Gravel le matin: Entrevue avec Daniel Weinstock
Radio-Canada. 17 septembre 2015
Daniel Weinstock, professeur à la Faculté de droit de l’Université McGill, réagit à la décision du gouvernement conservateur de contester en Cour suprême le jugement de la Cour d’appel fédérale ordonnant le maintien du droit de prêter serment à visage couvert.
Écoutez l’entrevue sur Gravel le matin…
Young transgender people in Quebec should be allowed to have their ID match their identity
Robert Leckey & Kimberley Manning. Montreal Gazette, September 8, 2015
During Quebec City’s Pride celebrations this past weekend, the province’s justice minister announced that it will soon be easier for transgender people to change their name or gender status on official documents. But even after this change, Quebec law will continue to impose discriminatory effects on trans people. This latest change is a significant step forward, but the road remains long — especially for young trans people.
The announced change eliminates the need for undergoing medical treatment or surgery to obtain a change of sex. It will be enough to satisfy other, less invasive criteria. The only requirement will be sworn statements by the individual and by another person who has known them for at least one year and who can attest that the applicant is serious about the request.
The change recognizes the discriminatory, indeed violent character of requiring surgery. It aligns with judgments from other provinces and with our evolving understanding of trans people’s rights.
Top female associates dish on life in Big Law
Precedent magazine. September 1, 2015
For its September cover story, Precedent magazine sat down with seven female associates at the Seven Sister firms, including, among them, Cassandra Brown, BCL/LLB’08 (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP), to discuss everything from the intense work hours, to the biggest stresses of the job, to keeping up with the firm dress code.
An excerpt:
How long is your typical workday?
I don’t really divide my day by ‘work’ and ‘non work’ time, because I always have my BlackBerry with me. If I’m at a movie and a client emails me and says, ‘I need you to get on a call,’ I just walk out and dial-in.
As a woman in law, what are the unique career challenges?
As an articling student, I felt like I was treated exactly the same as my male counterparts — gender was irrelevant. But the longer I stay in private practice, the more aware I am of the challenges female lawyers face. Just yesterday, I was at a client’s office from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. I don’t have children, but if I did, there would’ve been no time to pick them up from school. No time to help them with their homework. And yet, I need to work late nights once in a while to be the best lawyer I can be.
What’s more stressful — being a law student or being a young associate?
I don’t find the workload the most stressful part. It’s taxing, but what really stresses me out is when I think I’ve made a mistake. Because if you make a mistake, you have to let a partner know. Immediately. The worst thing to do is let the problem fester or try to hide it.