Fareen Jamal wins Heather McArthur Memorial Young Lawyers Award
TORONTO – Fareen Jamal says her volunteer experiences have contributed to making her a better lawyer and a better person.
“I, like many others I know, went to law school to make a difference,” Jamal said. “It is through offering time and knowledge, through my volunteer opportunities, that I truly feel I am able to make that difference.”
Jamal made the comments upon receiving the Heather McArthur Memorial Young Lawyers Award at the OBA Awards Gala April 24.
The award was established in 2011 in memory of Heather McArthur, a former director of continuing legal education at the OBA, who died in 2009.
The award is presented to a young lawyer for exceptional contributions in the field of continuing legal education or the development of the law for the benefit of the profession and the people of Ontario.
Jamal, a graduate of the London School of Economic and York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, was called to the bar in 2004 and has practised mostly family law. She opened her own practice, the Jamal Family Law Professional Corporation, in Oakville in 2013.
She has been a member of the OBA’s family law subsection executive since 2009 and is currently the continuing legal education chair and program development liaison. She has also been a board member of the Ismaili Conciliation and Arbitration Board.
“Volunteerism has given me experiences that I would never have in private practice, particularly this early in my career,” said Jamal.
“The people I have worked with, the experiences I have enjoyed, I owe to that strong ethic of volunteerism. I know for a fact that it has made me a better lawyer and a better person.”
“Fareen, your accomplishments over the past decade are truly impressive,” said Kristin Muszynski, a member of the OBA Awards committee, who presented the award.
Muszynski noted that Jamal was nominated by a colleague who was the opposing counsel in an acrimonious divorce proceeding.
“That speaks volumes to her professionalism and her character,” Muszynski.
“I am so honoured to be the recipient of the Heather McArthur Young Lawyers Award and to be among such distinguished award recipients,” Jamal said. “I am inspired by each of you.”
View the 2014 OBA Award Gala, photos and award presentations.