I just finished reading the highly praised “Me and White Supremacy” authored by Layla F. Saad., antiracist educator. Briefly, this book is structured as a 28-day anti-racism guide that specifically targets readers that are white, or white-passing. The guide aims to help readers identify the impact of and navigate the often-hidden mechanisms of white supremacy and systemic racism in our own lives. I strongly urge all who have committed their life to combating racism to not only read this book, but to do this book. I did, and I will tell you that it was a necessary learning experience for me. Three key things I have learned from this book are: 1. It is not enough to not be racist and if you think it is, this book is written for you. 2. If you bought this book because you…

“One piece of invaluable advice I received was from my late father, who practiced law for nearly 40 years. He told me to remember that a lawyer’s job is not to simply recite the facts as presented by your client; that is called dictation. A lawyer’s job is to listen to their client about his/her story, critically review the evidence, and then tell your client’s story in a compelling and effective way. I try to follow this simple piece of advice in every aspect of my practice, starting with the drafting of pleadings to finalizing my written and oral arguments. I consider “story telling” to be at the heart of legal advocacy.” – Lindsay Johnston, Life in Law Advisor and lawyer at Harper Grey LLP The Life in Law team is made up of a group of women lawyers who…

On September 30th, Lean In Canada and McKinsey & Company released their 6th “Women In The Workplace Report” which focused on how COVID-19 could erase gains made by women in management and senior leadership positions (read the report here). On Thursday, October 22, the Vancouver Chapter of Lean in Canada will host a virtual discussion titled, “The Pandemic and Gender Equality: Addressing the Regressive Effects” focusing on the individual journeys of three women battling the repercussions of the pandemic in their workplaces. The Vancouver Chapter of Lean in Canada dedicates itself to empowering women to take action by providing support and opportunities for members to connect. Read more about Lean In Vancouver here. Register for tomorrow’s discussion by clicking here.

This is such an important question, and certainly you will get different answers from different lawyers depending on their own strengths or weaknesses or what they value in their own practice. For me, I can definitely say that over the years of practicing law I have learned there are three skills that are worth honing in order to become an effective lawyer. Frankly, as I reflect on all three, these skills don’t apply just to law but to life in general. They are, in no particular order of importance: Listening Being Organized Being Thorough Listening I want to start with listening because this skill is one we should all work on daily. Regardless of age or experience, I would challenge anyone to say that they have mastered this skill. It is also a very different skill than “hearing”. Hearing does…

I was catching up with Kim Jakeman last week and we chatted about the new Life in Law initiative. We got to talking about when I left Vancouver more than six years ago to start my own firm in Campbellford, Ontario. She thought that my perspectives may assist others considering a similar move and invited me to create a blog post. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity and hope that sharing my experience can help you. My thoughts in brief: 1. Get hands-on practice management experience in your big firm practice. 2. Consider what is attracting you to a smaller centre. 3. Go with your gut. 4. Give back to your small community. 5. Choose your practice areas intelligently. 6. Collaborate with other practitioners. 7. Hang on to your hat… My broader thoughts: I spent the first eight…