury Trial, taking place May 28-29 at the OBA Conference Centre in Toronto. They will contribute through expert witness testimony, appearing as the plaintiff’s experts in biomechanics and human factors engineering and as the defendant’s engineering expert.
This year’s mock trial centers on a catastrophic spinal cord injury sustained by Tyson Campbell at Oakwood Resort following a dive into a shallow pool. The case raises questions surrounding alcohol service, occupiers’ liability obligations, safety standards, and assumed risk. With damages already agreed upon, the trial focuses entirely on liability, where competing narratives, technical evidence, and witness testimony collide in a high-stakes courtroom battle.
The two-day program brings together an impressive roster of Superior Court judges, experienced trial lawyers, expert witnesses, and jurors for live courtroom demonstrations and practical advocacy training. The mock trial will feature plaintiff testimony portrayed by Gus D’Amico of Oatley Vigmond LLP and evidence from the defendant occupier portrayed by Ivan Luxenberg of Malach Fidler Sugar + Luxenberg LLP, alongside testimony from lay witnesses, Smart Serve evidence, and forensic toxicology experts for both plaintiff and defence. These demonstrations will highlight the varied roles engineering, scientific, and witness evidence play throughout the litigation process. The program also includes opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examinations, evidentiary motions, jury deliberation issues, and judicial commentary from members of the Ontario bench, concluding with a discussion on artificial intelligence and trial advocacy.
The program is chaired by Brian Bangay of Desjardins Insurance, Lindsay Charles of McLeish Orlando LLP, Katherine Di Tomaso of Stieber Berlach LLP, and Troy Lehman of Oatley Vigmond LLP.Learn more about the program and view the full agenda here: OBA Anatomy of a Trial Program Agenda
Visit the MEA Forensic team during the conference to connect with our experts and enter our draw for a chance to win a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
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