From the retention of birth names after marriage to the permissibility of using a womans sexual history in assault trials, womens right activists and advocacy organizations have long used Canadas legal system to fight for gender equity. Despite achievements, the experiences of the women trying these landmark cases have often gone unheard: with persistent underrepresentation and gendered-wage gaps persisting across the legal field, there is still much progress to be made towards the way in which professional women are conceptualized and treated in comparison to their male counterparts. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, it is clear now more than ever, that a conversation is needed about how women are treatedboth by the law and in the law.

On February 14, the Hart House Debates & Dialogue Committee will host Marie Henein, one of Canadas most successful criminal lawyers, and the former defence counsel to Jian Gomeshi and Michael Bryant, in conversation with Kim Stanton, the Legal Director of the Womens Legal Education Fund LEAF.

Featuring:

Ms. Marie Henein Partner, Henein Hutchinson LLP

Marie Henein is one of Canadas most respected criminal lawyers, specializing in criminal defense. Henein Hutchinson LLP, the law firm which she is a partner at has taken on many high-profile cases. Henein earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School before receiving her Master of Laws degree from Columbia Law School in 1991. Her most notable cases include her defence of former CBC radio host, Jian Ghomeshi and former hockey agent, David Frost. She has been repeatedly named one of the top 25 most influential Lawyers in Canada, arguing at all levels of court including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Ms. Henein served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Law Commission of Ontario, and co-founded the Court of Appeals Appellate Duty Counsel. Henein was the recipient of the Laura Legge Award in 2013 and The Law Society Medal for outstanding service to the administration of justice in 2017.

Dr. Kim Stanton Moderator Legal Director, Womens Legal Education Action Fund

Kim Stanton is a Canadian lawyer, feminist advocate, and the Legal Director of the Womens Legal Education and Action Fund LEAF. She holds an LLB degree from the University of British Columbia and Doctor of Juridical Science degree from the University of Toronto, has dedicated her adult life to volunteer and professional work in human rights and social justice, including with the United Nations in the Gaza Strip, with the African Women Lawyers Association to address sexual harrassment in Ghana and providing support to a legal team on the Bosnia-Hercegovina genocide case before the International Court of Justice. She has served as an official observer of a truth commission in West Africa, and has published and lectured with respect to her academic work on truth commissions and public inquiries in Canada. Her legal practice has focused on constitutional and Aboriginal law; her academic work has focused on truth commissions and public inquiries.

For further information please contact Aceel Hawa, President of Hart House Debates & Dialogue at aceel.hawa@gmail.ca