Connecting Women Lawyers
Remarks from the Chair
By J. Cherisse Friesen
Editors
Grace Cleveland, Leah Seneviratne
Editorial Board
J.
As I write these remarks, Canada is marking its annual national Mental Health Week. Dialogue surrounding mental health in the legal profession has increased significantly over the last several years, and for good reason. Studies indicate that mental health issues are pervasive in the legal profession and consistently higher than average. According to the recently published National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada, rates of stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression are alarmingly high. What is notable is that these rates are higher for women, the LGBTQ2S+ community, racialized lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and young lawyers.
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The study, led by Dr. Nathalie Cadieux at Sherbrooke University, examined responses from more than 7300 legal professionals nationally. One of its key findings indicated that more than half of all respondents reported experiencing psychological distress and burnout, with higher rates reported for others, including women and LGBTQ2S+ community.
It is well established that many women leave private practice after 5 to 10 years. Some leave the profession entirely. There is little doubt that improving wellness in the workplace is an important component to addressing the rate of attrition of women in the practice of law. This study provides us with some insight into possible solutions. For example, an analysis of working conditions in women’s early career shows that lack of resources is associated with an increase of feelings of burnout. Conversely, consistency of organizational and personal values as well as remote work are associated with decreased depressive symptoms and feelings of burnout. For women with more than 10 years of experience, there are indicators that recognition is associated with decrease in depressive symptoms and feelings of burnout.
For those in leadership roles in the legal profession, these findings may be important considerations when developing retention strategies. How does your firm or organization address psychological distress and burnout? What steps are being taken to support structures that decrease mental health stressors? What are the barriers to institutional change?
For the Women Lawyers Forum, this report reaffirms the importance of our objectives which include, among other things, to develop programs that enhance the professional confidence of women and to develop mechanisms for the promotion and advancement of the influence of women in the legal profession. At the end of each year the WLF Executive meet to review and discuss how to best support the WLF’s purpose and, in turn, women in the legal profession.
Acknowledging the commitment and hard work of our peers has always been one of our approaches. We recently had the pleasure of celebrating the careers and accomplishments of three outstanding women at the WLF Awards Gala. This event recognized the exceptional work of Myrna McCallum (WLF Award of Excellence), Cheryl D’Sa (Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award) and Julia Lockhart (the first recipient of the WLF Rising Star Award).
Recognition is just one part of supporting women and wellness in the profession. Change can be slow and there is still work to do. Fortunately, the Sherbrooke University research team continues to study the results of the report and will assess what specific actions can be taken to address the issues identified. We hope that this work will propel further positive change.
The Path to Pay Equity in the Legal Profession: Where Are We Now?
By Grace ClevelandOnMarch 28, the CBABC WLF celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a book club event to discuss the findings of the recent report of the National WLF, Pay Equity in the Legal Profession. The hybrid event was well-attended both virtually and in-person at Richards Buell Sutton LLP.
In an open and candid conversation, speakers Cheryl D’Sa (managing partner of Narwal Litigation LLP), Nicole Byres, K.C. (lawyer at Southern Butler Price LLP), and moderators
Rose
partner
& Mizrahi LLP) all shared their thoughts on the various elements of pay inequity.
Harper Grey LLP) and Emma Abdjalieva (lawyer at Dives,
Building off some of the core factors that contribute to pay inequity – a lack of transparency, the ‘motherhood’ penalty, gendered file assignment, and a lack of recognition and compensation for non-billable contributions – the group answered questions from the audience and offered real-world solutions that attendees could utilize in their pursuit of more equitable compensation.
Thanks to the WLF’s Education Committee for organizing another enlightening event!
Update from WLF Vancouver Island
By Christine MurrayOnJune 8, the WLF VI hosted its annual Judge’s Dinner event at the Union Club. The evening was once again a resounding success.
Every month, the WLF VI holds a monthly social on the third Thursday of each month. If you are a WLF member and find yourself in Victoria from out of town, please reach out as we would love for you to join us at 10 Acres Commons.
Over the summer months, we will be organizing a squash social club at the YMCA in downtown Victoria. If you are interested in getting out for some fun and fitness (all levels welcome) please contact christine@casselsmurray.com.
