February 22, 2010

Guide to Success:  A Dialogue with Women in Law

Despite being a snowy, slippery day, the Guide to Success program was just that - a success.  Attendees appreciated the candid responses from our panel members Kim Bernhardt, Kathy Laird, Anne Ristic, and Beth Symes.  Thank you to all who attended and a special thanks to partners at the Law Society of Upper Canada

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90^th Anniversary Gala

November 26, 2009 - Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Toronto

Our 90th Gala Celebration was a tremendous success thanks to our wonderful members, sponsors and guests.  We would especially like to thank our special guest speaker, The Right Honourable Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada  for her inspirational words and reflections.   Chief Justice McLachlin's address is available here if you were unable to attend the Gala.  Professor Mary Jane Mossman of Osgoode Hall Law School provided gala-goers with a provocative overview of the role women lawyers have played over the past 90 years and if you would like to read more her book will be available shortly.  Our thanks to sponsors The Heller Group, Deloitte, Miller, Bernstein, Greenwood LLP - Chartered Accountants, Silver and Goren LLP - Chartered Accountants, The Law Offices of Art Birnbaum, and Dye and Durham.  We would also like to thank our special guests, Chief Justice Warren Winkler, Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo, Attorney General Chris Bentley, Law Society Treasurer Derry Miller, and Justice Mary J. Hatton.  The 90th Anniversary Committee members, Kathryn Hendrikx, Mary Duncan, Ronda Bessner, Connie Crosby, Patty deLaat, and the Board of Directors did a tremendous job putting the event together and we express our thanks for their hard work.  A special thanks to Sasa of CalicoCreations for his assistance putting together the commemorative program and the slide show for the evening, and to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for hosting our event.  We hope to see you out to Celebrate 100 Years in  2019!

Past Presidents of WLAO

Chief Justice Warren Winkler, The Right Honourable Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, VP Kathryn Hendrikx, President Sharon Davis, Justice Mary J. Hatton

WLAO Member Haiyun Wang brought along her family which includes triplets  who have expressed interest in becoming lawyers!

Ottawa Chapter Dinner 

 

The Ottawa Chapter held a wonderful event at the Crowne Plaza on October 6, 2009.  The guest speaker was Sylvia Larrass, who gave a presentation on the "Professional Woman's Voice."  The Chapter also gave a special award to Justice Alice Desjardins, of the Federal Court of Appeal, to recognize her groundbreaking work.  Justice Desjardins was the first female law professor in Canada and the first female member of the Federal Court of Appeal.

 

The event was well attended and our members came away inspired by Justice Desjardins' presentation and anxious to put into practice the tips from Ms. Larras on how to improve the quality and power of their own professional voice presentations.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Cocktails and Conversation with Attorney General Chris Bentley

Thanks to Attorney General Chris Bentley for sharing in a cocktail with WLAO members and guests on September 14th.  We had an excellent turn-out and those present appreciated Mr. Bentley's words of praise for WLAO and the leadership role the organization has taken with matters of the Ministry of the Attorney General, especially in the areas of family law and legal aid reform.

August 18th, 2009 - 8th Annual Deb Snead Memorial Golf Social

WLAO members and partners CAWEE and PWSA expected to have to run for cover at some point but... the weather held for the entire day and aside from some humidity, a lovely day was had by all!  We would like to take this opportunity to thank our fabulous sponsors, Lisa Stam of Baker and McKenzie LLP, Carrie Heller of The Heller Group - Legal and Executive Search Inc., Nancy Edmison and Erin Magee of Investors Group, Carson and Weeks, Vibert Rosemin from RBC Insurance, Pat Misasi of Scalar Decisions Inc, Salima Alibhai of ZSA Legal Recruitment, and our gift bag sponsor Noreen Pigden of Images That Suit.  We would also like to thank our many many generous prize donors who made this event possible - see full list of donors.  The event this year was completely sold out so be sure to book early for next year!  

We have already booked August 30th so mark your calendars.

 More pictures will be available soon. Email wlao@cogeco.ca to request team photos.

Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2009

Women’s Law Association of Ontario presented the 

2009 President’s Award to 

Barbara Hendrickson

Ms. Hendrickson was recognized for her outstanding service within the profession, her work as a mentor and her leadership role in advancing the position of women lawyers.