Message from the Chair:
As we begin a new year, I would like to wish all of our members a happy, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead.
The Women Lawyers Forum has had an exceptionally busy and productive year, driven by ambitious ideas and programs that advance our mandate. None of this work would be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our Section Executive members, who generously volunteer countless hours in service of the Section. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment, creativity, and leadership, and for their continued dedication to the Women Lawyers Forum. I also want to thank our members for their engagement, support, and enthusiasm – their participation is what makes this Section thrive.
As we look ahead, we are excited to share a strong slate of initiatives, events, and advocacy efforts already underway. From a national conference and webinars to awards, writing opportunities, and policy work; the year ahead reflects the energy, vision, and purpose of the WLF.
We hope you will join us in the months to come and continue to be part of this important work.
2026 WLF National Conference: The Rise of Women-Led Law Firms
October 15-16, 2026
Richmond, BC
Returning this year as an in-person event, the 2026 WLF Conference will take place on October 15-16, 2026, at the Westin Wall Centre in Richmond, British Columbia. The conference will begin with a networking event on Thursday, followed by a full-day conference on Friday.
The conference will highlight the leadership of women across private, public, and in-house practice, with a particular focus on learning from private practitioners who have launched, built, and continue to thrive in their own firms.
Stay tuned for the agenda, speaker lineup, and registration details.
Cecilia I. Johnstone Award: Nominations Open
This annual award honours a colleague who has achieved professional excellence in their field and who has influenced other women to pursue legal careers, supported women in advancing their careers, or opened doors for women lawyers in professional settings that were historically closed to them. The award is named in honour of an outstanding woman lawyer, judge, and former CBA President, who passed away on April 15, 2006. Nomination details are available here.
WLF welcomes nominations until June 30, 2026. The Award will be presented in-person at the 2026 WLF Conference, October 15-16, 2026.
Webinar: Intersections Between Abortion Rights and Freedom of Expression
February 25, 2026, 1:00-2:30 ET (online only)
This webinar will examine the intersections between abortion rights and freedom of expression, while building on the 2024 WLF-sponsored resolution on Abortion Rights in Canada (Resolution 24-09-A), and our 2025 webinar on Advancing Abortion Access in Canada. It will tackle several pressing topics in abortion law, including “bubble zone” laws that limit protests near health care facilities (and constitutional challenges to those laws), and legal responses to anti-abortion ad campaigns. Touching on the US context for comparative purposes, the panel will consider recent US efforts to restrict and even criminalize the provision of information about abortion. In doing so, it will explore ways to tackle misinformation about abortion access right here in Canada.
Registration is free for CBA Members.
Madam Justice Reaches 75+ Profiles!
Celebrate with us by looking back over the 75 profiles of judges who have overcome adversity, discrimination, and hardship to forge their own paths on the Bench. More profiles to come on social media in the coming weeks. Be sure to subscribe and follow #CBA_WLF on LinkedIn or Instagram, and watch for upcoming webinar details!
Webinar: Madam Justice Symposium
Spring 2026
The half-day symposium will feature members of the judiciary who have been profiled through the Madam Justice Project. The program will highlight the professional journeys, leadership, and lived experiences of women judges whose stories reflect the evolving face of the judiciary and the legal profession in Canada. The symposium is intended to create a meaningful dialogue between the bench and the bar, focusing on themes such as judicial career pathways, mentorship and sponsorship, resilience and leadership, and the broader impact of representation and diversity within the justice system. Through moderated panel discussions, participants will gain insight into the personal and professional experiences that have shaped these judges’ careers, as well as reflections on the role of the judiciary in a changing legal landscape.
Stay tuned for more details to come!
The Hockey Canada Verdict and the Evolving Law of Consent
Coming Soon
This webinar will explore the evolving legal and social landscape of sexual assault and consent in Canada, tracing key cases from Ewanchuk and Ghomeshi to the recent Hockey Canada verdict. A panel of legal experts will provide in-depth analysis of these high-profile cases, focusing on systemic challenges, gaps in accountability, and societal attitudes toward survivors of sexual assault, including the gendered dynamics that contribute to inequality and shape survivors’ experiences. The discussion will examine the implications of these issues for the criminal justice system, professional practice, and ongoing efforts to strengthen survivor support and advance equity in sexual assault cases.
WLF Essay Contest
The Women Lawyers Forum established the Writing Them In essay contest in 2019. Now known as Writing Them In, this essay contest is for the best student paper on developments in Canadian law and/or Canadian legal history related to advancing gender equity.
Historically, eligibility was limited to students enrolled in a Canadian law school. The WLF has since expanded its criteria to include full-time or part-time students enrolled in a JD or LLB program at a Canadian law school, National Committee on Accreditation candidates, and students who are articling or completing an equivalent program in accordance with the requirements of a Canadian law society.
Submissions are due by April 26, 2026.
For more information visit the website here: CBA Women Lawyers Forum Essay Contest – Writing Them In | Canadian Bar Association.
Advocacy
This year, the WLF has been actively engaged in reviewing and assessing legislative proposals aimed at advancing gender equality and safety. This work includes proposed amendments to the Divorce Act and recent Criminal Code reforms addressing femicide and gender-based violence in intimate partner contexts, as well as participation in a roundtable with the Minister of Justice on these initiatives. The WLF is also collaborating with other groups within the Canadian Bar Association, including the Family Law Section and the Equity Subcommittee, to advance shared priorities. In addition, the WLF has provided support to the International Bar Association in its ongoing efforts to survey women’s representation across all levels of the legal profession.