Legal Research

Justitia Think Tank

By Simon Fodden

The Law Society of Upper Canada today announced [PDF] the formation of the Justitia Think Tank as part of its effort to “retain and advance women” in the legal profession. Forty Ontario law firms have agreed to participate for three years (2009-2011) and to:

• maintain statistical data on the gender of lawyers in the firm,
• “review their existing written policies on maternity, paternal and adoption leave and flexible work arrangements”,
• share information on networking and business development opportunities for women, and
• eventually (2011) “develop strategies to enhance women?s participation in the leadership of the firm.”

The think tank is an initiative resulting from the reports of the Retention of Women in Private Practice Working Group, the Final Consultation Findings of which are available online [PDF].

One is always hopeful for good and needed change… but I’m afraid I’m sceptical about the likelihood that this effort will produce much of anything of value for women in law, when, it seems to me, what’s wanted is a deeper examination of the way in which law is now practised by both men and women.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on October 14, 2008 (boomark / email).