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• When Crisis Strikes: Learn from Failures that Made Headlines

  • When
    21 Jan 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    McMillan LLP Brookfield Place | 181 Bay St. Suite 4400 Toronto M5J 2T3
  • Spaces left
    55

  

  When Crisis Strikes: Learn from Failures that Made Headlines
  

  Join McMillan and Vantage on Wednesday, January 21st for an in-depth discussion on crisis management - what works, what doesn’t, and the critical mistakes you can’t afford to make.
  
  Our expert panel will explore classic crisis management failures to highlight common pitfalls that organizations face when navigating challenging situations. Drawing from their own experiences, the panelists will provide real-world examples that illustrate how poor decisions can escalate problems, damage reputations, erode stakeholder trust, and create legal and business complications that could have been avoided with proper planning and execution. The panelists will share strategic insights and practical approaches to help GCs respond with confidence and with the appropriate urgency to avoid the costly missteps that can compound a crisis.
  
  This session includes dedicated time for your questions, followed by a cocktail reception – the perfect opportunity to continue the conversation and connect with panelists and peers.
  
  Please RSVP by end of day January 12th.

  

  Date/Time: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET 
  
  Registration: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
  Panel Discussion: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
  Networking Reception: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  

  Location: McMillan LLP | Brookfield Place | 181 Bay St., Suite 4400
  Toronto M5J 2T3 (map)

  Panelists:
  

  

  Rachel Cooper
  
  Partner,
  Product Liability & Regulation
  McMillan
  
  

  Mitch Koczerginski
  
  Partner,
  Litigation & Dispute Resolution
  Privacy & Data Protection
  McMillan

  Guy Pinsonnault
  
  Partner,
  Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment
  McMillan
  
  

  

  
  Robyn Osgood
  
  Chief Executive Officer & Partner,
  McMillan Vantage

  For more information, please contact events@mcmillan.ca. Vancouver | Calgary | Toronto | Ottawa | Montréal | mcmillan.ca Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 4400, Toronto, ON M5J 2T3

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• When Crisis Strikes: Learn from Failures that Made Headlines

  • When
    21 Jan 2026
  •  
    3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual (Link to follow)

  Register

  

  When Crisis Strikes: Learn from Failures that Made Headlines
  

  Join McMillan and Vantage on Wednesday, January 21st for an in-depth discussion on crisis management - what works, what doesn’t, and the critical mistakes you can’t afford to make.
  
  Our expert panel will explore classic crisis management failures to highlight common pitfalls that organizations face when navigating challenging situations. Drawing from their own experiences, the panelists will provide real-world examples that illustrate how poor decisions can escalate problems, damage reputations, erode stakeholder trust, and create legal and business complications that could have been avoided with proper planning and execution. The panelists will share strategic insights and practical approaches to help GCs respond with confidence and with the appropriate urgency to avoid the costly missteps that can compound a crisis.
  
  This virtual session includes dedicated time for your questions.

  

  Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm ET / 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm PT

  Location: The link to join will be shared once you RSVP to attend.

  Panelists:
  

  

  Rachel Cooper
  
  Partner,
  Product Liability & Regulation
  McMillan
  
  

  Mitch Koczerginski
  
  Partner,
  Litigation & Dispute Resolution
  Privacy & Data Protection
  McMillan

  Guy Pinsonnault
  
  Partner,
  Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment
  McMillan
  
  

  

  
  Robyn Osgood
  
  Chief Executive Officer & Partner,
  McMillan Vantage

  For more information, please contact events@mcmillan.ca. Vancouver | Calgary | Toronto | Ottawa | Montréal | mcmillan.ca Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 4400, Toronto, ON M5J 2T3

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• Women's Law Association of Ontario (WLAO) - Pathways to Leadership for Women in Law

  • When
    22 Jan 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual (connection details will be shared upon registration)

  
  

  Join the Women’s Law Association of Ontario for an engaging virtual panel exploring the diverse paths to leadership within the legal profession. This session will feature accomplished women leaders sharing insights from their careers, lessons learned, and perspectives on advancing into leadership roles across private practice, in-house counsel, and public service.

  Date: January 22, 2026
  Time: 4:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m EST
  Format: Live Virtual event

  Meet Your Panelists:

  Anaar Dhanji, Assistant General Counsel and Director, Third Party Management, Capital One

  Kristin Taylor, Managing Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

  Jane Mallen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Negotiations and Reconciliation Division, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation

  Moderated by: Fariya Walji, Vice-President of the WLAO, Co-Founder of Creative Learning Strategies

  This program is ideal for law students, licensing candidates, and lawyers at all stages who are interested in leadership development, career progression, and hearing from women shaping the future of the legal profession.

  Accredited EDI:

  This program contains 0 hour(s) and 30 minutes of Professionalism Content.
  This program contains 0 hour(s) and 20 minutes of EDI Professionalism Content.

  Register Now

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• WGCC Networking Circles - January & February 2026

  • Start
    28 Jan 2026
  •  
  • End
    5 Feb 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    9 sessions
  • Location
    Virtual (access details to follow)

  WGCC Networking Circles
  Invitation: January & February 2026

  WGCC Leadership Series: “How to be Humble Loudly – Elevate Your Impact with Authenticity”

  The WGCC Networking Circles have been thoughtfully crafted to facilitate the discussion and exchange of ideas and insights among WGCC members, with a particular emphasis on legal leadership and professionalism and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). These small, informal groups offer an invaluable opportunity to forge connections with other WGCC members, expand your professional network and support system as you navigate the complex challenges that arise in legal executive roles. 
  
