Coffee in the Times of COVID is a virtual gathering of small groups of young lawyers and/or law students around a topic of common interest, designed to facilitate social connection among the legal profession and give participants a chance to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on their personal and professional lives, as well as the areas of law that matter most to them.
Cohort Stream
Coffee in the Times of COVID is about building your legal network, knowledge, and community. The cohort stream will engage a group of up to 20 young lawyers and law students in regular bi-weekly sessions hosted by a team of lawyer-facilitators from a partner Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Registration is free for CBA members and participants must be available to participate in all five sessions in the cohort.
Thursday, October 21, 2021 - Thursday, December 16, 2021
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: Lawyering for the LGBTQ2SI Community
These 5 sessions will address issues commonly faced by LGBTQ2SI law students and recently-called lawyers, with the goal of increasing confidence and resiliency, as well as creating opportunities for mentoring and networking. Each session will focus on a specific topic, featuring a different guest speaker with lived experience who will share their expertise.
In collaboration with:
The CBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section
Sessions
Navigating the Job Application Process
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Applying for jobs as a student or recently called LGBTQ2SI person can add an extra layer of stress to an already stressful time. You may be worried about including work on your CV that may "out" you, or be concerned about how to navigate in-firm interviews and discussions about your personal life. In this session, we will talk about strategies for LGBTQ2SI law students and recently called lawyers who are navigating the job application process.
Facilitators: Hossein Moghtaderi, Jonathan Griffith
Coming Out at Work
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
The choice to come out at work can be a complicated one. Job security, safety concerns, and a need for privacy are all legitimate issues that often make it very hard for LGBTQ2SI lawyers and law students to fully be themselves at work. We will discuss how to approach coming out at work for the first time, as well as how to approach all of the subsequent times you may have to come out to new colleagues, support staff, clients, and others.
Facilitators: Barton Soroka, Dennis Frawley, Kym Sweeny
Queering Dress for Success
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Gender expression for LGBTQ2SI folks is intimately tied up with how we dress and present ourselves to the world. Balancing the need to look professional at work and in court while still looking like *yourself* can be tricky. In this session, we will strategize how to approach expressing yourself through fashion in different professional settings, including the workplace, at networking events, in client meetings, and in court.
Facilitators: Barton Soroka, Lisa Nevens, Will Randall II
Small Town vs. Big City
Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Many LGBTQ2SI folks choose to live and work in larger cities, perceiving them to be safer and with more community connections. But what if you prefer a more rural lifestyle, want to work where you grew up, or otherwise aren't able to live in large urban centres? In this session, we will discuss both the challenges and advantages for LGBTQ2SI lawyers in small town settings.
Facilitators: Dustin Klaudt, Jonathan Griffith, Kate Campbell, Margaret Cissell, Myron Plett
Finding Your Community
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Creating a network with LGBTQ2SI law students and lawyers is essential for professional and personal success. In this session, we will explore the business case for forming networks within your community, as well as the personal and social benefits, and discuss strategies for building and maintaining a diverse professional network.
Facilitators: Jonathan Griffith, Kyla Lee
