Dear Beth…A Women in Law Podcast kicks off its premiere episode with feature guest Adrienne Forgeron of The Gentle Lawyer. Co-hosts Jen Quesnel and Leah Howie, co-editor of  "Creating a Seat at the Table: Reflections of Women in Law", sit down with Adrienne and explore the motivation that draws women towards the legal profession, and in some cases,  what ultimately drives them away. Through a thoughtful and reflective conversation, they'll also talk about the importance of ensuring one's career aligns with one's values, and not the other way around, how the most important marker of success is not what one has or has not accomplished, but rather, how our accomplishments make us feel, and lastly why we need to shift away from contorting ourselves to fit into the "box" that we so often associate with law and being a lawyer.

And in our letters segment, Beth Bilson, a fellow co-editor of the book, responds to a student who has concerns about ethical practice clashing with professional responsibilities. 

GUEST BIO:

Adrienne Forgeron, B.Comm., J.D. grew up in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan and achieved degrees in business and law from the University of Saskatchewan before taking a winding career path through private practice, in-house counsel, entrepreneurship, government and in the areas of law, professional photography, and healing arts. She is currently a business lawyer based in Saskatoon where she supports and empowers business owners to use the law in their favour when it comes to all things business protection, growth, and relationship management. She has a wonderful husband, Gregor, with whom she raises their two young children.

Instagram: @thegentlelawyer 

LinkedIn: Adrienne Forgeron

HOST BIOS:

Beth Bilson, KC, PhD has enjoyed a career of teaching, writing, deaning, arbitrating, and community engagement that began at the University of Saskatchewan in 1979, and she has never run out of interesting things to do.

Leah Howie, BEng, BSc, LLB, LLM lives in beautiful Saskatoon with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats. She loves reading, connecting people, travelling, and spending time outside on the prairies, in the mountains, by the river, and in the boreal forest. She enjoys thinking about ways to improve the law in her work in the area of law reform, and teaching and coaching law students as a sessional lecturer for the College of Law.

Brea Lowenberger, BA, JD, LLM is a lifelong learner and collaborator who hopes to leave the individuals and communities she interacts with a bit better than she found them. She is passionate about teaching and implementing design strategies that improve access to justice for Saskatchewan residents through her roles as Access to Justice coordinator, director of CREATE Justice, and sessional lecturer for the College of Law. When she isn't working, she enjoys adventures with family and friends, travelling, being active, nature, reading, and creating music and art.

PHOTO CREDIT: Adrienne Forgeron – Submitted

COVER ART: Hannah Jorgenson

REFERENCES:

"Women in Law: Quick Take" Catalyst, February 2023

https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-law/