Mentoring program applications are open for the Fall intake, September 1 through September 30, 2023.
If you are interested in joining the program, please complete the appropriate form. You MUST be a member of WLAO to become a Mentee.
Application to become a Mentee (currently open)
Application to become a Mentor.
Mentors! Earn your CPD credits by mentoring with WLAO.
Click here for more information.
The WLAO President's Award recognizes a woman, firm or organization who has made a substantial contribution to the legal community and as a recognized leader, demonstrates a commitment to the promotion of women in the law: engaged, aware and connected to issues, substantive and personal, facing women in the legal profession today.
Sponsorship Opportunities are available for this program - show your support! WLAO Sponsorship Opportunities President's Awards Gala May 18 2023
Come celebrate fantastic women and their remarkable accomplishments! Registration below.
Closed Captioning will be provided.
$100.00 – $1,500.00
2023 Annual Award Dinner Registration. Please contact wlao1919@gmail.com to inquire about tickets if quantities indicate "sold out".
2023 Annual Award Gala Registration - Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Mentoring program applications are open for the Spring intake, March 1 through March 31, 2023.
If you are interested in joining the program, please complete the appropriate form. You MUST be a member of WLAO to become a Mentee.
Mentors! Earn your CPD credits by mentoring with WLAO.
Click here for more information.
Making an effective career transition between private practice, government or an in-house role requires careful planning and preparation in order to ensure that you are a strong candidate. Our speakers will be discussing their unique career transitions as mid and senior level lawyers and what prepared them for their new roles. We will be joined by three speakers:
Sarah Malik (Crown Counsel at Public Prosecution Service of Canada)
Fariya Walji (Incoming Senior Director, Law Practice Program (LPP), Toronto Metropolitan University - formerly Ryerson
University)
Emily Larose (Vice President Regulatory & General Counsel at Electrical Safety Authority).
This event is being offered as both an in-person event (very limited capacity and for members only) and as a virtual presentation.
Attendees will be given an opportunity to pose questions to our speakers.
Date: February 9, 2023
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm (5:30pm registration & networking; 6pm event content; 6:45pm Q& A for speakers; 7-7:30pm optional networking)
Location: Hybrid Event. Virtual. And for limited attending In-Person - Lerners Lawyers (225 King Street West, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2)
Virtual available for both Members and Non-members. Limited In-person availability. (In-person attendees will be offered light snacks and refreshments.)
Price: $30 for members, $40 for non-members.
Click here to register!
Join us on Thursday, December 8th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto for the WLAO Annual Holiday Dinner Party! Cocktails, dinner and the opportunity to share the holiday spirit - dressed up and in person!
This year we are delighted to have Treasurer Jacqueline Horvat and immediate Past Treasurer Teresa Donnelly as our guests of honour.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available if you would like to show your support of WLAO programs and events!
Bring a colleague, book a table for 8, or become a sponsor!
Registration is below and we welcome both members and non-members to join in the celebration! Members can bring along a guest at the member rate!
Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 5:30 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown
108 Chestnut Street
Toronto, ON
A2J Week 2022: Women leaders in access to justice
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET
Panelists will discuss how they and their firms support access to justice. They will also talk about their firm culture.
Speakers:
Treasurer Jacqueline Horvat is the Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario. She was elected in 2022 during her third term as an elected bencher. Jacqueline represents clients in commercial and shareholder disputes. She is involved in collaborative projects with the University of Windsor, including the Reclaim Pro Bono Project, representing clients who have suffered online and technology facilitated violence. Jacqueline gives back to the profession by being a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs and mentoring new lawyers.
Michelle Haigh is a licensed paralegal and founder of Precision Paralegal Services Professional Corporation, and has 25 years’ experience in the Small Claims Court. Michelle is currently a member of the Toronto Small Claims Court Frequent User Committee and the Attorney General’s Small Claims Court Advisory Committee. Michelle was formerly a member of the Humber College Program Advisory Board, and the Sheridan College Advisory Board. Michelle has also sat on the boards for Legal Aid Ontario and the Canadian Mental Health Association (Halton Branch).
Amelia Yiu is the founding principal lawyer of Elm Law Professional Corporation, a law firm located in Whitby, Ontario. Amelia is committed to supporting and promoting women lawyers by creating an inclusive atmosphere at her firm and by being an advocate for the advancement of women in the profession.Amelia was called to the bar of Ontario in 2007 and began her career at a boutique litigation law firm in downtown Toronto before opening Elm Law in 2016. Her practice is focused on estate litigation, power of attorney disputes and elder law. Amelia also practices family law where it intersects with estates and/or power of attorney issues.
Moderators:
Jennifer Gold is a Partner of Wood Gold LLP in Brampton, where she practices family law with a focus on settlement. She’s experienced in achieving consensus, negotiating agreements, de-escalating conflict, and representing clients in mediation and arbitration. In 2021, Jennifer was appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Superior Court of Justice to assist in early resolution of family law cases. She has completed a Certificate in Family Mediation and, in keeping with her professional commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, has also completed the University of Alberta’s course, Indigenous Canada.
Najma Jamaldin is a Trial & Appeal Lawyer who is passionate about Canadian law and history. Najma has accumulated over 20 years of court expertise and with a deep belief in individual rights, she applies herself with professionalism and dedication. She has experience dealing with complex matters before all levels of court and regularly appears in the appellate courts. Najma has frequently participated as a panelist for several legal education conferences held by Ontario Bar Association, Osgoode Hall Professional Development Program and the Criminal Lawyers Association. She serves on committees for the Advocates’ Society and Women’s Law Association of Ontario. Najma works with a network of lawyers in shared chambers to ensure she can serve her clients from every angle.
This session is hosted by the Women’s Law Association of Ontario.
CPD Accreditation: Approved EDI Professionalism: 1 hour(s) and 5 minute(s)
Board members of the Women’s Law Association of Ontario (WLAO), along with Treasurer Horvat and former Treasurer Donnelly, celebrate the WLAO’s 100th anniversary with a plaque at the Law Society of Ontario!
Mentoring program applications are open for the fall intake, September 1 through September 30, 2022.
If you are interested in joining the program, please complete the appropriate form. You MUST be a member of WLAO to become a Mentee.
New for Mentors! Earn your CPD credits by mentoring with WLAO.
Click here for more information.
Another fabulous Annual Awards Gala! On June 16th WLAO members and guests enjoyed the first "in-person" event since the March 2020 International Women's Day event - a long break from seeing friends and colleagues! The Sassafraz in Yorkville was a beautiful venue to step back out into life beyond Zoom.
Our congratulations to this year's President's Award recipient, Professor Mary Jane Mossman, pictured here with outgoing WLAO President, Jennifer Gold.
And we would like to acknowledge the other amazing women who received awards at the Gala:
Alexa Abiscott, General Counsel and Secretary, ApplyBoard Inc. 2022 General Counsel Award
The Honourable Sandra Chapnik Women-In-Law Award 2022 winner Chiedza Mitchel Mutize, University of Windsor Law
2022 Aird & Berlis LLP Equality Award winner Chantelle Hospedales, Osgoode Hall Law School
Laurie Pawlitza with 2022 Torkin Manes LLP Trailblazer Award winner Naomi Stuleanu, Osgoode Hall Law School
Women’s Law Association of Ontario would like to recognize all who have contributed to and helped support our 2022 Annual Awards Gala
celebration:
Our sincere appreciation to our event sponsor, the LLP (Law Practice Program).
Thank you to the law firms and individuals who generously partnered with WLAO to provide the student and lawyer awards presented, including: Aird & Berlis LLP, the Honourable Sandra Chapnik, Torkin Manes LLP, and the WLAO General Counsel Chapter.
We would like to acknowledge the law firms and organizations that purchased tables for the Gala including Aird & Berlis LLP, Blakes LLP, Hagel Estate Lawyers, Lerners LLP, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Torkin Manes LLP and Wood Gold LLP.
And to the Law Society of Ontario who provided funding for the closed captioning.
To our committed Board of Directors, members, event coordinating team and volunteers, our heartfelt thanks - without you our events and programs could not take place.
More pictures of this fabulous night are available in our gallery:
Women’s Law Association of Ontario
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