TLA has plans to get members engaged and excited

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • With COVID-19 restrictions easing, the Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is forging ahead with social events and in-person learning sessions designed to pique members’ interests, says executive director/library director Joan Rataic-Lang.

“The pandemic veil has been lifted to some extent,” says Rataic-Lang. “We are finding the courthouses are busier, juries are being picked. We have reopened the library. Of course, we were always offering service, but now people can walk in.

“People are ready to come out. It feels like there is some buzz,” she tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. “It’s an exciting time. We are getting ready for our annual awards gala and I’ve already booked a social event for August.”

The pandemic forced the TLA to pivot to meet the needs of its members, moving to video conferencing to provide educational programs. The association’s annual awards gala was cancelled in 2021 but is back on track and will be held May 10 at the Steam Whistle Brewing Locomotive Hall. For details and ticket information, click here.

Ability to network was sorely missed

Rataic-Lang says the ability to network was sorely missing during COVID lockdowns.

“Humans are social beings and we cannot live in isolation. We can see how people’s mental health suffered through two years of the pandemic,” she says. “The fact that people are buying tickets for upcoming events and getting excited about attending in person proves how important the social aspect of what we do really is.

“These past two years really illustrated just how resilient people are. We are bouncing back. We need to see people and network and just be around our friends and colleagues again. And the TLA will be ready.”

Rataic-Lang promises there will be “no holds barred” for their gala.

“It is going to be a lovely event,” she says. “We are going to have more than 300 guests and some nice live jazz music in the background, wonderful food and even a signature cocktail. For people who are receiving the awards, it is always better to do it in person and celebrate with friends and colleagues.”

One of the highlights will be a speech by the Honourable Louise Arbour, who will receive the TLA’s Award of Distinction.

‘She has a reputation for being an excellent speaker’

“She has a reputation for being an excellent speaker,” Rataic-Lang says. “If you look at her career, she cannot help having all sorts of fascinating things to share.”

Realizing that venues were going to sell out quickly after capacity limits were lifted, she says she moved quickly to book The Porch in Toronto for a social gathering on Aug. 10.  

“We have had events there prior to COVID,” says Rataic-Lang. “It’s a great venue. People really enjoy being able to be outside on the top of a building with a beautiful view of the city and food and drinks. We are planning right through to this summer and I believe people will be encouraged to hear that.”

She says the association will also be offering in-person educational programs for the first time in two years. The events will also be live streamed for those who prefer to view from their computer.

Rataic-Lang says one important program members should not miss is Behind the Scenes with Benchers. The free 90-minute session on April 7 will allow members to get an insider take on what Law Society of Ontario (LSO) benchers do and why it is important to vote in next year’s election.

Benchers taking part in the event include Teresa Donnelly, LSO treasurer; Joseph Groia, principal at Groia & Company; Lubomir Poliacik, partner at Crum-Ewing, Poliacik; and Julia Shin Doi, general counsel and secretary of the Board of Governors and University Privacy Officer at Ryerson University. The moderator is lawyer Anna Wong, MPhil Candidate at the University of Oxford.

Forum will provide insight into the role of a bencher

“Benchers make decisions for everyone who practises law in Ontario,” says Rataic-Lang. “But bencher elections usually have a very low turnout. We are hoping to educate people, giving them a better understanding of what benchers do. Some people may even be motivated to run themselves.”

The TLA is also presenting Author Talk with Marie Henein, arguably the most sought-after lawyer in Canada. Henein will be interviewed about her nationally best-selling memoir, Nothing But the Truth. It weaves her personal story in with her strongly held views on society’s most pressing issues, legal and otherwise. The event will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Apr 26. For more, click here.

On May 25, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m., the association will host Chief Justice George Strathy in conversation with the Honourable Ian Binnie, C.C., Q.C. The event marks the launch of the TLA Award Recipients in Conversation series, moderated by Mark Gannage. There is a limited number of seats available. For more, click here.

“Both of these presentations are going to be a little bit different than your typical education program. They’re interesting people in the profession of law,” says Rataic-Lang.

With pandemic restrictions easing, she says people are showing up at the law library at 361 University Ave. Now is a good time for lawyers new to the profession to learn how the TLA can benefit them, says Rataic-Lang

“For two years, new lawyers haven’t really experienced the TLA to its real potential,” she says. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and doing what we can to help our members succeed.”

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