  BONUS: This Networking Circle will be submitted for accreditation by the Law Society of Ontario. Details to follow.

  Date and Time: WGCC Networking Circles are 60 minutes long and are scheduled as follows:

  
  

  How to Sign up:

  • Send an email to info@womengc.ca indicating which circle you wish to attend, if you can attend more than one time slot, please indicate all that you can attend, along with your preferred time, so that we may adjust the attendees if necessary.
  • Sign up early to avoid disappointment – but no later than 12:00 EST on Friday January 23rd.
  • Once you sign up, ensure to “HOLD” the time/date in your calendar.
  • You will receive a calendar invitation and email containing the call-in information and materials for your chosen circle.
  • Please note that a scheduled Circle may be cancelled if interest is low for that time.

  Directions for Attendees:

  • Note that Chatham House Rules apply to all WGCC Networking Circles.
  • Accept the calendar invitation from your WGCC Networking Circle Lead with the Circle details (Zoom/Teams) (you will get it soon, if you have not already received it)
  • Review the Circle Material – you do not have to review all Circle Material – it is the same theme, just browse until you find something that interests you (if you do not have time to review materials, STILL ATTEND you will still get valuable insight from the discussion
  • On the day of the Circle please sign in using the invitation from your Circle Lead and please be sure to turn on your camera for maximum participation – your Circle Lead will start the discussion.

  Circle Topic: WGCC Leadership Series: "How to be Humble Loudly - Elevate Your Impact with Authenticity"
  

  Start the year with an empowering conversation on “humble loudly”—a leadership approach that blends humility with visibility. Women in General Counsel roles often face the challenge of ensuring their contributions are recognised without appearing self-promotional. This interactive session will provide practical strategies to advocate for yourself, amplify your team, and communicate achievements in ways that demonstrate organisational value while remaining authentic.

  In today’s cost-conscious environment, legal departments are under pressure to “do more with less” and are often perceived as cost centres. Demonstrating impact is essential—not through arrogance, but by making your work visible and meaningful. Together, we’ll explore how to celebrate achievements, reframe challenges as learning opportunities, and strengthen executive presence.

  By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Understand the principle of “humble loudly” and why it matters for women leaders in senior legal roles.
  • Learn practical techniques to showcase impact without compromising humility, including framing achievements in terms of organizational outcomes.
  • Explore strategies for self-advocacy and influence, ensuring visibility in executive and board-level conversations.
  • Discover ways to amplify others while reinforcing leadership credibility, fostering trust and collaboration.
  • Gain actionable insights to overcome visibility challenges and strengthen executive presence.

  Circle Materials:
  

  We anticipate a dynamic discussion as we draw on the collective experience of all attendees to reflect on their approaches and exchange best practices. To facilitate this, we have structured this Circle uniquely. The Sub-Topics/Discussion points outlined below are intended to guide the conversation, from which we believe attendees will gain significant value. We encourage everyone to share their best practices, insights, and even less successful experiences. 

  Sub-Topics/ Discussion Points:

  Embrace the Dual Role: Legal Expert and Strategic Leader.  Modern GCs are no longer just legal technicians—they are strategic business partners. This means:

  • Translate legal advice into business impact: Frame recommendations in terms of risk mitigation, growth, and value creation.
  • Expand your remit: Many GCs now lead on ESG, cybersecurity, and governance initiatives, which enhances influence and visibility.

  Build Executive Presence and Influence. Executive presence is about gravitas, communication, and authenticity:

  • Communicate with clarity and confidence: Use intentional language that reinforces your leadership brand.
  • Lead decisively but authentically: Balance authority with approachability—avoid the trap of being perceived as a “blocker” rather than an enabler.
  • Strategic stakeholder mapping: Identify key influencers in the C-suite and board, and nurture those relationships proactively.

  Advocate for Yourself - Women leaders often face visibility challenges. To counter this:

  • Share achievements in a way that highlights team success and organizational impact.
  • Use executive forums, such as board meetings or leadership sessions as opportunities to articulate your strategic vision and highlight contributions.

  Set Boundaries and Avoid Overcommitment:

  • Women GCs often face pressure to “do it all.” Key practices:
  • Limit office housework: Politely decline tasks that don’t advance strategic goals.
  • Plan breaks and maintain routines: Sustaining energy is essential for resilience and effectiveness.

  Champion Diversity and Inclusion. Integrate EDI principles into leadership decisions:

  • Women leaders often face undervaluation of their contributions. Humble loudly helps counter this by assertively showcasing impact, while DEI strategies dismantle structural biases that limit recognition and advancement. Together, they create a culture where achievements are celebrated equitably, and leadership is inclusive by design
  • Align legal strategies with organizational DEI goals.
  • Ensure inclusive practices in resource allocation and team management.

  Network with Purpose both Internally and Externally:

  • Build a trusted network of advocates who amplify your voice when you’re not in the room.
  • As a senior leader, actively participate in internal executive networks and strategic forums to strengthen influence and share expertise. These platforms offer opportunities to mentor emerging leaders, advocate for organizational priorities, and contribute to initiatives that shape the company’s future direction.
  • Join leadership-focused communities like WGCC to access mentorship, advocacy, and board-readiness programs.

  Don’t Wait! Sign up today!
  Info@womengc.ca

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