TLA’s Women in Law course returns with a focus on intention

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Toronto Lawyers Association’s (TLA) sixth annual Women in Law program returns next month with the aim to show “how successful leaders in law live, work, thrive and succeed with intention.”

“It is essential for women to learn about the wide range of different opportunities that now exist in the legal profession,” says Jocelyn Tatebe, moderator for Women in Law: Leading with Intention, presented on Oct. 11. “I doubt most people know right away what they want to do. Many women graduate from law school and they are just so grateful to find an articling position. Then as they begin work as junior associates, they are just trying to figure out where they fit in. 

‘An exceptional and diverse panel’

“But as young women lawyers gain experience, they start developing the ability to direct their own career with intention. That is why this program is so beneficial. We have an exceptional and diverse panel who each have a unique career path to share,” she tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. “Participants will be able to hear their stories and hopefully feel reassured that they are not alone if they are unsure of what they really want in their career at the present time. They will see that like those who have come before them, they will eventually find their own path.”

Jennifer L. Hunter, a partner with Lerners LLP, and Surina Sud, a partner with Kostyniuk & Greenside are co-chairs of this program. The panelists include Giselle Basanta, General Counsel at George Brown College; Sarah Ennor, founder of Growth Counsel; Cynthia Kuehl, partner and chair at Lerners; and Angela Ogang, founder of AngeLaw. The panel will discuss doing the following with intention:

• Finding your career and life path
• Setting your priorities
• Creating a seat at the table
• Taking care of yourself
• Negotiating and navigating compensation

The presentation will be followed by a mix and mingle where participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and network with the panellists and their colleagues.

Participants can seek out guidance and mentorship

“I am honoured and excited to moderate this panel,” says Tatebe, president of the Women’s Law Association of Ontario. “It will be an informative program. I believe the ability to speak to the panellists following the session is incredibly valuable because it will allow participants to seek out guidance and mentorship from someone outside their current place of employment.

“There are some questions that participants may be more willing to ask in this environment that they would not feel comfortable asking a partner at their own firm,” she adds. “Some participants may simply want to hear a different perspective from a woman lawyer who has taken a career path that is different from their own.”

Tatebe says there are many career variables to consider after being called to the bar and women can face additional challenges that men do not.

It is only after a few years of practice that many lawyers start to really contemplate their future, set goals and determine their priorities, she says.

“They are better able to identify what they want to do in the law and to start making plans on how to get where they ultimately want to go,” Tatebe says. “They get to a stage in their career where they better understand what they don’t like and what they are missing. They may have questions about how they want to practise law and where they would rather be. Is it private practice? The government? Or perhaps in-house?

Important to see different options

“Learning from others who have come through that same type of introspection can be invaluable,” she adds. “It is important for women lawyers to see and understand the different options that are available to them.”

Although women have made great strides in the law, it can still be a male-dominated profession, especially when it comes to holding positions of power, says Tatebe.

“In some workplaces, there are no female colleagues to look up to,” she says. “This is because there are still fewer women partners compared to men. 

“That is why it is essential to take advantage of any access to women mentors and leaders who can provide the additional guidance that women lawyers may be seeking.”

The Women in Law program runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the TLA Lawyers Lounge at the 361 University Ave. courthouse.

The cost to TLA members is $59 plus HST. Non-members pay $109 while licensing candidates and registration for new calls is $30. Tickets are complimentary for undergraduate law school students.
The program contains 60 minutes of professionalism content and 15 minutes of EDI professionalism content.