A Reflection on a Young Lawyer’s Experience on the OBA Young Lawyers Division-East’s Executive

  • 30 mai 2022
  • Susana May Yon Lee, Cassidy Levy Kent (Canada) LLP

As I conclude my term as Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division-East (“OBA YLD-East”), I want to reflect on how my experience on the OBA YLD-East Executive has helped me develop as a young lawyer. While the paths of all lawyers are unique, I wanted to share some of the lessons that I have learned in case it’s helpful for others thinking of joining the OBA executive or serving in similar roles.

In the fall of 2016, I joined the OBA YLD-East Executive as a member-at-large. I was a newly called lawyer practicing in international trade law at a private boutique firm in Ottawa. Over the course of the last six years, I have also taken on various leadership positions on the OBA YLD-East Executive, including the positions of Newsletter Editor, Vice-Chair, Chair, and now Past-Chair. During this time, I have continued to build my knowledge in international trade law, moving from a junior associate to a senior associate role at my firm. During this time, I’ve also started a family.

Here are five ways in which taking on a leadership position within the OBA YLD-East Executive has helped me along the way: