Background

After practicing law for a decade, Deborah joined the Law Society of Ontario’s Department of Education where she designed courses and licensing examinations for the Bar Admission Course. She then joined a national law firm where she was a partner and responsible for the professional development and management of its lawyers. 

In 2020, Deborah co-designed a graduate diploma for lawyers in Legal Services Management for Queen’s Law School.  

Deborah is an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content (Law Society of Ontario).

Credentials

Deborah’s professional qualifications include a diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, two Harvard Law School Mediation Certificates, a Certificate in Solution Focused Counselling from the University of Toronto, a yellow belt in Legal Lean Sigma, a certificate from Harvard Business School in “Teaching with Cases Online”, and in 2021 Deborah became a certified coach with the Waterstone Culture Institute.

Pro Bono

Current

  • Coach, Law Society of Ontario’s CAN (Coach and Advisor Network). Deborah has been selected by CAN to serve as a management coach for law firms.  
  • Project Abraham board member. Project Abraham is a non-profit organization committed to assisting Yezidi refugees resettle in Canada.
  • Coach, Law Society’s CAN (Coach and Advisor Network). In 2020, CAN wil Deborah has been selected by CAN to serve as a management coach.  
  • Project Abraham board member. Project Abraham is a non-profit organization committed to assisting Yezidi refugees resettle in Canada.

Past

  • Dispute Resolution Officer, Superior Court of Ontario
  • Member, Law Society’s Dispute Resolution Design Team 
  • Member, Law Society’s Justicia Committee 

Speaking Engagements

Deborah is regularly invited to speak at Ontario Bar Association and other industry programs. Here are some of her recent and upcoming speaking engagements.

  • Difficult Conversations (The Law Office Management Association, June 22, 2020)
  • Mastering Virtual Meetings: Best Practices (Ontario Bar Association, April 27, 2020)
  • The Virtual Mentor: Recalibrate and Reconnect (Ontario Bar Association, April 14, 2020)
  • Constructive Workplace Conversations: Embrace the Uncomfortable (Ontario Bar Association, December 10, 2020)
  • Being a Better Boss and Managing Your Team (Law Society of Ontario, June 10, 2021)
  • Return to Office Roundtable (The Law Office Management Association, June 22, 2021)
  • Legal Workforces in Transition (Ontario Bar Association, November 2, 2021)
  • Enhance Your Social Media Profile and How to do it Ethically (Ontario Bar Association, December 6, 2021)