No results found
Pathways to Power: Women Lawyers Rising Above Discrimination and Harassment
Angela Ogang, Chair, Women Lawyers Forum | May 27, 2025
On April 30, 2025, the Women Lawyers Forum of the Ontario Bar Association marked the 10th anniversary of its award-winning Pathways to Power program with a powerful celebration. Women lawyers from various backgrounds came together, both in-person and online, to reflect on how far we’ve come, share strategies, and forge new bonds in the face of persistent gender-based discrimination and harassment in the legal profession.
Learn moreAn Interview with Violence against Women Advocate and Film Producer Leighann Burns
Alexandra (Allie) Cuperfain | November 29, 2024
Ahead of the December 5, 2024, OBA program, “Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence: the smallest steps – Film Screening and Panel Discussion,” we spoke with co-producer Leighann Burns about the documentary the smallest steps. Inspired by a desire to preserve decades of expertise in the fight against violence against women, the film offers a hopeful, inclusive vision for change. Burns discusses its creation, practical takeaways for lawyers, and why small actions can lead to big impacts.
Learn moreAn Interview with the Director of the Smallest Steps
Ashley Seely | November 29, 2024
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.
Learn moreHow Becoming a Mom Made me a Better Lawyer
Debbie Boswell | November 27, 2024
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.
Learn more
Celebrating NAWL's Five Decades of Feminist Law Reform in Canada
Angela Ogang, Vice-Chair, OBA Women Lawyers Forum | April 02, 2024
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.
Learn more
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.
Learn more
Myra Sivaloganathan | May 30, 2023
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.
Learn more
Legal Reads: A book review of "Just Pursuit"
“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.
Learn more
Christine Roth: A force to be reckoned with
Angela Ogang, AngeLAW | February 25, 2023
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.
Learn more
Executive Profile: Introducing Nandi Deterville
Angela Ogang, Newsletter Editor, OBA Citizenship & Immigration Law Section | February 24, 2023
Here at the OBA Citizenship & Immigration Law Section, we are proud of our volunteers and we are constantly looking for ways to highlight their work and achievements. Member-at-Large Nandi Deterville was born and raised in the sunny Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia. She was called to the Bars of England & Wales and Saint Lucia in 2008 and practiced in a small general practice firm before immigrating to Canada. Read on to find out what motivated her to join the OBA and our Section Executive.
Learn moreJulie DeWolf: an Unsung Legal Hero
Tamara J. Sylvester (one/they/them) | November 18, 2022
It is often said that “the wolf does not walk alone; she always carries her pack.” Indeed, one is left to wonder whether Julie DeWolf, the SOGIC Executive’s outgoing Chair, derives her unwavering commitment to service to the legal and broader community as well as her democratic and affiliative leadership style from her surname!
Learn moreKarlie Nordstrom and Leslie Anne St. Amour | October 21, 2022
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.
Learn moreBaiqing Luo | February 28, 2022
Though no stranger to relocating and adapting, I found it challenging as a newcomer to Canada and as a law student because I knew absolutely nothing about Canadian society or Canadian law. Fast forward three years, and I am an articling student with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. So, what helped me land on my feet in Canada? If I was to offer one answer, it would be the conscious effort to build contextual intelligence.
Learn moreThe Future is Femme, Black Femme Legal!
Tamara J. Sylvester (one/they/them) | February 27, 2022
Allow me to reintroduce you to Samantha Peters (she/her/they/them) – no stranger to the spotlight. Samantha, who proudly identifies as a black queer femme, was called to the bars of Alberta and Ontario in 2020. In that short time, she has made a palpable impact on the legal profession because of her innovative and rebellious approach to the practice of law and the seemingly fearless way in which she navigates the margins that contemporary Canadian society imposes on her intersecting identities.
Learn moreHow our Boardrooms Became Classrooms: Virtual School, Real Headache
Amelia Yiu, Elm Law Professional Corporation | February 23, 2022
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.
Learn more
Hamna Anwar | February 02, 2022
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.
Learn moreNothing But The Truth – A Memoir (Book Review)
Amrita V. Singh | January 14, 2022
I didn’t “know” much about Marie Henein as a person before reading this memoir, beyond her reputation for a strong work ethic, keen sense of justice, and love of glitter. So, I was surprised to learn as I read the book that she wasn’t that different from me, and very possibly also you.
Learn more
Profiling Diverse Experiences: Sara Racicot’s experience studying law abroad
The purpose of this article is to provide other international students who want to practice law in Canada with some of the valuable information I have gained through networking, attending online events, and panels throughout my first year. Here's my story.
Learn more
Remote Work: New Lessons from our Not-So-New Reality
For those of us with children, we all have assessed the losses for them over this pandemic year and struggled to help them cope with the absence of social get-togethers, driver’s education, sports, and being at school with their classmates and teachers.
Learn more
Resilient Job Searching in a Confusing Time
Welcome to 2021, the year we all hoped would be different and exciting and most importantly rid of the COVID-19. As we trudge along, now almost 1/3 of the way done, we can truly see how difficult this year has been, not for one, some, or many, but every single one of us. Here's a look at my personal experience.
Learn more
Thoughts on Diversity Practices in our Organizations
Tejal Harri-Morar | May 24, 2021
Coming from South Africa, a country that had openly practiced direct and indirect exclusionary practices previously against its citizens and inhabitants, I offer my real-life observations and thoughts on the current practices in organizations and recommendations that can possibly assist with furthering diversity practices.
Learn more
A Long Road to Licensing - An ITL's Tale & Personal Experience
Chigozie Enwereuzo | May 24, 2021
Yes, it has been a long road through licensing in Ontario. It has been eight years and counting in my quest to obtain an Ontario license to practice law. I took a longer route than the typical internationally trained lawyer (ITL). Here's my story.
Learn moreLouise Vrebosch | April 15, 2021
A great deal has been written, particularly since the recent U.S. Congressional campaign, studying the increasing predominance and impact of harmful language directed towards female candidates and politicians on social media platforms. Although few female politicians could discount the benefits of using social media to connect with and mobilize their constituency, the impacts of online sexism, harassment and threats disproportionately targeted at female politicians online is undeniable.
Learn more
An Interview with Samantha Peters: Highlighting Women in the Legal Profession
Naomi Sayers, OBA WLF Executive, lawyer | April 02, 2021
Recently, Naomi Sayers had a chance to sit down for an interview with Samantha Peters, to highlight her work in the industry, her journey to the practice of law, community lawyering, and serving the Black community.
Learn more
Community Outreach: Highlighting the Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women
Emilia Coto, Sisu Legal | April 02, 2021
Emilia Coto sheds some light on a community organization in southwestern Ontario, the Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women, and its work supporting women in its community.
Learn more
Managing Parental Leave: Considerations for Women in the Legal Profession
Amelia Yiu, Elm Law Professional Corporation | April 02, 2021
Lawyers who are about to welcome a new child into their lives should all be concerned about parental leave, but I am writing this for the Women Lawyers Forum because the burden of child care disproportionately falls on women in our society. This is because of the ingrained expectation that women perform these childcare duties, no matter what their profession or the profession of their spouse.
Learn more
