Toronto Lawyers Association’s new president hits ground running

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Building on the successes of the past year, Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) president Erin O’Donovan says she is ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead.

“The TLA is a volunteer board and we have plenty of engagement by the executive and board members. When new issues arise that impact lawyers in Toronto, we mobilize our resources,” says O’Donovan, who has taken over from outgoing president Michael White. “The work the association does ensures we are at the table and commenting on changes in policy and legislation that affect how we practise law. 

“It matters to our members that the TLA is involved, that our people care and we are willing to advocate on behalf of the profession,” she tells LegalMattersCanada.ca. 

White looked back on a busy term, noting the importance of the association to its members. 

‘When we all come together as one, it is incredibly powerful’

“The TLA is one of a kind. When you think about the TLA’s three pillars, which are knowledge, advocacy and community, you understand how unique we are,” he says.  “When we all come together as one, it is incredibly powerful. 

“The TLA performs well because we are very accessible. New members feel welcome and are encouraged to share their expertise,” White adds. “We have a breadth of programs that serves as a natural pathway for people to get involved with the TLA.”

After serving as vice-president, O’Donovan is off to a fast start in her new position, he says.

“The great thing from my perspective is that Erin is ahead of the curve because of her commitment to a transition that consisted of her being heavily involved in all aspects of the presidency for the past few months. She is hitting the ground running and the organization will benefit from that early investment,” says White. “The TLA is extremely fortunate to have Erin as our new president. Not only due to her high level of commitment but also because of her natural ability to lead. A big part of that is her ability to communicate effectively and to listen to what others are saying.”

During his term, White led the TLA in the fight to restore funding to law libraries. The association joined the Advocates’ Society, the Federation of Ontario Law Associations and the Family Lawyers Association to successfully oppose the proposal for a Family Legal Services Provider licence for paralegals. 

Association hopes to get members engaged in bencher elections

The TLA launched plans to get members more engaged in next year’s bencher elections and also raised concerns about a planned subway station on the Osgoode Hall grounds.

“There was nothing that required our attention that didn’t get addressed in some manner,” says White. “We were fortunate because of the responsive nature of the benchers who listened to what the TLA and other like-minded organizations were saying about law library funding and the Family Legal Services Provider licence.

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“We had concerns about what impact the family law plan would have on access to justice. It wasn’t going to be the answer that some people had hoped it would be. Fortunately, the benchers were receptive to those submissions, and it didn’t move forward,” he adds. “Of course, the subway station issue continues to unfold. We are hearing a great deal of feedback from our members who want us to press their concerns about the impact of an underground station on the lawn of Osgoode Hall and what it would say about how we perceive justice in Ontario.”

O’Donovan says the work done by the TLA on the Family Legal Services Provider proposal is a shining example of the determination and effectiveness of the association’s committees.

Board members have expertise in different areas

“The head of our family and estates committee, Sarah Boulby, was instrumental on that issue. She led the charge and the entire committee and board was there to provide support, make calls and share information,” she says. “This is an example of the strength of the work done by our committees.  We have board members who have expertise in different areas and everyone contributes.”

Although the proposal didn’t get the support it needed to proceed, O’Donovan says she expects the issue will resurface.

“I am sure we have not heard the last of it,” she says. It may not be this year, but I believe we are going to have to keep addressing it.”

O’Donovan has been involved as a TLA board member since 2014.

“I am a solicitor, so my background is different than many of the other board members. Originally, a big part of what I brought to the table was knowledge of corporate governance, and proper organizational structure,” she says. “Now, I would say that what I bring to this job first of all is commitment. It has been a privilege to get to know and understand the issues that are central to our members.”

O’Donovan, who praised the work done by White during his term, says every year the TLA sets out priorities of what it wants to accomplish “and then issues come up that we didn’t see coming.” 

Association is agile and able to overcome challenges

However, she says the association is agile and able to meet these challenges head on. Educating members on next year’s bencher elections will be a priority, O’Donovan says.

“We cannot sit on the sidelines, we need to pay attention to who represents us at the law society because it has a significant effect on all of us in the profession,” she says.

One of the things that won’t change is the TLA’s commitment to its members and its support of those new to the profession, O’Donovan says.

“As Mike said, we are really quite unique, we have room for everyone,” she says. “In a city such as Toronto, it is easy to get lost. Having a local association that’s focused on its members is important. We provide a sense of community and unparalleled educational CPD accredited sessions. 

“We try to appeal not only to lawyers in large firms but also to the ‘soles and smalls’ that don’t have the infrastructure, such as their own libraries, that you would find in a larger practice. We can step in and provide that support to our members.”