WiCCD participated as a partner organization this year, once again, in the Law Society of Ontario’s International Women’s Day Program with President Cassandra DeMelo providing some closing reflections.
The Paralegal Townhall with J.P. Rodriges and Justin Rochester led two wonderful initiatives, in which many WiCCD members, myself included, participated as well in commemorating this important day.
The first is a short 20 minute video – an edited compilation of women leaders talking about what IWD means to them and giving advice to younger women in the legal profession, or joining the bar, here:
The second is a full hour panel discussion about IWD with a cross-section of women lawyers, educators, paralegals and other legal professionals, and the conversation often turned to WiCCD
• Called to the Bar (1992)
• U of T Law grad (1990)
• Sole practitioner (33 years)
• Partner in small law firm (Hiltz Szigeti) 2002 - 2013
• Mom to two astonishing kids, Scarlett (20+) and Sebastian (20-)
• (Founding) Chair of Mental Health Legal Committee for ten years (1997 to 2007)
* Founding President of Law and Mental Disorder Association - LAMDA since 2017
* Founder and Secretary to Women in Canadian Criminal Defence - WiCCD - since 2022
• Counsel to clients with serious mental health issues before administrative tribunals and on appeals
• Former Chair, current member of LAO’s mental health law advisory committee
• Educator, lecturer, widely published author (including 5 text books on consent and capacity law, Canadian civil mental health law, the criminal law of mental disorder, a law school casebook and a massive Anthology on all things mental health and the law)
• Thirty+ years’ experience as counsel to almost exclusively legally aided clients
• Frequently appointed amicus curiae
• Fearless advocate
• Not entirely humourless
anitaszigeti 