For a second year in a row and in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), the WeirFoulds Women Committee invited every person at WeirFoulds to submit a nomination to recognize the contributions of women at the firm. Nominations flooded in for women from all areas of the firm – partners, associates, students, law clerks, legal assistants and business services staff.
The committee reviewed the submissions and selected six women (each from different areas of the firm) who exemplify the #EachForEqual theme of this year’s IWD celebrations, and announced them to the firm in a daily newsletter leading up to IWD. This award process celebrates the talented women who work tirelessly to deliver excellent client service and to create a welcoming and supportive work environment.
Recipients were also invited to a meet-and-greet and book signing with our special guest – The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin – who joined us for our firm-wide IWD celebration lunch on Monday, March 9, 2020. Justice McLachlin spoke to us about her second book, Truth Be Told: My Journey Through Life and the Law, which offers an intimate and revealing look at her life, from her childhood to her career on the Supreme Court and the challenges she overcame as she helped to shape the social and moral fabric of the country.
Justice McLachlin is the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and the longest-serving Chief Justice in Canadian history. From 2000 to 2017, she presided over some of the most prominent cases in the country – decisions involving Charter challenges, same-sex marriage, Indigenous rights, and euthanasia. In 2019, Justice McLachlin became a Companion of the Order of Canada.
We were honoured to have Justice McLachlin join us to celebrate IWD.
WeirFoulds actively participates in and promotes programs aimed at improving and celebrating diversity within the legal profession and the broader business community.
Cathrina, Legal Assistant
Cathrina is relatively new to WeirFoulds but has made an immediate impact. She is described as a “stellar legal assistant who goes above and beyond for the lawyers she works with, as well as her colleagues in the litigation department”. Cathrina embodies WeirFoulds’ spirit of delivering excellence to clients and fostering a supportive environment with her colleagues across departments.
Kim Campbell, Law Clerk
Kim Campbell never stops smiling! She is described as being an “inspiration to the law clerks around her and dedicated to continuous improvement”. We are told that simply put, the Commercial Litigation Group could not function without Kim. Kim brings value to the firm on a daily basis and is always contributing to the ways in which we can improve our client service.
Nadia Chiesa, Partner
Nadia Chiesa marked a career milestone this year when she joined the WeirFoulds LLP partnership in January 2020. Nadia is known for both her important contributions to the firm as a fearless advocate for her clients and as a thoughtful colleague. Nadia is described as being “unfailingly generous” in dedicating her time to training and mentoring colleagues through informal and formal channels. She is always happy to volunteer in the community, most recently as a mentor for the upcoming GEM (Girls E-Mentorship) event being hosted by WeirFoulds Women to inspire high school and law school students in our community.
Megan Mah, Associate
Megan Mah is a talented lawyer and a mentor to many. Megan represents clients in human rights disputes and employment disputes, helping clients navigate what is often an extremely stressful and personal ordeal. She still finds time to organize and assist with events in the firm and community on a regular basis. To quote one of Megan’s nominators: “Megan seems to be involved in so many firm initiatives and efforts that it seems like she has a twin.” Megan’s colleagues easily agree that the level of contribution she brings to the firm and community at large is “incredibly impressive”.
Karen Robertson, Supervisor, Legal Support Services
Karen Robertson is described as someone who makes a positive impact at WeirFoulds on a daily basis. She is always willing to help with any kind of document emergency all while having a positive attitude. She is plainly put, a “problem solver”, and does what it takes without ever taking any credit.
Aashima Singh, Associate
Since 2017, Aashima has been a welcome addition to the firm’s Securities Practice Group. She is described as being “smart, conscientious, always positive” and “wise beyond her years”. Despite her busy schedule, Aashima remains well-grounded and strives to lead a balanced life between work and family, inspiring those around her to look at their own lives and follow by example. Her colleagues in the Securities Group say that they “would be lost without her!”
