15 www.lawyer-monthly.com Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2024 How do you envision the Divorce Expo benefiting attendees, and what key resources or experiences will it offer? Firstly, by attending, guests will see that they are not alone. Separation or divorce can isolate people and undoubtedly affect their mental and physical health. Being around other people going through a similar life change or having already gone through a separation will hopefully create positive feelings of togetherness and comfort, or having someone to lean on, discuss with, and share tips for overcoming common issues. We have 25 vendors who have come on board with the same mindset of helping, informing and empowering people and families going through the end of a major relationship. The vendors will have booths where they will showcase their services and invite attendees to ask questions and discuss how they may be of service. Knowledge is power. Connections can be powerful. There will be keynote speakers as well, along with a panel discussion consisting of myself, my team members and professionals from other disciplines, who will address key issues that are common in most separations, with the focus being on how to arm and educate attendees with valuable information, resources and skills. The venue will be set up for an easy flow, with areas where people can relax and take it all in. Attendees can be as engaged as they want to be, from the attendee who wants to visit each vendor and has a long list of questions to the attendee who simply wishes to observe and take home pamphlets, books, and other written materials prepared specifically for the Divorce Expo. If someone leaves stronger than when they arrived, we will have succeeded in our mission. You’ve recently been chosen to star in a TV episode that showcases extraordinary New Brunswickers, which is quite an honor. What message do you hope to convey about the legal profession and your community through this opportunity? When I was first asked to star in the documentary, I thought it was a joke. I was skeptical at first but then quickly became excited to see what the opportunity was all about. Then, when I learned that it was not a joke but a real show that would air on TV and other channels, I was nervous! Me? Why me?! We have already spent a day filming and a camera crew is planning to attend to the Divorce Expo to gather more content and footage. No pressure, right?! By starring in the documentary, I hope to convey the message that lawyers are normal people too. We care, have large hearts, and strive to make our communities stronger. We are parents too and deal with a lot of the same problems that non lawyers do. Most of us had wanted to be lawyers from a young age, and the day we did become a lawyer is a day we will never forget. We care about our clients and when we win, we celebrate those wins, but when we lose, we hurt. I am from a small town, grew up in the country, where my bus ride to school was 45 minutes each way. I am a woman who has followed her dreams since day one and never gave up. I hope the documentary showcases just how relatable I am, how down-to-earth I am, and how much I love what I do. I hope my passion for being a lawyer is seen and felt by those who watch. I hope that by being featured, I inspire others to become lawyers or at least encourage them to follow their own dreams. If I am able to change one person’s negative perception about lawyers, then that will be a win for me. My authentic self is fun-loving, laid back, easygoing most times, with a huge heart and laugh to match. I hope by being my authentic self on the show that people see lawyers another way, as cool and fun, and easy to talk to. Like my law firm, I see myself as a nontraditional lawyer. I hope the audience agrees with me after watching. You continue to be a trailblazer, how do you see your role evolving in the next few years to continue inspiring female attorneys? I have a desire to start business coaching. How to run and manage a very successful law firm 101, or any business for that matter. I never saw myself as an entrepreneur before J. Donovan Law Group was born at the start of 2019. I thought I knew very little about running a business. I flourished very quickly in my new role as owner/operator of JDLG. More and more, I am being asked to speak to large groups about my business style and the keys to my success. Other women are now asking me how they can do it. Non lawyers are asking me for general business advice. I shine when I discuss business and ways to market and how to increase revenue and reach more clients. Not many women own law firms on their own and employ close to 25 people on their own backs. More women should, but it’s nontraditional! Again, I am nontraditional. I hope to become a bigger resource for other female lawyers, both for those on my team and off. Recently, I received an email from another female lawyer who I respect a great deal Canada
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