BC WLF Executive Contact Information
Chair
J. Cherisse Friesen Cherisse.Friesen@gov.bc.ca
604.660.3019
Vice-Chair
Sara Li sli@trustee.bc.ca
604.660.3200
Treasurer
Melanie Magnusson melanie@magnussonlaw.ca
604.362.4690
Secretary Nicole Chang nchang@wt.ca
604.891.7246
Past Chair
Rose Keith, K.C. rkeith@harpergrey.ca
604.895.2911
Education Committee Co-Chair
Emma Abdjalieva
Emma.Abdjalieva@gmail.com
778.840.0695
Education Committee Co-Chair
Arielle Lavender alavender@rbs.ca
604.595.9906
Mentoring Committee Co-Chair
Melissa VanderHouwen
melissavanderhouwen @mooreedgarlyster.com
604.689.4457
Mentoring Committee Co-Chair
Winkie Chan wchan@hammerco.ca
604.269.8526
Support for Victims of Sexualized Violence: BC Enacts the Intimate Images Protection Act
By Leah SeneviratneAccording to Statistics Canada, there was an 80% increase in reported incidents of non-consensual sharing of intimate photographs from 2015 to 2020i. Of course, this does not take into account the incidents that have gone unreported due to reasons such as embarrassment, stigma and lack of accessible recourse. Research also indicates that the number of incidents has continued to increase.
Thankfully this past March, the BC Legislature passed the Intimate Images Protection Act (“Act”). The Act aims to protect individuals against the longlasting impacts of having one’s intimate images shared online without their consent, by providing an easier process for these individuals to get their images removed and to seek monetary damages. The Civil Resolution Tribunal now has various powers under the Act, such as:
• Make a determination that intimate images were recorded or distributed without consent
• Order Respondents to stop distributing or threatening to distribute intimate images
• Order Respondents to pay monetary damages for harms suffered
Respondents will be able to defend claims for damages against them under the Act by demonstrating an honest or reasonable belief that there was consent, or that the distribution was in the public interestii
Will the Act and its increased access to justice lead to a decrease in the non-consensual sharing of intimate images? It remains to be seen how often and to what extent the recourse provided by the Act will be used, or whether stigma will continue to prevent individuals from reporting such incidents.
i. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023AG0012-000271
ii. https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/42nd parliament/4th-session/bills/first-reading/gov12-1
Careers in the Legal Profession: Which Path is Right For You?
By Grace ClevelandOn May 16, the CBABC WLF presented Careers in the Legal Profession: Which Path is Right For You? The event took place in person at Richards Buell Sutton in Vancouver and remotely with attendees tuning in from across the province.
Moderator Laésha Smith of Poulus Ensom Smith LLP opened the meeting and framed the conversation to follow as being both intimate and authentic. That statement could not have been more accurate!
Panelists Sonali Sharma of Athena Law, Erica Toews of Erica Toews Law Corporation and Joyce Johner of the BC College of Oral Health Professionals then shared stories about their own career paths.
Sonali spoke about her journey with the National Committee on Accreditation process, which included articling in Smithers, and her passion for A2J. She challenged attendees to think of law differently –for example, as a ‘gig’ or with ‘unbundled’ legal services – and not to be afraid to share information. Erica brought another unique perspective with her experience as a freelance legal researcher, starting her own firm, and how often the path we end up taking looks very different than the one we may have planned. Joyce spoke about the importance of building a community for yourself, whether that comes from work, volunteering or serving on boards for charities and other not-for-profits, or seeking out like-minded peers who you can call with a question every now and then.
One shoe does not fit all, and the path you take may have a lot of twists and turns. However, if you follow your instincts and remain open to all the universe has to offer, the possibilities are endless.
Thanks to the CBABC WLF for another fabulous event!
BC WLF Executive Contact Information
Events Planning Co-Chair Nicola Virk nvirk@harpergrey.com
604.895.2310
Events Planning Co-Chair Karissa Kelln kkelln@harpergrey.com 604.895.2872
Marketing & Communications Co-Chair Grace Cleveland grace@clevelanddoan.com 604.536.5002
Marketing & Communications Co-Chair Leah Seneviratne lls@whclaw.ca 604.443.3672
Member at Large Bronwen Black bblack@wt.ca
604.891.7293
Member at Large Arshdeep Sandhu aks@whclaw.ca 604.682.3438
Member at Large Rachel Schechter rschechter@fasken.com
Member at Large Kareen Zimmer kzimmer@fasken.com 604.631.4775
Personal & Professional Self-care: Practical Solutions for Senior Women Lawyers
By Priscila Padilla
On April 19, the CBABC WLF and the Senior Counsel Section co-hosted Personal & Professional Self-care: Practical Solutions for Senior Women Lawyers in person at Harper Grey LLP. Lawyer Jo-Anne Stark, the founding President of the Legal Coaches Association, and Kim Acedo, health and selfcare coach as well as the owner of Transformation Wellness for Women, both discussed developing a plan of action to re-design matters related to life and legal careers.
