Flip Your Wig

She is a shining example of why we should never judge a "book" by its cover. There's a lot more to this successful 33-year-old commercial litigator, and partner at WeirFoulds, than meets the eye. "I truly believe we're part of a profession," Hilary Book says categorically. "Law isn't just a business. We serve the public. If people aren't able to access justice and if they aren't able to get advice from lawyers in a timely way they can afford, it really undermines the role of the profession and the justice system in society." Book learned about her role in the community as a child growing up in Edmonton and Calgary. Her parents were always and still are extensively involved in volunteering where they live. "They've always just shown by example," she says. At her firm, Book leads the Women Lawyers Group and until January 2016, was co-chair of the Students Committee, where she and her colleagues are developing more inclusive recruitment practices. As a member of The Advocates' Society's Young Advocates Standing Committee, she sits on a diversity task force and has been looking at ways to streamline civil cases and make them more accessible. A long-time volunteer with Pro Bono Law Ontario, she works directly with clients through the Amicus Duty Counsel Program at the Ontario Court of Appeal. With full support of the firm, she encourages junior lawyers to follow her example and take on pro bono cases, and get involved in community organizations. "I've been working with PBLO almost since I started practicing," she says. "It's an immediate way to see what kind of a difference you can make for people who are floundering in the system. The work I do as duty counsel isn't high-profile work that's going to lead to big systematic changes. But for the individuals I help, I really do feel that it makes a difference." Hilary Book FLIP YOUR WIG 17

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