SUMMARY OF MEETINGS: WOMEN LAWYERS FORUM
Number of Meetings Held: 6
September 17, 2024
Fall Launch feat. Hot Tips from Top Mentors
Guest Speakers: Jeevyn Dhaliwal KC, Larlee Rosenberg, Dimple Kainth, Satya Law, Judge Sheryl Wagner, Provincial Court of BC, and Deb Viccars, Doctors of BC
Synopsis: An evening with insightful speakers who share about mentorship and how their own experiences with mentors and champions have shaped their careers.
Attendance: 36 in person, 18 online
November 27, 2024
Claim Your Space: Self-Advocacy for Women Lawyers
Guest Speakers: Diane Bell K.C., Partner and Mediator at Clark Wilson, Lisa Andersen, Director, Legal Talent and Knowledge Management at Singleton Reynolds, Michaela Krell, National Director at Life After Law, with Moderator: Catherine Ewasiuk, Associate at Dentons and co-author of the CBABC’s report on Pay Equity in the Legal Profession (2021)
Synopsis: Personal accounts from speakers as they present tips on identifying professional inequities, challenging them and closing the confidence gap when advocating for our career growth. Explore lessons in building self-confidence, effectively putting yourself out there and creating a robust support system that helps you to ‘Claim your Space’. Followed by a Q&A portion for attendees to share their own experiences.
Attendance: 33 in-person, 44 online
January 30, 2025
Junior Women Lawyers Networking Event
Synopsis: Informal evening consisting of mingling over snacks, and a brief overview of the WLF and its subcom
Attendance: 60 in-person
February 26, 2024
Senior Women Lawyers Dinner
Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Watson, KC, CEO and Founder of Watson Board Advisors
Synopsis: An evening dedicated to honoring the achievements, wisdom, and empowerment of women who have paved the way for others.
Attendance: 22 in-person
March 31, 2025
Women Leading in Law
Daria Batkin, CEO and Founder of Icon Law Group, Morgan Camley, Lead of Litigation and Dispute Resolution at Dentons Vancouver, Emily Clough, Managing Partner at Clark Wilson LLP, Atoussa Mahmoudpour, Principal and Founder of AMR Law with Moderator: Michelle Wong, WLF Education Committee, McMillan LLP
Synopsis: For women, leadership comes with its own set of unique challenges that can make the journey even more complex. The discussion covers a wide range of important topics, including effective leadership, career strategies for success, overcoming challenges and barriers, work-life balance and wellbeing, and advocating for diversity and inclusion.
Attendance: 28 in-person, 51 online
April 10, 2025
Women Lawyers Forum Awards Gala
Guest Speakers: The Honourable Marion Buller
Synopsis: This year, we celebrate the recipients of the 2025 Women Lawyers Forum Awards: Sara Forte, Forte Workplace Law for the Award of Excellence, Rose Keith, KC, Harper Grey LLP for the Debra Van Ginkel, QC Mentoring Award, and Caroline Senini, Peck and Company for the Kathryn Sainty, KC Rising Star Award
Attendance: 200 in-person
May 27, 2025
Book Club: Creating a Seat at the Table
Facilitators: Tina Daschuk, Lawyer, Paula Price, Legal Coach, Uplevel Lawyer Coaching, Prashasti Janghel, Lawyer, Ayn Legal Law Corporation, and Ivy Yang, WLF Education Committee, Dentons LLP
Synopsis: A thought-provoking evening as we discuss Creating a Seat at the Table, a book that offers a window into the lives of women who have faced—and overcome—the unique challenges of a career in law. Through a series of candid letters, these women share stories of resilience in the face of discrimination, courage in moments of doubt, and the determination to succeed in a field shaped by tradition.
Attendance: 11 in-person, 6 online
June 5, 2025
Summer Social: Celebration of Progress and Possibilities
Guest Speakers: Linda K. Robertson, Retired Lawyer, Sara Forte, Forte Law Corporation, and Cheryl D’Sa, KC, Narwal Litigation LLP
Synopsis: End-of-year celebration, and presentation by an inspiring panel of three distinguished WLF Award recipients, including Linda K. Robertson, Sara Forte, and Cheryl D’Sa K.C., who spoke about how they’ve maintained a meaningful law practice and how far women lawyers have come, through the lens of their different perspectives.
Attendance: 20 in-person, 2 online