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THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Women's Wellness

As part of OLAP's vision to promote a lifestyle of balance and well being for all members of the legal profession, and to prevent problems through early intervention, OLAP (in conjunction with the Women's Law Association of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association) has developed the Women's Work and Wellness Group Luncheon Series.

The goal of these quarterly meetings is to promote wellness and balance for women in the legal profession.  These informative luncheon meetings are a great way to meet and discuss issues of importance to women lawyers.

Come and hear interesting presenters discuss topics of interest and importance to women lawyers. Take some time for yourself and meet colleagues.

Some feedback from our recent luncheons:

“This was the first luncheon I attended.  I liked the casual atmosphere.  It is also interesting to listen to speakers address a topic that pertains to a lawyer’s personal life since most seminars geared towards lawyers address the latest developments in the law.”

“The supportive, encouraging, friendly atmosphere was great.”

“The luncheon provides the chance to mingle with other lawyers; provides education on interesting and useful topics not covered in traditional teaching of the law, but is very important.”

“I really enjoyed meeting participants and hearing about topics that have been a concern to me - nice to see that I am not alone.”

“The thing I like most about the luncheons is that I have the opportunity to articulate some of the very important issues that we never have time to think about.”

“The best part of the luncheon series is having the opportunity to listen to the speakers and speak to them on an individual basis afterwards.”

If you wish to subscribe to receive our notices for upcoming luncheons, please contact Jill Keaney at j.keaney@olap.ca or by telephone at 905-238-1740.

Upcoming Luncheons

OLAP WOMEN'S WORK AND WELLNESS GROUP LUNCHEON MEETING
Date: September 16, 2010
Time: 12:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking - 12:15-1:00 p.m. Presentation
Topic: "Nobody's Dirty Laundry: Shining the light on Mental Illness"
Speaker: Karen Liberman
PLACE: Doris Law Office, 222 Somerset W, 2nd Floor, Board Room Ottawa, ON, K2P 2G3

We welcome a $10.00 voluntary payment to help cover costs of the lunch.

Presenter:

Karen Liberman is a dynamic presenter with a passion for helping people understand and deal with mental health issues. She is president of the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. She is a long-time community activist, workshop presenter, group facilitator and social justice advocate. Above all, she is a shining example of hope and recovery. She has received many awards including the Ontario Psychological Association’s Public Service Award, the prestigious Douglas Utting Award of excellence in combating the stigma of depression and the Courage to Come Back Award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Deadline for registration is Friday, September 10, 2010

RSVP:
Patty deLaat, Women's Law Association of Ontario
email wlao@wlao.on.ca
Jill Keaney, Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program
email j.keaney@olap.ca

Past Luncheon Summaries

OLAP WOMEN'S WORK AND WELLNESS GROUP LUNCHEON MEETING
Date: May 28, 2010
Time: 12:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking - 12:15-1:00 p.m. Presentation
Topic: Women in Law: Exploring the Options
Speaker: Alison Hurst, of LSUC, will speak on the Contract Lawyers' Registry. Nina Moritsugu, of Cognition, will speak on contract in-house counsel positions.
PLACE: Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre, 20 Toronto St., Suite 200 Toronto

We welcome a $5.00 voluntary payment to help cover costs of the lunch.

Women Lawyers have options for employment apart from the traditional model of practicing long hours. If you feel dissatisfied or trapped, consider the opportunities. Legal education is one of the most versatile training that exists and offers a door to many opportunities. Come and hear how two women lawyers have explored options and created careers that work for them.

Presenters:

Nina Moritsugu B.A. (Hons.) McGill University, 1989, LL.B University of Toronto, 1994. In 2005, Nina joined Cognition LLP, a novel legal services provider which provides in-house counsel on an outsourced basis (www.cognitionllp.com). On behalf of Cognition, Nina acts as part-time General Counsel to several software and telecommunications companies as well as to a leading charitable organization.

Alison Hurst LL.B is the Lawyer Liaison Counsel for the Law Society of Upper Canada. As the Lawyer Liaison Counsel, Alison works with lawyers throughout the province of Ontario to learn about the issues they face, and to bring their feedback to the Law Society where she and her colleagues use this information to develop supports and resources. She is, also, very involved with the Law Society's Retention of Women in Private Practice and Justicia projects, and oversees the development of a number of initiatives which were designed to help women lawyers succeed in private practice. ahurst@lsuc.on.ca

Deadline for registration is Friday, May 21, 2010

RSVP:
Krista Martin Gorelle
email kgorelle@osc.gov.on.ca
Patty deLaat, Women's Law Association of Ontario
email wlao@wlao.on.ca
Jill Keaney, Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program
email j.keaney@olap.ca

OLAP WOMEN'S WORK AND WELLNESS GROUP LUNCHEON MEETING
Date: March 25, 2010
Time: 12:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking - 12:15-1:00 p.m. Presentation
Topic: Nobody's Dirty Laundry: Shining the light on Mental Illness
Speaker: Karen Lieberman, Director, Mood Disorder Association
PLACE: Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre, 20 Toronto St., Suite 200 Toronto

We welcome a $5.00 voluntary payment to help cover costs of the lunch.

Lawyers often face the complexities of mental health issues in practice and in personal life. The issues of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are never far from mind. Come and hear a perspective that will help with practical tips, things to say and do when dealing with a difficult situation and prevention of possible problems related to mental illness. You will be glad that you did.

Presenter
Karen Liberman is a dynamic presenter with a passion for helping people understand and deal with mental health issues. She is president of the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. She is a long-time community activist, workshop presenter, group facilitator and social justice advocate. Above all, she is a shining example of hope and recovery. She has received many awards including the Ontario Psychological Association's Public Service Award, the prestigious Douglas Utting Award of excellence in combating the stigma of depression and the Courage to Come Back Award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

 

OLAP WOMEN'S WORK AND WELLNESS GROUP LUNCHEON MEETING
Date: January 29, 2010
Topic: Managing financial challenges
Speaker: Nancy Edmison, Financial Consultant

OLAP WOMEN'S WORK AND WELLNESS GROUP LUNCHEON MEETING
DATE: Friday November 20, 2009
TIME: 12:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking - 12:15-1:00 p.m. Presentation
PLACE: Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre, 20 Toronto St., Suite 200 Toronto
TOPIC: Building Your Best Law Career
SPEAKER: Sue Van Der Hout

We welcome a $5.00 voluntary payment to help cover costs of the lunch

Women represent over 50% of the intake and output of law schools. They are getting more BA's and MA's than men. They are entering the working world at the same rate as men. Yet, partnership in professional firms and senior roles and responsibilities remain elusive relative to the number of female entrants. Three to five years into their professional careers, the refrain is the same: "I do beautiful work! Why aren't I being recognized?" This question is frequently followed by: "Is this what I really want to do with my life?"

Which foot is the right foot to set out on? How do you build your best career? How do you evaluate your choices as the geography of your life and your career changes?
Join Sue Van Der Hout on November 20 for a lively interactive discussion on law and building your best career. Come armed and ready.

Sue has a LLB and an LLM. She practiced law from 1981-1999 with the Department of Justice and then from 1999 - 2003 as a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. She has taught law internationally and in Canada, and currently teaches business at the Schulich School of Business. She is the founder of Girlphyte.com, an online webzine about how women are redefining success that has received over 2.8 million hits and is read in over 50 countries. Sue is a regular speaker to women across Canada on women's issues; career and life success; and family communication and wealth management.

 

OLAP understands lawyers. OLAP reaches out to lawyers.

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GTA: 905-238-1740
Fax: 905-238-2732

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