Jo-Anne’s discussion focused on the impact that current trends such as mental health concerns, global economic challenges, and the emergence of artificial intelligence may have on the future of the legal profession and the opportunities that exist in these trends. A global economic recession, for instance, may bring about changes in the legal profession including a shift in power, the emergence of new legal service providers, and new skillsets. Opportunities exist for lawyers that adapt to economic changes. For example, this may include reducing costs, offering alternative billing arrangements, and diversifying their practice. Jo-Anne also discussed the importance of discovering meaning in life and encouraged women to use one’s passions and skills to make a positive contribution to the world.
Kim’s discussion focused on the importance of self-care, which she defined in general terms as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s well-being and happiness. Kim stated that women can practice selfcare by making small changes to habits around food, sleep, mood, and exercise. For example, women should aim to get an average of 8 hours of sleep per night, eat whole foods in an appropriate quantity, reduce stress levels, and exercise on a regular basis. According to Kim, there is no need to make self-care a big production and a little self-care goes a long way. The following changes, for example, can make a big impact to one’s selfcare: leaving work outside of the bedroom, drinking more water, going outside to reduce stress, and exercising by doing whatever feels good.
Senior Women Lawyers Dinner
By Grace ClevelandThe CBABC WLF held its annual Senior Women Lawyers Dinner on February 22. Set at the historic and picturesque Al Porto Ristorante in Gastown, guests were welcomed ‘Italian style’ and enjoyed a delicious meal, delectable wine and the company of friends and colleagues.
This year’s keynote speaker was the Hon. Nancy Morrison (retired). Formerly serving as a Justice of the BC Supreme Court and as a Judge on the BC Provincial Court, Nancy’s career is one to remember. In her conversation at this event, she treated listeners to stories from her 50+ year career as a legal professional. For those who missed out, or who want to hear more, Nancy’s memoir - Benched: Passion for Law Reform – is a must read.
WLF Awards Gala - Inspiring Fun
By Arshdeep SandhuAftera four year hiatus, the CBABC WLF Awards Gala returned to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel on April 13. The long-anticipated return of this landmark event did not disappoint.
The biennial Awards Gala is held to promote the women lawyers in BC who are making a difference. This year's Gala saw three women honoured with awards and featured BC's Attorney General, the Honourable Niki Sharma, KC, as its keynote speaker.
Not only was it amazing to see many legal professionals, from law students to judges, come together to celebrate the women lawyers in their lives, it was also wonderful to connect in person. The conversations, smiles, and hugs that were missed during the pandemic were back in full force, along with a positive energy from all those attending.
The night was full of truly inspirational moments from all of those we celebrated. Cheryl D’Sa, recipient of the Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award, spoke of her desire to help connect others when she herself felt behind in the world of law. Later in the night, Myrna McCallum, recipient of the Award for Excellence, spoke of what it meant to be flexible and adapt to change - which can be extremely difficult for the legal community. As the woman behind the podcast, “The TraumaInformed Lawyer,” Myrna also spoke about the importance of not being stuck to one idea of being a “lawyer” and opened up everyone’s eyes to other possibilities.
The recipient of the WLF’s inaugural Rising Star Award, Julia Lockhart, was an inspiring illustration of grit and determination. Julia emphasized the importance of not letting stumbling blocks from the past become a barrier to accomplishing many great things.
If there was one big take away from the event, it is that showing up in spaces that were not necessarily made for women lawyers, but doing it anyway and being yourself, can get you very far. For that, I will be forever inspired by the evening.
Stay Connected!
BC WLF membership is open to all CBA members.
For membership information call the CBABC at 604.687.3404, toll free in BC at 1.888.687.3404, or visit: cbabc.org/sections/enroll for a Section enrolment form.
We hope you will join the Forum!
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CBA National WLF NewsletterThe Common Room is available at cba.org/Sections/WomenLawyers/Articles
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