Articles 2023

Aujourdʼhui
Aujourdʼhui

An Interview with the Director of the Smallest Steps

  • 29 novembre 2024
  • Ashley Seely

Ahead of the December 5, 2024, OBA screening of the smallest steps, director Nicole Bedford discusses her compelling documentary on gender-based violence and activism. In this interview, she shares how personal stories from veteran activists inspired the film, explores the power of small actions to drive change, and reflects on the importance of legal professionals in addressing violence.

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How Becoming a Mom Made me a Better Lawyer

  • 27 novembre 2024
  • Debbie Boswell

Debbie Boswell shares how becoming a mom impacted her approach to practicing law. From redefining career goals and engaging in pro bono work to mastering skills like multitasking, dedication, and creative persuasion, Debbie reflects on the unexpected ways parenting enriched her legal career. Her insights challenge stereotypes about working moms and offer inspiration for new parents to recognize their value and advocate for promotions, raises, or new opportunities at work.

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audience seated in rows in a meeting room listening to presenter at podium against backdrop of screens with " 50 50" and "NAWL's 50th Anniversary Reception" written on them

Celebrating NAWL's Five Decades of Feminist Law Reform in Canada

  • 02 avril 2024
  • Angela Ogang, Vice-Chair, OBA Women Lawyers Forum

Last month, the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) celebrated five decades of feminist law reform advocacy in Canada at a reception and awards ceremony on Parliament Hill. Among the esteemed guests were Algonquin Elder Annie Smith-St-Georges, who led the opening prayers, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Justice Freda M. Steel of the Court of Appeal of Manitoba, who delivered the keynote address.

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photo of Mohsen Seddigh and Dr. Shirin Ebadi speaking over Zoom

Hard Conversations: Dr. Shirin Ebadi's Perspectives on Theocratic Dictatorship and Women's Rights in Iran

  • 15 juin 2023
  • Angela Ogang

In March 2023, the OBA's Hard Conversations Series featured Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Iranian Judge turned human rights activist Dr. Shirin Ebadi. Dr. Ebadi provided us with valuable insights into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” revolution that emerged as a response to institutional discrimination faced by Iranian women in their day-to-day lives.

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photo of award winner, Deepa Mattoo

Deepa Mattoo: Centering the Voices and Lived Experiences of Communities that are Underserved and Discriminated Against

  • 30 mai 2023
  • Myra Sivaloganathan

From a young age, Deepa Mattoo, this year's recipient of the OBA Award of Excellence in the Promotion of Women's Equality, knew that she wanted to pursue law. She marvelled at the power of law to be a force of change, particularly the law’s ability to challenge the systemic issues of misogyny, oppression, and violence that were pervasive in communities that surrounded her. 

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Cover image of book: Just Pursuit

Legal Reads: A book review of "Just Pursuit"

  • 27 mars 2023
  • Matilda Lici

“The pursuit of justice creates injustice.” Thus opens the memoir of Laura Coates, a Black former federal prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice during the Bush and Obama years. Through a series of vignettes, she peels back the curtain to expose the inner workings of the criminal justice system, and lays bare the ways in which a system ostensibly set up to secure justice often fails those who become wrapped up in it.

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photo of Christine Roth with contact info for Roth Law Offices

Christine Roth: A force to be reckoned with

  • 25 février 2023
  • Angela Ogang, AngeLAW

Last year, just a few days before Christmas, I sat down with my fellow OBA WLF Exec and OBA Council member Christine Roth to talk about her career path, personal motivators, and passion for Indigenous rights and access to justice. I was surprised to learn that she grew up in Iran and was one of the first people to be blacklisted during the Islamic coup d’état. As our discussion drew to a close, I was left feeling that I had barely scratched the surface of her complex and rich experiences.

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Truth and Reconciliation in the Legal Profession: A Primer on How to Be a Better Ally Regardless of Your Practice Area

  • 21 octobre 2022
  • Karlie Nordstrom and Leslie Anne St. Amour

On September 30, 2022, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the authors spoke at a webinar titled "Reconciliation in the Legal Profession". During the event, they shared insights on a range of questions surrounding truth and reconciliation in the legal profession, to equip legal professionals in all practice areas with the knowledge necessary to play a more active role in truth and reconciliation. This article summarizes some of the key takeaways.

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How our Boardrooms Became Classrooms: Virtual School, Real Headache

  • 23 février 2022
  • Amelia Yiu, Elm Law Professional Corporation

For the women of my firm the combined pressures of childcare, virtual school and work became draining both mentally and physically. As an employer that has always tried to put work-life balance at the forefront of our philosophy, I knew that I needed to make some changes to the way that we did things, or everyone at the firm would suffer.

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Don’t Let Your Hair Down!

  • 02 février 2022
  • Hamna Anwar

The author, criminal defence lawyer Hamna Anwar, makes a request to senior counsel: When you are giving advice to junior lawyers who look up to you, please be mindful of the power of your words. Please do not provide advice that teaches young, racialized women to minimize themselves or play it small.

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