1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

From the Bench: Perspectives from Women Judges on Progress, Change and the Future of Justice

The Women Lawyers Forum of the Canadian Bar Association is pleased to propose a half-day symposium featuring members of the judiciary who have been profiled through the Madam Justice Project. This 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.

The program will be structured as a half-day event comprised of three panel discussions, each approximately 45–60 minutes in length. Panels will feature judges associated with the Madam Justice Project and will be designed to encourage thoughtful discussion and audience engagement.

A more detailed agenda, including panel topics, speakers, and moderators, will be developed and submitted once judicial participation has been confirmed.

Speakers

The Honourable Avvy Yao-Yao Go, Federal court of Canada, (Ottawa, ON)
The Honourable Julia Shin Doi, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, (Toronto, ON)
The Honourable Anna Loparco, Alberta Court of King's Bench, (Edmonton, AB)

Moderator:

TBA