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it has 500 active members, 400 to 500 lifetime members, and 1,200 "friends and family" in its database including judges such as current Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Ontario Court Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo, and Heather Forster Smith, chief justice of the Ontario Superior Court. Pettie admits she understands why the existence of women's groups is questioned but says the reasons remain strong. "We honoured some of our founding members two years ago and the first president of the Association of Women Lawyers was saying, 'Isn't it unfortunate we still need these groups?' When they set this association up they thought in some utopia vision that it would no longer be needed," recalls Pettie. "I think it's always going to be helpful because women are different from men." Hendrikx says the dynamic conversations in a women's only organization touch on "mutually experienced challenges and successes." That includes how to make partner, achieve promotion, develop clients, and get noticed. The fact the association has evolved is what keeps it relevant, says Hendrikx. She thinks its longevity proves independent, stand-alone women's groups are useful and are important to women. "If women in the 1920s, 1950s, 1980s, 2000s had felt that it wasn't useful it would have disbanded and it didn't," she says. WLAO's events also include pub nights, discussions on how to hang out your own shingle, and talks on "So you want to be a judge or mediator." The AWL offers a mentoring program and raises awareness of options available to women in the field of law. But part of finding real success is letting others know what your goals are, says Pettie. "If you tell people what you want then they will help you," she says. "Socially women seem to have trouble asking for sponsorship whereas it's pretty natural for men and that may just be the way we have grown up and are wired. If you have those sponsors in the boardroom behind closed doors saying, 'Pick Sue because I know she can do this,' then Sue is going to get picked for the managing partner job. If she hasn't told anybody she wants that job or doesn't have a sponsor and there are two other candidates who happen to be men somebody will be in there saying, 'Joe or Tom can do this.'" Get help from those who can help In order for women to get what they want out of their careers they need to seek sponsorship from those who can help them get where they want to go. That may often mean seeking the assistance of men they work with. "If you don't have sponsors you're behind," says Pettie. "That's something both men and women need to be thinking about but we need to make sure women are thinking about it because they don't naturally think to do it." She admits similar opportunities would be useful for young men as well. "I don't know that they are really being delivered to them." Recently, Julia Shin Doi, general counsel at Ryerson University, approached WLAO about creating a group specifically for women general counsel. They plan to meet quarterly and there are already 20 members. "What I found was that women general counsel who are new to their roles would reach out to me to connect about new edition British ColumBia supreme Court rules annotated 2014 AllAn P. Seckel, Q.c., And JAmeS c. macInnIS British Columbia Supreme Court Rules Annotated 2014 delivers valuable insights on how to navigate the rules. Get expert commentary, case annotations and depth of content – providing relevant, time-saving perspectives with every issue. Also included − a convenient cd-ROm with all text and customizable forms. InCludeS the CRItICAl InfoRmAtIon you'll need to Apply the RuleS effeCtIvely: • • • order # 985306-65203 $96 Softcover + cd-ROm approx. 1875 pages October 2013 978-0-7798-5306-9 Annual volumes supplied on standing order subscription multiple copy discounts available Practice Advisor available on standing order subscription upon request Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. 28 Jan uary 2014 www.CANADIAN • • • Full text of the British columbia Supreme court Rules, Forms and Appendices expert commentary and case annotations for the B.c. Supreme court Rules Table of Substantially Unchanged Rules summarizing those pre-2010 Rules that remain substantially unchanged Supreme court Family Rules, Forms and Appendices court of Appeal Rules, Forms, and Appendices Other pertinent acts including Class Proceedings Act, Court Jurisdiction and Proceedings Transfer Act, Court of Appeal Act, Court Order Interest Act, Evidence Act, and Interpretation Act BonuS offeR foR StAndIng oRdeR SuBSCRIBeRS Get British Columbia Civil Practice Advisor, free with your standing order subscription, upon request. AvAilAble Risk-FRee FoR 30 DAys order online: www.carswell.com Call toll-free: 1-800-387-5164 L a w ye r m a g . c o m

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