When voting opens for the 2019 Law Society of Ontario Bencher Election in mid-April, eligible voters will have a robust roster of 128 lawyer candidates, nearly half of whom are OBA members, from which to choose. With issues like access to justice, the articling crisis, and the competency and reputation of lawyers looming large, participating in the election is not only your opportunity to effect improvements, it is your responsibility.

Leading up to this year’s Law Society of Ontario bencher elections, the OBA reached out to three former presidents who served in their role within the last decade. We asked them to link their time as president with their current aspirations as bencher hopefuls.

When trusts and estates lawyer Rebecca Fisch ventured outside her own neighbourhood to lead a Make a Will Month session in a traditionally underserved area, she discovered a community eager for legal resources and appreciative of the opportunity to better understand the importance of careful estate-planning.

The CCLA’s executive director talks about taking the government to court over its decision to scrap amendments to the sex ed curriculum.

Heather Donkers and Dana Lue, chairs of the OBA’s Student Section and Young Lawyers Division - Central executives, respectively, offer advice from the other side about how to maximize the first-year experience while maintaining a healthy perspective.

A new OBA program aims for a ripple effect in recognition.

This year's RODA conference, held in partnership with the OBA, Accelerating a Culture Shift in the Legal Profession, took a fresh approach to advancing diversity by focusing on hot topics that have been making headlines in the media and waves in the legal profession.

A former lawyer, now fulltime humourist makes a case for laughter in the practice of law and the pursuit of a second act.

For the youth and volunteers who participated, this year’s expanded program inspired creativity, conversation and new ways of looking at the impact of the law in everyday life.

A candid conversation with Vivene Salmon reveals her advice for young lawyers and how she will make CBA history.