The Women Lawyers Forum (WLF) kicked off the 2017-2018 OBA year with an exciting roster of fall programming that sparked debate, enlightened curious minds and brought lawyers together. True to the spirit of the WLF, our programs have focused on building relationships among women lawyers and advancing women in the legal profession by addressing issues affecting women in law and developing strategies for improved practice management. Here, we’ll take stock of our events from September to December.
September
We started the year right with our Mix and Mingle event in Toronto. This fall social gave members and new friends a relaxed opportunity to meet, chat and enjoy a drink on the courtyard patio oasis of the Metropolitan restaurant. The chairs for this event were WLF Technology Liaison, Erin Cowling, and WLF Secretary, Richa Sandill, who did a terrific job of encouraging the mingle. The cocktail hour event was well attended, and there were suggestions for future events like it so keep your eyes on your inbox for more networking socials to come.
October
Pathways to Power: Female Outlaws came next. As part of an ongoing WLF series, the Pathways to Power programs introduce the stories of successful women lawyers who attain power and leadership roles. The paths they take are rarely in a straight line and this latest installment was no different. Female Outlaws focused on women who claimed their success outside the traditional legal channels. The speakers, Jean Blacklock (Prairie Girl Cupcakes), Adrienne Ng (entrepreneur, programmer, lawyer) and Vandana Juneja (senior regional director of the not-for-profit, Catalyst), built their successes in unexpected and creative ways, fuelled by their own individual passions. Each began her career in law practice and from there, the stories diverge. Vice-chair of the WLF Executive, Bianca Thomas, and lawyer-entrepreneur, Kate Swanson, chaired this well-attended and engaging program.
November
The WLF November program, Bridging Barriers and Biases: Feminism for Men, was designed to tackle difficult issues and encourage engagement from more of our male counterparts. Program chair, Erin Cowling, and moderators, Rachel Migicovsky (WLF CPD Liaison) and Bianca Thomas, put together a thought-provoking program and questioned our experienced panelists, May Cheng (Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP), Rajesh Dhir (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation), Emma Rhodes (Paradigm Law Group LLP) and Paul Saguil (TD Bank Financial Group), on everything from diversity in the workplace, retention of women in private practice, harassment, workplace policies, unconscious bias, parental leave, equity, to where we are 10 years following the launch of the Justicia Project.
Some key takeaways from the discussion include the importance of being aware of the language we use and how it may impact others; how far we have come and how far we still need to go; modelling behavioural changes on our children early; the importance of mentors and champions; paying attention to your surroundings and having the courage to stand up for your fellow person; and recognizing that all women are different people with different needs.
December
We closed out December with Empowerment Through Financial Planning: What Women Lawyers Need to Know. It’s never too early to get your finances in order and you certainly don’t want to find yourself doing it too late. Our expert panel, comprised of Jackie Porter (CFP), Z. Izhak Goldhaber (CBIA) and Semra Albarak (CFP), came ready to share tips and practices to strategically manage your practice finances. This program delved into financial literacy for legal professionals and suggested ways to work smarter, not harder, so attendees could develop strategies to keep their businesses growing year by year. Chaired by WLF Members-at-large, Victoria Boucovalas and Krishana Persaud, this evening program was all about the how-to’s and why’s of financial management.
It’s safe to say we’ve had amazing programs for the fall season. We wish you happy holidays and hope to see you next year at our upcoming events, beginning with our winter programs, Feminism Revisted: Is the Revolution Over? at the OBA's Institute in Toronto and Finding Your Fit in Ottawa.
About the author
Rachel Sachs, Sachs Law Professional Corporation & Deloitte Canada
WLF Newsletter Co-Editor, Real Estate Law Section Member-at-large, Environmental Law Section Member-at-Large