Dear Learning & Growing: Unconscious bias is a phenomena that naturally developed with the evolution of the human mind. We all hold unconscious, biologically hardwired preferences. Some of these preferences are helpful to our survival, but some can be detrimental to effective function in an inclusive society. In order to address these unconscious biases we need to be honest with ourselves about them.

Congratulations to Life in Law Advisor and Harper Grey lawyer, Rose Keith, QC, on her recent appointment as Chair of the CBABC Women Lawyers Forum (WLF)! WLF promotes and supports women’s influence in law by identifying a need for programs, plans and systems that promote their capacity within the legal profession, and currently has a following of approximately 1300 subscribers!

“My one piece of advice to up and coming women lawyers is to challenge expectations. There is more than one path to success and lots of different ways to be successful. I volunteered as an Advisor because it is hard sometimes to be a lawyer, let alone an up and coming woman lawyer, and we could all use the support.” – Lara Zee, Life in Law Advisor and Partner at Harper Grey LLP

We believe in equal rights for everyone and the racially driven events of recent times in both Canada and the US weigh heavily on us. It is not enough to say that we stand in solidarity with the fight against racism – we must raise our voice and take active steps to challenge systemic racism and discrimination, and to impact positive change.

Dear Disrespected: I raised a similar issue with male colleagues early on in my career and was told it was “in my head” and that “everyone knows that women are harder to work with.” This response, to put it colloquially, SUCKED! It both suggested that my judgment was poor and was not constructive. Instead, consider the following: