17 www.lawyer-monthly.com Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2024 are able to meet the needs of others. When we speak to groups of women, our themes and messages tend to focus on making women feel heard and seen. We see YOU! Our themes and messages are ones that relate to what they may be going through, their fears and worries but also their joys and triumphs. What does it mean to be a woman in 2024. We draw upon our work and the experiences of our clients for subject matters of great interest and applicability, as well as from our own personal experiences. Being relatable is key! Other women want to know how I do it, how we do it. It is storytelling with a personal touch, allowing people into our worlds, both the glamorous side and the not-so-glamorous side. I will often ask my team for ideas and they are always quick to share. Being all of different ages and stages in life, we all have those topics that are important to us individually. Your commitment to community involvement and mentoring professional women is inspiring. Since our last discussion, can you share a standout moment or achievement in your community engagement that has been particularly meaningful to you? J. Donovan Law Group was nominated in late 2023 for a Fredericton business excellence award in the area of “Community Impact”. That nomination meant so much to me and my team. We made it to the final round with two very large organizations and ultimately did not win the award (but were still so proud nonetheless). It felt like a David and Goliath situation when compared to the other two organizations, but being in the running for a community impact award with them was a big achievement in and of itself. Little ol’ me and my team compared to an international company and a company with locations throughout Atlantic Canada was a win for JDLG all on its own. So, after I wiped away my tears, I smiled big, believing that the other two organizations likely believed that JDLG was a fierce competitor in winning that award. That moment at that award ceremony made me realize that not only do I know that we are impacting our communities in a very positive way, but so do our business peers, and that was a huge win regardless of no trophy. I wanted to win the award so badly, not just for me but for my whole team. I prayed for it. And in the process of not “winning” it, I received a much greater gift, the gift of confirmation of belonging high amongst those others who also give and give and give to their communities. Finally, as an influential woman in law, what advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the legal profession, especially in specialized areas like yours? I would encourage women aspiring to enter the legal profession to seek out a mentor. A mentor can be an invaluable resource for guidance, support and connections. Success in law requires connecting with your colleagues, team, clients, referral sources and other professionals. Working in isolation will not likely cut it. Get out and network. Attend events. Volunteer in your community. Go to court as an observer. Find a summer student placement at a firm of interest to you. Get to know as many lawyers as you can. Find one that resonates with your vision of how you want to be as a lawyer. Copy their style while you learn your own. Avoid doing what others believe you should. You alone are the only one who knows what will truly make you happy. Working as a lawyer can be so incredibly rewarding. If you find yourself not happy with what you are doing, stop and change it quickly. Don’t settle for anything less than being authentically happy. I am beyond happy with being a lawyer and don’t feel like I work at all. Doing what you love is not work. You can be highly successful and love what you do. At first, you will not have a clue what to do or where your career should go. Go with it at first until you learn more and more. Treat your clients like family and be relatable to them. And most importantly, remember that law is no longer an old boys’ club! Canada “Don’t settle for anything less than being authentically happy. I am beyond happy with being a lawyer and don’t feel like I work at all.”
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