“I had the honour of having clients who are committed to working with and respecting those who are marginalized and suffer from mental health and related issues.”
Shelley Birenbaum, Shelley R. Birenbaum Professional Corporation, is being honoured this year with the OBA Susan Hilary Davidson Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Law for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the area of health law. Gain a glimpse of what motivates her in this candid Q&A.
- Who or what inspires you most in your career?
Susan Davidson was a wonderful person and lawyer. She got me involved in the OBA and I am forever grateful to her. One aspect of my career I would still like to pursue is the area of human rights and freedoms. Professor Hogg’s teachings and logic, and lawyer Joseph Arvay continue to inspire me.
- What challenges or motivates you most about your particular area of practice?
I think the health law bar is an extraordinary bar and highly collegial. I highly value all of my clients. I had the honour of having clients who are committed to working with and respecting those who are marginalized and suffer from mental health and related issues. It was a privilege to work with my clients.
- Apart from encyclopedic knowledge of the law, is there a single trait that you think all effective lawyers share?
To be an effective lawyer, you have to listen to, and communicate with your clients, always. You also have to listen to the other side, and be reasonable. Pick your issues.
- What’s the best bit of advice you ever received?
You get more flies with honey than vinegar. However, easier to say than to do!
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