What started as a passion project in his spare time has landed local Lawyer Talon Regent of Regent Law Office a spot on a recent list of the 'Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.'

Regent has been working on a virtual reality courtroom simulator, which allows law students, lawyers, and self-litigants to practice their work in a virtual setting.

"Usually, the only way that lawyers and law students can get practice running a trial is to actually run a trial with real-life consequences," says Regent. "This is going to give people the opportunity to hone their trial advocacy skills in a risk-free environment."

The simulation will allow users to practice their speaking skills, learning what kind of questions are objectionable under cross-examination, or figuring out how to tender evidence properly.

The courtroom is complete with a virtual judge, witnesses, and an opposing lawyer.

"They're all digital in nature, and so they are all programmed to give lifelike and accurate responses to the input you're providing. Even though these aren't real people, you'll still have the same feel as though it were a legitimate trial."

Regent says he's working on a way to record the simulation so that students can be critiqued on their work afterward, or even use the recording as an example of their skills while talking with potential clients or other lawyers.