Women's Caucus
The CDL Women’s Caucus was established in 2016 to promote the goals of leadership, education, empowerment and networking - with a focus on supporting our women lawyers in their pursuit of career growth. The caucus is guided by a national Steering Committee.
The Women’s Caucus hosts an Annual Luncheon, usually in conjunction with the CDL AGM. We are fortunate to have featured engaging speakers who provided tips or resources on topics such as mentoring, developing networks, improving communication and managing stress. I addition, we are delighted to use the gathering as an opportunity to support charitable organizations, which have included The Period Purse, Dress for Success, and the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade.
In addition to the Annual Luncheon in June, the coming year will see the caucus launch programming across the country, often in partnership with other CDL events or committees.
The Women’s Caucus is excited to announce that plans are in the early stages for a national retreat in the fall of 2022.
The Women’s Caucus is open to all. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact any Women's Caucus executive member, or CDL staff.
Executive
Chair: Lisa Pool, Sullivan Festeryga LLP
First Vice Chair: Pearl Rombis, Snowden Law
Second Vice Chair: Maura Thompson, Shillington McCall LLP
Immediate Past Chair: Heather Vaughan, Benson Percival Brown LLP
Founding Chair: Aleksandra Zivanovic, SGI Canada/Coachman Insurance
RESOURCES
Who Have Been Women Judges In Ontario?
The Honourable Pamela Thomson’s 2021 updated book listing and summarizing all women who were appointed (federally and provincially) to the Bench in Ontario.
“This brief history of women judges in Ontario is offered as a homage to those who came
before me and to those who came to the bench in the 9 years after my appointment in
1981.” – The Honourable Pamela Thomson
Click HERE for a copy of the updated book
AWARDS
Philippa G. Samworth Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession
This Canadian Defence Lawyers Award, named for a founding member of CDL, recognizes individuals for distinguished service to women in the legal profession in Canada. This nominee shall be an individual who has demonstrated a high regard for and support of women in the law by demonstrating the following:
1) Commitment to advocating the inclusion and promotion of women in the legal profession through activity that has a visible, tangible, or measurable impact on the perception of attitude toward, and respect for the treatment of women, and fostering women’s initiatives and promoting positive mentoring relationships with other women in the legal profession; and/or
2) Leadership in the development of measures to fight gender discrimination and prejudice in the profession.
One award will be presented each year.
Eligibility
Any individual in good standing within the legal profession is eligible for this nomination. Preference is given to members of Canadian Defence Lawyers.
Nominations
Any CDL member may nominate someone.
Selection
Nominations will be evaluated by an Awards Jury representing the CDL executive and membership at large. To assist the Committee in its selection, please include the nominee's CV and a minimum of two supporting letters. The Committee is interested in a description of the contributions that the nominee has made in accordance with the above criteria. The Committee may check, on a confidential basis, with CDL members locally.
Presentation
The award will be presented at the CDL Annual Meeting, at a regional meeting or at a special event.
Deadline for the annual award is announced in the first quarter of the year.
Nominations should be sent to the Executive Director of CDL by email to: randi@cdlawyers.org
PHILIPPA G. SAMWORTH AWARD FOR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION APPLICATION FORM
The CDL Women’s Caucus was established in 2016 to promote the goals of leadership, education, empowerment and networking - with a focus on supporting our women lawyers in their pursuit of career growth. The caucus is guided by a national Steering Committee, with Regional Chairs.
Chair: Lisa Pool, Sullivan Festeryga
Vice Chair: Pearl Rombis, Snowden Law
Vice Chair: Maura Thomson, Shillington McCall
Atlantic Canada: Sarah Nicholson, Stewart McKelvey
Ontario North: Sabrina Lucenti, Dooley Lucenti LLP
Ontario South West:
Western Canada: Heather Laing QC, McDougall Gauley LLP
In 2017 and 2018, we held the annual Women’s Caucus Luncheon in Toronto, featuring Marianne Trost, the Women Lawyers' Coach. We were also delighted to use the gathering as an opportunity to support a local woman-centric charity – The Period Purse.
The coming year will see the caucus launch programming across the country, often in partnership with other CDL events. The annual luncheon will take place in June 2019 in Toronto, and plans are in the early stages for a national retreat in the fall of 2022
The Women’s Caucus is open to all. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact your regional chair.
* Many thanks to McKellar Structured Settlements - founding supporter of the CDL Women's Caucus.