You know that feeling when you stumble into exactly where you're meant to be? That's what happened to me twenty or so years ago when I joined the Ontario Bar Association's Public Sector Lawyers Section. I had no idea then that clicking "submit" on that membership form would lead to some of the most rewarding relationships of my legal career.
I cut my teeth in private practice, mainly dealing with government departments and agencies. Sure, the work was intellectually stimulating – diving into regulatory frameworks and policy implications kept my mind sharp. But something was missing. I'd spend my days preparing documents for government legal teams without knowing the people on the other side of those emails and phone calls. Who were these lawyers who chose the path of public service? What drove them? What challenges did they face?
These questions kept nagging until I finally decided to find out for myself. Joining the Public Sector Lawyers Section turned out to be one of those rare decisions that reshape your entire professional trajectory. And boy, am I glad I made it.
Let me paint you a picture of what makes this group so special.