Feeling connected to a network of progress fuels the prodigious community service of Kingston lawyer Vivian Wilson. An advocate for the vulnerable, an army reservist, an active local volunteer, and an in-house counsel committed to sustainability, she aims to make an impact wherever she can. After receiving a certificate of recognition on behalf of East Region, winner of the OBA at the Hotline: Pro Bono Regional Challenge, she spoke with JUST. magazine about the integral role lawyers play – across all aspects of society.
Is the law where you always imagined yourself working?
Growing up, I thought I would work in healthcare or conservation science. During my BSc, I started learning about the legal side of science and research, from regulatory compliance to intellectual property. I was so interested in it that I decided to pursue law school after graduation. As a 1L, I was absolutely certain that I would specialize in intellectual property law, but as I gained exposure to different practice areas, I became more interested in the diversity of law.
When I transitioned from private practice to in-house, I was captivated by the variety of projects and practice areas that I was able to work on within a single organization. Although it's not at all what I had pictured, it's so much better than I expected.