Business Leadership for Women Lawyers is a Program designed in collaboration with female lawyers and sponsoring law firms who are committed to advancing female legal talent and increasing organizational performance. Participants learn critical business skills necessary to develop a balanced, satisfying and authentic career – visibility, strategic networking, strong client relationships and leadership strategies.
Program Themes:
- Motivating Professionals
The knowledge-based and project-oriented nature of law requires a distinctive motivational profile and a unique approach to motivating and retaining high-performers. Participants gain a better understanding of the motivators that drive legal professionals and explore necessary leadership approaches to retain and develop top talent.
- Building and Leveraging Strategic Networks
Professional networks are a critical source of power, influence, and career success; however, women face unique challenges in developing networks. Participants gain a thorough understanding of the systematic differences between men's and women's networks and effective networking methods.
- Mastering Work-Life Balance: Building and Maintaining Resiliency
Workplace stress is at an all-time high, particularly in fast-paced, high-pressure work environments such as Law. Learning how to build and maintain resiliency is critical to both personal and professional success. Participants will benefit from research in the areas of stress, work recovery and work-life balance to discover effective and specific techniques and strategies.
- Business Development in Action
Participants will learn business development strategies using a unique, law-specific framework and field research that illustrates a number of successful tactics employed by men and women, and how to prioritize and intensify business development efforts. Small-group and full-group discussions allow participants the opportunity to learn from one another's experiences and perspectives.
Tiziana Casciaro >>
Academic Director, Business Leadership for Women Lawyers
Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and HR Management
Julie McCarthy >>
Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and HR Management
Tim Leishman >>
Managing Director, Firm Leader Inc.
The Rotman School of Management and the University of Toronto are grateful to Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Osler LLP who have contributed generously to the development of this Program, and for their commitment to the career success of Program participants.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Candidates for the Business Leadership for Women Lawyers Program are Senior Associates, rising Junior Partners who have been in practice for 5+ years post-bar and Patent Agents who require leadership, influencing, and management skills to progress within their firm.
APPLICATION FORM
Applications for the Spring 2020 session will open in the Fall of 2019.
APPLICANT SELECTION
Each application is reviewed by Rotman's admissions committee to ensure suitability of participants.
PARTICIPANT NOTIFICATION
If space is available and eligibility requirements are met, participants will receive a notice of admission within 10 days of receipt of their completed application. Applications will close once the Program is full.
PROGRAM FEE
$3,200*
Included:
- Tuition
- All program materials and supplies
- Completion certificate
- Class-day meals (breakfast, lunch and snacks)
- Networking Reception
*Program Participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
PAYMENT
Payment in full is required upon acceptance to the Program. The Program fee is due 30 days after receipt of invoice or 30 days before the start of the program, whichever is first. Payments can be made online. Applicants will be redirected to a secure online payment website after completion of the application form.
ALUMNI DISCOUNT
Rotman Initiative for Women in Business participants or Rotman MBA / EMBA alumni are eligible for a discount equivalent to 10% of the Program Fee.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please review the full version of our APPLICATION POLICIES >> for cancellation information.
TAX INFORMATION – EMPLOYMENT-RELATED TRAINING
If the Program is employment-related training, Rotman must receive a letter from the employer confirming that the Program constitutes such training within the meaning of Canada Revenue Agency Interpretation Bulletin IT-470R. Generally, the Bulletin states that where the training is taken for the benefit of the employer, there is no taxable benefit to the employee.
If the tuition fee is paid for by the employer, it is the employer’s responsibility to determine whether or not the fees paid on behalf of the individual is a taxable benefit and should be included on his/her T4 slip.
TAX INFORMATION – NON-EMPLOYMENT-RELATED TRAINING
If an employer has not sanctioned that the Program is being taken for employment reasons, any discounts are taxable benefits to the individual participant and should be included on the individual’s tax return.
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Stikeman Elliott LLP has been sending lawyers to Rotman’s Business Leadership for Women Lawyers Program since its inception. The program offers cutting edge content on a number of topics that consistently hit home with the SE participants, ranging from networking strategies and decision-making skills to different perspectives on communication and leadership skills. The program provides an exceptional foundation for business leadership, and the content is constantly evolving in response to new developments and ways of thinking. Our participants consistently come back refreshed and enthused. I would recommend the program to any female lawyers who are interested in professional growth and are looking for both valuable information and motivation."
- Shanin Lott, Managing Director, Talent and Professional Resources, Stikeman Elliott LLP
"The Program has been extremely well-received by women who have attended from our Firm. Women associates often contact me a year in advance requesting to be sent to the Program."
- Mary E. Jackson, Chief Officer, Legal Personnel & Professional Development, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP