How to combat fraudulent claims, avoid carriage disputes, and seek out mentors were just a few of the topics discussed during the three-day Women of Class Summit in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Approximately 40 women attended the second annual conference last month, co-sponsored by Epiq and McKenzie Lake Lawyers, to learn from class action industry experts and earn continuing professional development accreditation.
“The Women of Class Summit was once again a resounding success,” said Sabrina Lombardi, partner at McKenzie Lake. “It is a tribute to women shattering barriers and driving change in the legal profession. The summit provides a platform for all the brilliant female lawyers to engage in thought-provoking discussions and make meaningful connections.”
Conference-goers remarked about how powerful the panel sessions were, how well the learning and networking events were spaced throughout the day, and the camaraderie that was built upon from last year’s inaugural summit.
“I can't count how many times people came up to me and said this is by far the best conference of the year and the one they look forward to attending the most,” said Victoria Waciura, Epiq’s Vice President of Class Action and Mass Tort Solutions.
During the summit’s keynote address, Luciana Brasil, a retired partner at Branch MacMaster, discussed the importance of being prepared for events that could disrupt one’s practice. She stressed how critical an exit strategy is when a break from work is necessary, saying that work-life balance doesn’t refer only to one day, but to the course of a career.
Waciura spoke on a panel regarding how claims administrators combat fraud, and Tieya Lacroix, Director of Client Services at Epiq Class Action Services Canada, participated in a panel discussion about how to administer trauma-informed settlements. Other sessions highlighted the triumphs of female litigators in high-stakes class actions and how class actions can serve as a tool for social justice reform.
Throughout the summit, attendees networked while taking advantage of the outdoor activities in Banff, such as riding in a horse-driven sleigh across the snow, soaking in the nearby hot springs, skiing the exceptional local terrain, and walking through the woods surrounding the grand hotel.
“Attendees left feeling empowered, equipped, and ready to champion the next chapter of their careers,” Lombardi said. “The success of this year’s summit is a testament to the unstoppable force of the Women of Class.”
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