If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a woman in the legal profession, the Dean's new speaker series is a good place to find an answer.
The series kicked off yesterday with a visit from The Hon. Kristine Eidsvik, Justice, Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, and Sara Hart, a partner at Dentons in Edmonton.
The series was organized and is being moderated by first-year law students Aly Kim and Bernadette McMechan, under the direction of Dean Paton.
During the planning process, the students were responsible for reaching out to the speakers and coordinating the logistics of dates and advertising. Additionally, at each session they are responsible for introducing the speakers and helping to facilitate discussions.
"When Dean Paton approached me at the end of fall term and asked if I would like to be involved in organizing a speaker series showcasing the perspective of prominent women in the profession, I was very excited," said Kim.
"Hearing and understanding all voices is important to the healthy functioning of any community, and is especially important in a community like the legal profession that seeks to uphold values of equality and justice," said McMechan.
Throughout the series, students can expect to hear about each speaker's experiences in various practice settings, challenges they've faced, and - looking back - what they would recommend to their law school selves.
Sessions will continue through the balance of the academic term.
March 15:
Shelley Miller, Q.C., Shelley Miller Professional Corporation
Anne L. Kirker, Q.C., Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
March 20:
Lara Pella, Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Imperial Oil / ExxonMobil Canada
The Rt. Honourable Kim Campbell, Founding Principal, Peter Lougheed Leadership College
March 27:
Jody Brennan, Regional Director (Western, NWT and Yukon), Status of Women Canada
Debjani Poddar, Counsel, Department of Justice Canada
April 5: Speakers TBC
Please note: This series is intended for law students and space is limited to 20 participants for each session. Advanced registration is recommended. Each session will take place in CN Alumni Hall from 12-1pm. Lunch will be provided.