The Her Impact, Our Progress campaign at Cochrane Sinclair was created to elevate the voices of women in law and spotlight their journeys in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Through a series of candid interviews, we explored themes of advocacy, resilience, and the fight for equity in the legal space. Four inspiring women, Shameem Koshi, Tiffany, Naomi Durda, and Danielle, shared their unique perspectives on navigating their careers, overcoming barriers, and shaping the future of law.
Their insights serve as a powerful reminder of how far we have come and how much work remains. Below, we break down the most compelling moments from each conversation.
Shameem: The Reluctant Litigator turned fierce advocate
Shameem’s journey into law was not conventional. Initially opposed to the justice system, she pursued a degree in Conflict Resolution Studies before eventually recognizing the power of advocacy in the courtroom. Her experience with Legal Aid exposed her to the struggles of underrepresented communities, particularly Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
“I quickly saw that people had a very tough time advocating for themselves. They didn’t have the right words, and I knew I could be a voice for them.”
Throughout her career, Shameem has championed equitable representation, emphasizing that lawyers must advocate for justice beyond the legal texts. Her reflections on the evolution of women in law highlight the changing expectations of female litigators and the importance of embracing different styles of advocacy.
“You don’t have to emulate men to be a great litigator. Women bring a holistic perspective to the courtroom, and that’s a strength, not a weakness.”
Tiffany: Breaking the chains of expectation
For Tiffany, her career has been a journey of unlearning and rediscovering her voice. Raised in a conservative environment where women’s opinions were not always encouraged, she found empowerment in the legal industry, not by changing who she was, but by embracing her authentic self.
“Women should have the choice to pursue careers, stay at home, or do both, but that choice should always be theirs.”
Tiffany has found immense strength in allyship and mentorship, crediting the women around her for pushing her to step into leadership roles.
“I used to think that education was the defining factor in my success. But the women in my life reminded me that I was already capable and powerful.”
She emphasized that empowerment is not about competition, but about lifting each other up, proving that collaboration is one of the most powerful tools for progress.
Naomi: The Power of representation
As an articling student, Naomi has had the rare privilege of working under a strong network of female mentors. Unlike the experiences of previous generations, she entered the legal field already seeing women in leadership positions, giving her a roadmap for success.
“It was never a question of whether I could do it, because I saw women ahead of me already doing it.”
Her story highlights the importance of visible representation. Seeing women in powerful positions creates a ripple effect, inspiring the next generation of female legal professionals.
Danielle: Defying the system and redefining success
Danielle is no stranger to the systemic challenges of the legal field. With unfiltered honesty, she tackled the topic of institutional bias, calling out the ways in which traditional legal structures have historically sidelined women.
“The patriarchy isn’t just a buzzword, it’s real. Women still have to work twice as hard to be recognized for the same level of competence.”
She also addressed workplace culture, advocating for the importance of policies that prioritize well-being over outdated expectations of burnout-driven success.
“The old model of ‘live and breathe your career’ is outdated. We need to redefine success in a way that allows women to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.”
What’s Next? The Path forward
Each of these conversations underscored a fundamental truth. Progress for women in law is not just about individual success, it is about reshaping systems to create lasting change. While significant strides have been made, there is still work to do.
As a firm, Cochrane Sinclair is committed to fostering an environment where women thrive, lead, and redefine the legal profession. But real change requires action beyond just one day of recognition.
Watch more highlights and get involved
We invite you to dive deeper into these stories. Watch more highlights of the full interviews in our YouTube playlist and join the conversation. Let’s continue amplifying these voices and shaping the future together.
