For Women in Law By Women in Law

The format of our Blog is unique. It was created as a place to ask questions and to read real-life stories to learn and grow from. Our advisors have a wonderful mix of experience and are eager to share their insights on the issues women in the profession face and the topics many do not feel comfortable broaching. Step into our Blog and learn how to enhance your career and personal – and professional – lives.

You can submit your question using the Blog Submission form below.

Please note that your question will not be posted or answered directly. Each question or concern will be considered and addressed topically in a Blog post format.

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So go on, ask us a question

Equity v. Equality

“Equality is giving everyone the same pair of shoes. Equity is giving everyone a pair of shoes that fits.” -Author unknown   I grew up in the 80s, graduating from law school in 1992. My early exposure to feminism was focused on ensuring that women were given the same opportunities as men – specifically opportunities in  the workplace and in life in general. The 80s were a very different time for women and this time in history had a very different focus when it came to understanding the barriers to equality that women faced. The seminal 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the US and it was only in 1988 that the Supreme Court of Canada legalized abortion for Canadian women in all circumstances. Prior to the Morgentaler decision, s. 251 of the Criminal Code made the…

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“Dear LiL: I am looking forward to starting my articles next month, but I don’t know how I should be preparing to ensure I start off on the right foot. Also, how should I be preparing for PLTC and the bar exam in BC?” Signed ~ Putting the Right Foot Forward

Dear: Putting the Right Foot Forward, Firstly, congratulations on making it this far! You have come a long way and are now approaching the final hurdle before you are finally called to the bar. Take a moment to appreciate how far you have come. Here are some of my tips on how to get prepared for articling, PLTC and the bar exams. Enjoy your Pre-Articling Down Time First and foremost, there is only so much you can do to prepare for your articling year. Enjoy your pre-articling down time. Life as an articling student is challenging and demanding. Take time now before you start to relax and enjoy some down time if you can. You want to start your articles fresh and energized.   Get Organized Plan your daily schedule, and then plan and schedule as if your day will…

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Guest Blogger, Jennifer Whately “Did It The Hard Way”, and shares the impact being a single mother had on her career as a lawyer

When my dear friend (and LiL Advisor) Jennifer Woznesensky asked me if I would be willing to contribute to Lil Blog, I was more than happy to say yes. Jen and I met on our very first day of UVic law school way back in 1998. I think we are a great example of opposites attract. Jen has always been the life of any party and an extroverted force of nature. I am decidedly not…that. Thankfully for me, Jen W took the other (far more reserved) Jen W in our first year small group under her wing, and we’ve been friends ever since. As different as we are, we also have a great deal in common. We are senior legal practitioners with families, and we are both committed to supporting young women in the practice of law at all stages…

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Hustle Until Your Haters Ask If You’re Hiring

Hustle Until Your Haters Ask If You’re Hiring. This is my personal mantra. I have no idea who said it. I first saw it on a workout shirt (which I now own). Google is of no help. So, I guess kudos to someone in a marketing or design department at some unknown corporation. Your words kick my butt into gear on a daily basis. Not everyone is going to love this mantra. And that is just fine. I have come to realize that nobody loves everything. Some may feel you should not measure your success against the opinion of others. They’re right. But these words – Hustle Until Your Haters Ask If You’re Hiring – just speak to me. So to those that don’t like it, I hear ya, but I still love it, and I live by it. So…

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Dear LiL: How can I be a more efficient articling student and get the most out of my experience? I am feeling so overwhelmed all the time and that I am not ‘learning’ fast enough! ~ Signed The Hopeful Quick-Study

Dear Hopeful Quick-Study: This is an excellent question. The articling experience is notoriously challenging and often all-consuming. In this post, I outline some strategies for managing the articling experience based on my own experience and what I’ve picked up from colleagues over the years. There is a Significant Learning Curve I wanted to speak to this point first, as I often questioned whether I was learning “fast enough” during articles. The short answer is that there is no “right” pace for learning. During articles (and the first several years of practice) you are taking in a lot of new information, and for the most part, you are doing things for the very first time. The first few times you take on a new task, it takes longer to complete. This is normal. My best advice for this point is to…

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