Women in Law Leadership
Academy

 

 

Program Vision: To accelerate equity, diversity, and inclusion in the legal industry and empower women in law to lead from every seat and at every stage of their career

Women in Law Leadership is a Canada Not-for-Profit Corporation dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in the law through recognition and education. Its roots date back to 2009 with the creation of the Women in Law Leadership Awards, co-founded by The Counsel Network and the Association of Women Lawyers. Since then, the organization has expanded the WILL Awards across the country.

Women in Law Leadership, in partnership with the University of Calgary Faculty of Law and the Law Society of Alberta, is pleased to present a leadership education program for women lawyers.

Program Details

Dates: Closed. Stay tuned for more details!

Faculty

Lead Instructors:

Kyla Sandwith is a lawyer turned legal operations consultant. She is the founder of De Novo Inc. and helps clients streamline their operations for better financial results, and happier lawyers, team members, and clients. Kyla is also passionate about developing the next generation of professionals and teaches Leadership for Lawyers at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Her course approaches leadership as a lifelong journey and focuses on active development of the foundational skills that support good leadership over the long term. Kyla received her LL.B from the University of Alberta in 2000, and her Masters Degree in Law Firm Management from the George Washington University in 2014. Kyla is a fellow of the College of Law Practice Management.

Dr. Nadia Delanoy is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Project Manager at the University of Calgary, Werklund School of Education; she teaches across graduate and bachelor studies. After completing her MBA she started a consulting company in 2006, focusing on change leadership in the areas of IT/ET, strategy development and implementation, as well as professional learning and educational program development. Nadia plays a key leadership role as President of the Walden Fulbright Board which focuses on national and international advocacy with initiatives that include educational development in Haiti and bilateral supports for veterans across Canada and the United States. Dr. Delanoy’s career straddles education, business, and IT with her research areas spanning big data and social media analytics for agile and innovative business practices, leadership development, assessment, and literacy interventions.

Coach in Residence:

Amy Binder is a lawyer turned certified executive coach. She has worked as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Appeal and for a global law firm as Legal Talent Director and Engagement Strategy & Culture Director. Amy has a Masters in Legal Education and her areas of expertise include lawyer training and development, employee engagement, executive coaching, and leadership development.

Additional Faculty will include senior women Justices, CEOs, VPs and GCs in industry, academia, and government.

Speakers:

  • Susannah Alleyne, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Counsel and Equity Ombudsperson, Law Society of Alberta;
  • Justice B.L. Bokenfohr, Alberta Court of King’s Bench;
  • Cori Ghitter, KC, Deputy Executive Director and Director, Policy and Education, Law Society of Alberta;
  • Sandra Hawes, KC, Western Canadian Managing Partner, Miller Thomson;
  • Koren Lightning-Earle, Legal Counsel, Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge;
  • Justice Julie Lloyd, Alberta Court of Justice;
  • Elizabeth Osler, KC, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Law Society of Alberta;
  • Kathryn Oviatt, Chief of the Commission and Tribunals, Alberta Human Rights Commission;
  • Heidi Schubert, KC, Executive Director and Registrar, Court of Appeal of Alberta;
  • Sameera Sereda, Chair, Women In Law Leadership;
  • Deena Venkatraman, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel, Finning International Inc.; and
  • Dale Wispinski, CEO and Chief Appeals Commissioner, Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation.

Who Should Attend: Women* lawyers in leadership or those aspiring for a leadership role.

*This program is for all cis and trans women, and non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres on the experiences of women.

Participation: This is a highly collaborative program where participants share and leverage each others knowledge and build a network of support. To achieve full program value for all participants, it is critical to engage fully and attend the full program in person. Due to the often sensitive nature of group discussions, virtual attendance cannot be accommodated. Certificates will only be awarded to those participating fully in the program.

Program Fee: $4,500.00, Includes tuition, program materials, meals, and completion certificate.

  • Deposit: A registration deposit of $250 will be charged at the time you submit your application. If your application is accepted, the deposit will be credited towards the program fee. If we are unable to accept your application, the registration deposit will be refunded to you. 

  • Early Bird Rate: The fee will be reduced to $3,750.00 for those who apply by March 15, 2024 and make payment in full by April 8, 2024. 

  • Sole practitioner/Government/Non-Profit Rate: Registrants in any of these categories are eligible for the reduced rate of $3,500.00. The early bird rate for lawyers in this sector is $3,000.00 for applications received by March 15, 2024 and if payment is received by April 8, 2024. 

  • Financial Assistance Available: A limited number of subsidized program fees are available based on financial need. Please fill this form.

Participation: This is a highly collaborative program where participants share and leverage each other’s knowledge and build a network of support. To achieve full program value for all participants, it is critical to engage fully and attend the full program in person. Due to the often sensitive nature of group discussions, virtual attendance cannot be accommodated. Certificates will only be awarded to those participating fully in the program.

Application Deadline:
Early bird deadline March 15, 2024
Final deadline April 8, 2024 

Apply online here or by completing this form and emailing it to academy@womeninlawleadership.ca.

To pay for your full program fees click here.