MEA Forensic’s Andrea Wadsworth and Jahvanna Ryan attend the Canadian Defence Lawyers (CDL) Women’s Caucus Annual Luncheon on June 3, 2026, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto. The annual event brings together legal professionals for an engaging discussion on topics affecting women in law, with opportunities for networking and professional development.
This year’s program features speakers Beth Beattie, Senior Counsel with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General; Courtney Wilson of Rachlin & Wolfson LLP; and Yadesha Satheaswaran, Assistant Crown Attorney with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Drawing on experiences from both public service and private practice, the speakers will share their professional journeys and discuss the realities of working in the legal profession today.
Moderated by Cynthia Aoki of Clyde & Co. and Elka Dadmand of Dolden Wallace Folick LLP, the luncheon will offer an open and thoughtful conversation about the challenges lawyers encounter throughout their careers, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of discussing issues that can be difficult but meaningful to the profession. All three speakers are contributors to the book The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in the Legal Profession, a collection of essays examining mental health and addiction within the legal community.