What Does it Mean to be a Public Sector Lawyer?
On November 15, 2021, the Public Sector Lawyers Section held a program entitled “Welcome to the Practice of Public Law: Exploring Careers in the Broader Public Sector.” The evening was divided into two sections. In the first, keynote speaker Ena Chadha discussed the unique experiences and opportunities that come with working for the government or for government agencies. In the second part, participants were divided and cycled through three breakout rooms where we were encouraged to engage in discussions about the practical and ethical issues public lawyers must consider.
In her keynote address, Ena Chadha spoke candidly about her own experiences working in the government, from a new graduate to her current role as Chair of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. Her talk focused on how the government offers hands-on opportunities for young lawyers to engage in legal and non-legal advocacy while tackling complex legal analysis. She advised those starting out in their legal careers to be open to different lawyering styles and to find mentors from different backgrounds. She closed by noting that public sector lawyers contribute to the public welfare and wrestle with issues that directly impact communities, often in service of the most vulnerable people in our society.
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