Articles

About Articles The following articles are published by the Women Lawyers Forum of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles.

Editor: Ashley Seely

Today
Today
So You Want to Go Into Politics!

So You Want to Go Into Politics!

  • April 23, 2015
  • Maryellen Symons

Women are 52% of the Canadian population, but we’re not yet 52% of the people in political office at any level. Four women lawyers with political experience — three who have held or run for office, and one current political staffer — shared their experience, insight and encouragement in a panel discussion on Women in Politics, the first in the Women Lawyers Forum’s three-part series, “Pathways to Power”.

Women Lawyers Forum

METRAC’s ReAct Program Shines at the Law Society’s International Women’s Day Event

  • April 23, 2015
  • Shequita Thompson, w/ introduction by Amelia Martin

On March 5, 2015, the OBA Women Lawyer’s Forum joined forces with the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, the Women’s Law Association of Ontario and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) to help to co-ordinate the Law Society of Upper Canada’s International Women’s Day event. The panel discussion was entitled “Sexual violence against women: the more things change, the more they stay the same?”

Women Lawyers Forum
The OBA Women Lawyers Forum Talks Pay

The OBA Women Lawyers Forum Talks Pay

  • April 09, 2015
  • Richa Sandill

For better or for worse, terms such as the “gender pay gap” and the “glass ceiling” are known across the board as problems that continue to persist in the way of women’s advancement. Everyone knows that women and men continue to be paid unequally. Global level conversations have been held to try and solve these issues. Yet, surprisingly little has been done to address a topic that can potentially provide answers and encouragement at a very basic level: how do you ask for the pay you deserve?

Women Lawyers Forum

“Will you be my Mentor?” – How to Cultivate the Mentor/Mentee Relationship

  • March 27, 2015
  • Bianca Thomas

A question that plagues many young lawyers trying to navigate their way in a stressful and cutthroat profession is how to go about finding a mentor and developing that mentor/mentee relationship. Your first few years as a lawyer are arguably the most challenging, and it is the period during which lawyers need the most guidance and support.

Women Lawyers Forum

Judicial Diversity: Why It Matters

  • February 17, 2015
  • Anna Wong

This past December’s round of judicial appointments by Justice Minister Peter MacKay puts the issue of judicial diversity squarely back in the spotlight.

Women Lawyers Forum

The Results Are In… More Women Are Sitting on Canadian Boards in 2014

  • February 10, 2015
  • Justine Johnston

Catalyst's 2014 Global Census report revealed that Canadian women held 20.8% of the S&P/ TSX 60 companies' board of director positions in 2014. Increased representation of women in the boardroom has been linked to improved corporate governance. Through gender quotas, strategic recruitment, and informal mentoring, women can continue to climb the corporate ladder all the way to the boardroom.

Women Lawyers Forum

What’s the Buzz?

  • December 10, 2014
  • Sheryl Smolkin

This is an eclectic quarterly compilation of links to articles curated by Sheryl Smolkin that may be of interest to members of the OBA Women Lawyers Forum. If you come across interesting content for this feature, please email the link to me at sheryl@sherylsmolkin.com.

Women Lawyers Forum

Events with WLF: Transforming Law Firm Culture

  • October 15, 2014
  • Sara Hopper

On September 18, 2014, the OBA Women Lawyers Forum section presented “Transforming Law Firm Culture: Creating Conditions for Career Success.”

Women Lawyers Forum