Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
Issue link: https://digital.carswellmedia.com/i/834783
42 LEXPERT MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 Franziska Ruf DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP MONTRÉAL Franziska Ruf is one of a handful of senior female partners in Montréal's top-tier cor- porate legal market. Franziska devotes her time, energy and resources to supporting the next generation of women lawyers and she's known for mentoring female associ- ates, several of whom have become part- ners. She supports opportunities for wom- en and serves on the board of Le Chaînon Foundation, a women's shelter. What dis- tinguishes her initiatives is that they are tangible, with immediate and long-lasting benefits. She's currently working with Mc- Gill's Faculty of Law, selecting female law students to attend the ABA's Business Law Section meeting. She's a member of the ABA's Women in M&A task force and the first female co-chair of the ABA's Interna- tional M&A Subcommittee. Franziska is listed in Chambers Global for Corporate/ M&A and in a long list of other rankings. Maria Scarfo BLANEY MCMURTRY LLP TORONTO Maria Scarfo has spent her entire career at Blaney McMurtry, becoming the first fe- male managing partner in 2013 and being unanimously reappointed in 2016. Maria's style is focused on mentorship and she de- velops talent by encouraging others to suc- ceed. A senior law professor called her one of the two best students with whom he had ever worked. Her great sense of humour, joining the firm, Suzanne has created one of the largest immigration practices in At- lantic Canada, also mentoring and training the firm's lawyers across Atlantic Canada in immigration law. She has served three terms on the firm's Halifax management team, which demonstrates the confidence, trust and respect of her partners. She has also served as the Professional Personnel Partner, a demanding role overseeing as- sociates. Suzanne has been named one of Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40 and selected as a Best Lawyer in Canada in Im- migration Law from 2013 to present. Tracy Ross ROYAL BANK OF CANADA TORONTO Tracy Ross is a Vice President in the R BC Law Group, heading global legal teams supporting capital markets and I&TS platforms and the Law Group operations team. Tracy is a proven thought leader on regulatory change around the world, such as OTC derivatives regulatory reform; and on evaluating the impact of world events, such as Brexit, on R BC's ongoing businesses. She's a highly regarded mem- ber of various capital markets industry associations. She has led integration of I&TS and capital markets legal support teams to improve efficiencies, ensure con- sistency of advice and leverage their ex- pertise. She leads the operations team in developing a learning council to meet all continuous professional development re- quirements; and launching pilot projects to improve R BC's matter-management metrics reporting. Tracy is also involved with the United Way Law Cabinet. honed by improv classes in university and performances at the aer-hours pub, along with her infectious laugh, contribute to her effective management style. As managing partner, she demonstrates daily how im- portant empathy and listening are. She has the ability to put people at ease and to make tough decisions and build consensus with- out antagonizing people. Maria has also been an outstanding litigator, successfully handling hundreds of claims. Muneeza Sheikh LEVITT LLP TORONTO Muneeza Sheikh practises labour, em- ployment, and human rights law and is of- ten referred to within the firm as a "pow- erhouse." Muneeza wants not only to practise law, but to influence change. She believes in helping employers shape prac- tices to protect their employees from eco- nomic, social and cultural displacement, and she regularly appears in the media to speak on important employment issues. She works to create a safe space for mar- ginalized and excluded minority groups to share their stories and gain a voice. She recently spoke at a conference supporting Muslim women's resiliency in the face of Islamophobia. She has attended several roundtables to speak on women's rights, equality in the workplace, diversity en- gagement and how women can learn to climb the corporate ladder. Muneeza is a board member and Director of Commu- nications for the Canadian Muslim Vote. | ZENITH AWARDS |