The Ontario Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Forum recently hosted its 11th Pathways to Power panel, “Women in Big Law: Leadership, Influence, and the Path Forward,” an event highlighting the diverse leadership journeys of women at the top of the legal profession. Featuring Janice Rubin, Sarit Batner, Monique Jilesen, Lorraine Mastersmith, and Kristin Taylor, the discussion offered practical insight into career progression, firm leadership, and ongoing efforts to advance equity in law.
The panelists, each leaders in their respective firms, shared candid reflections on how they came to hold senior roles, often without initially aspiring to them. Lorraine Mastersmith, managing partner at Gowling WLG, described a career that spanned private practice and in-house roles, where early experiences as the only woman in executive settings informed her commitment to fostering more inclusive leadership. Kristin Taylor, managing partner at Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP, similarly emphasized the importance of contributing to firm governance over time, noting that leadership often evolves from sustained involvement and a desire to shape organizational direction.