Off The Tracks

In this episode we are joined by Karen Dyck. Karen’s exciting career has involved working in the public, private, non profit, and academic sectors in a mixture of practicing and non-practicing legal and law adjacent roles. In this conversation Karen shares all she has learned from her non-linear career path, and we discuss the human and private experiences professional resumes are not structured t...

In this episode, we are joined by Lindsay Traves and Charlotte McGee. Lindsay and Charlotte are both Senior Legal Recruiters at Shopify. Lindsay previously worked in sales and sports marketing, and later practiced as a lawyer in insurance defence. Charlotte previously worked at a record label, and later practiced law at a boutique wills, estates, and capacity litigation firm. In our conversation,...

In our first non-series based episode of season 2, we are so excited to be joined by Rachael Kwan. Rachael works as a Senior Manager in the Competition Law Compliance Program at Scotiabank. Prior to the role, she was a litigation lawyer and worked in the non-profit sector. In this episode we soak up Rachel’s “big sister Virgo energy” as she dishes insightful advice about her alternative path to pr...

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Clarke as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series, Second Life. Samantha is an award winning International wedding and portrait photographer, business coach, educator and mentor. Prior to founding her photography business, Samantha worked in the clinic system in the areas of employment and disability law. In this episode we discuss how Samantha j...

In this episode, we sit down with Kier Munn as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series, Second Life. From bartending, to working as a refrigeration and airconditioning mechanic, to being a lawyer; Kier’s career has taken many twists and turns. He currently works in the provincial public service at the Office of the Worker Advisor and as a part time instructor in occupational health and sa...

In this episode, we sit down with Olympian Tugba Karademir as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series, Second Life. Originally from Turkey, Tugba moved to Canada when she was twelve to pursue her athletic craft as a figure skater. She went on to compete at the highest levels, at 8 Worlds competitions and 2 Olympics, and coach athletes to success at national and international levels. In 20...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Tonge as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series, Second Life. Peter is a former public servant and retired criminal defence lawyer. Currently, Peter runs a consulting business that specializes in disability and inclusion issues, is a podcast host, and is the Executive Director of the Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association. In this episode we discuss...

We’re back! We are so excited to be launching season two of Off the Tracks with a brand new series. Michelle Thompson joins us as the first guest of our Second Life series. This series explores the stories and insights of people who began legal careers and later transitioned away from law, and also those who had full careers prior to becoming lawyers. Michelle transitioned away from practicing law...

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, rape, and experiences interacting with police. If any of these topics are triggering for you, we encourage you to forgo listening to this episode. To find crisis support in your region (within Canada) please visit: https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/ . In the season finale of Off the Trac...

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Service available 24/7/365 by calling 1-833-456-4566. In this episode, we sit down with Anisha Nag, a law student at Osgoode Hall and a summer student at Erin’s law firm, Erin O’Rourke Law. We discuss how Anisha came to attend law school on a part-time basis, the f...

This week, we are holding space to bear witness and mourn the 215 children whose remains were found at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. In lieu of the episode we planned to release this week we released this short episode with links to important educational resources, podcasts hosted by Indigenous creators, and organizations to donate to. If it is within your...

In this episode, we sit down with Braden Lauer, a franchise and corporate commercial lawyer in Vancouver. In 2020, Braden joined the newly founded firm, macushlaw. The firm’s tag-line is “law with a pulse,” and we wanted to learn more about what this means to Braden. In addition to practicing law, Braden is the co-founder of a franchise consulting business, as well as the Chief Legal Officer of a...

It’s our birthday! In this episode, we sit down and discuss all that we’ve learned in the past 12 months. Erin talks about doing things that scare her, Piper dives into feeling old and young at the same time, and we discuss our favourite parts of doing this podcast. For our birthday, we hosted a fundraiser workout class led by Alessia Scauzillo, the creator of one of our favourite workout platform...

For the final episode of our debt series (for now!) we sat down with the multitalented Sukhpreet Sangha. Sukhpreet is a lawyer, artist, and educator. After beginning her career as a criminal defence lawyer, she later transitioned to working at a community legal clinic where she practiced poverty law. Now, Sukhpreet works at a non-profit organization where she teaches law to newcomer public high sc...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Hernaez as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series about law school debt. Jeff is an associate at Lawson Lundell LLP in Vancouver. We discuss rolling separate loans into one repayment plan, how law school debt impacts career decisions for years to come, taking a hybrid approach of paying off debt and simultaneously building savings, and grand prize m...

In this episode, we sit down with Elsa Ascencio as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series about law school debt. Elsa is a workers’ rights lawyer based in Toronto. She is the proud daughter of Salvadoran refugees and being raised in a low income community. We discuss what drew Elsa to workers’ rights law, the intersections of mental health and student debt, the financial cost of seeking...

In this episode, we sit down with Glynnis Hawe as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series about law school debt. Glynnis is a fourth-year associate at Paliare Roland LLP, a mid-size litigation boutique in Toronto. We discuss paying off approximately $150,000 in student debt, the price of law school tuition, the psychological effects of monstrous debt, feeling “behind” in life due to law s...

In this episode, we sit down with Sherifa Hadi as part of a continuation of Off the Tracks’ series about law school debt. Sherifa is a lawyer, legal researcher, a vocal advocate for accessible education, and works in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We discuss the lack of education about the actual financial costs of law school and a legal career, having multiple applications for studen...

This episode marks the beginning of our series about law school debt. Throughout this series, we will be speaking with lawyers who have had a variety of diverse experiences with law school debt. In this episode, we sit down with Karly Lyons. Karly is currently completing the lawyer licensing process in Ontario and is the co-founder and director of Legal Listening, a Canadian Law Blog Award (CLAWBI...

In this episode, we sit down with Leah Klassen, Associate at Wolseley Law in Winnipeg. The tag-line at Wolseley Law is “doing law differently,” and Leah has been embodying this ethos since she graduated law school. From holding a role in Pro Bono Students Canada’s (PBSC) national office, to articling with the Legal Help Centre of Winnipeg, working in family and fertility law in the GTA, and now wo...

In this episode, we sit down with Odelia Bay and Ilia Sumner, to discuss the Canadian Association of Lawyers with Disabilities (CALD). The goal of this new organization is to connect lawyers and other legal practitioners from across Canada, both persons with disabilities and those who are allies, to create a network for community building and advocacy. We discuss the stigma associated with disabil...

In this episode, we sit down with Litsa Dantzer, the founder of Canada’s largest legal career community, Law Job Exchange. A law grad herself, Litsa transitioned into a career as a legal recruiter; she currently works at Shopify in Talent Acquisition and runs a legal career coaching service outside of business hours. We discuss why it’s useful to see a financial advisor even when you have little t...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Off the Tracks! In this episode, we briefly introduce ourselves, the podcast, and the conversations we hope to share with you in the future. We talk about the role that brought us together, our shared birthday, and how we envision a career off the tracks. Follow us on Instagram @offthetrackspodcast, check out our website offthetrackspodcast.com, or connect with...

Hi! We're Erin and Piper, we're friends navigating life and the legal profession together, in our own way. This passion project grew out of asking each other the question “what does it look like to do law differently, and what does that even mean?” Off the Tracks will host guests bi-weekly as we explore all of the diverse ways to practice law (or not!), be a lawyer, and stay true to your authentic...