Linda R. Rothstein, LSM
Last year I had the privilege of serving as President of The Advocates’ Society. I had the opportunity to become engaged in the many challenges that confront our profession and the administration of justice, and to take steps to address those challenges.
I am particularly proud of our Skirting the Issues Conference which focused on the stresses facing women advocates and our efforts to create better mentoring opportunities for young women lawyers. Under my leadership, The Advocates’ Society also confronted some of the access to justice barriers created by complex and costly litigation procedures. We held a policy forum on Streamlining the Ontario Civil Justice System (Part
I, Part II), tabled a report on the issues, and worked with the Attorney General to create the Civil Justice Reform Project led by the Honourable Coulter Osborne. As a bencher, I anticipate being able to continue to work on these issues in a way that is meaningful for our whole profession.
I believe I have more to contribute to the profession. I have the energy and enthusiasm needed to do so.
There is so much to be done. The Law Society represents not only
barristers but also solicitors, some of whom feel disconnected from the work of the Law Society. Small firms, sole practitioners, and lawyers in government, in not-for-profit organizations, and in corporate legal departments, need the support of the Law Society to continue to thrive in a period of rapid technological and social change.
I practised happily in a large firm for much of my career and more recently in a small one. I have been lucky to travel frequently across the Province to meet
with local members of the Bar. In my public law practice and particularly as lead counsel for the City of Toronto at the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry, I
have come to know the many challenges which confront lawyers working in the public sector. I believe I have come to understand the problems lawyers face inside and outside of Toronto, in government, in large firms and in small ones.
If elected, I look forward to serving the profession.