VANCOUVER – The Justicia Project will launch in BC on November 20, 2012.
Developed by the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Justicia Project is a voluntary program for law firms to identify and implement best practices to retain and advance women lawyers in private practice. It was created in response to evidence that women leave the profession at a higher rate than men in the first 10 years of practice.
In BC, the project is being spearheaded by Gowlings law firm, on behalf of the Law Society of BC. On November 20, Gowlings will host a managing partners summit to introduce the first phase of the project. Participating law firms will commit to achieving goals in four areas:
Tracking gender demographics
Reviewing/introducing flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies
Adopting initiatives to foster women’s networking and business development
Promoting leadership skills for women
“Our aim is to bring firms together to share strategies and best practices,” said Bruce LeRose, QC, president of the Law Society. “Based on its success in Ontario, Justicia will help advance the Law Society’s strategic goal of supporting the retention of women lawyers.”
“We encourage law firms of all sizes to lend their support to this important project,” said Helena Plecko, associate at Gowlings. “We hope it will pave the way for systemic change in the legal profession that will address the realities women in private practice are facing.”
See the Justicia Backgrounder for more.
The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the more than 10,000 lawyers in the province, setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct that ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable legal profession.
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For further information or to arrange an interview contact:
Ben Hadaway
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
bhadaway@lsbc.org
Robyn Crisanti
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
604.697.5845
rcrisanti@lsbc.org