Tanya Walker Declares Candidacy for Bencher Election

After acquiring practice experience, Tanya opened the Bay Street firm, Walker Law Professional Corporation almost five years ago. Tanya practices commercial litigation with a particular focus on property and franchise disputes.

Tanya graduated from McMaster University in 2002 with an Honours Commerce degree, minoring in Economics. She then attended Osgoode Hall Law School, graduating in 2005. She was called to the Bar in 2006.

Tanya has been honoured to have been recognized for her business, community and volunteer efforts. She received the Women’s Enterprise Woman of the Year Award in 2010, and the Young Entrepreneur Award in 2013. In 2014, Tanya was honoured to receive the Ambassador for Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation and the Women’s Federation for World Peace, organizations which are affiliated with the United Nations. Also in 2014, the National Bar Association recognized Tanya’s volunteer efforts with the Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service.

Tanya plays a leadership role in the Ontario Bar Association’s Franchise and Civil Litigation Executives. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association and the McMaster University Alumni Association. She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, the Black Business and Professional Association, the Advocates Society, the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association. In 2010, Tanya was appointed, then reappointed in 2012, as a part-time adjudicator with the Assessment Review Board. In this role she presides over property assessment disputes between the Municipality Property Assessment Corporation, municipalities and property owners.

Tanya hopes to apply her personal and professional experiences to the benefit of the Law Society, the legal profession, and the public at large. Tanya’s campaign focuses on the following existing and emerging issues:

Access to the Profession: The Law Society can help to address the difficulties faced by the newest members of the profession in obtaining employment by developing an online registry, similar to the Articling Registry already in existence, to match firms with candidates. Further, until a statistical analysis of the success of the Law Society’s Lawyer Licensing Process initiative has been completed, Tanya believes that the Law Society should refrain from accrediting any additional law schools.

Efficiencies in the Judicial System: The Law Society should advocate electronic initiatives in the Court system that will result in greater efficiency and reduce the usage of paper. By encouraging the courts in this manner, the Law Society will demonstrate a commitment to both reducing client costs and environmental responsibility.

Fiscal Prudence: Tanya is committed to maintaining Law Society fees at a moderate level by identifying efficiencies in the operations of the Law Society and by focusing on its core functions.

Diversity: Tanya strongly supports continued efforts to ensure that female and visible minority members of the profession are afforded the same opportunities as all members of the Bar.

Tanya is excited by the challenges of the future and believes that, as members of the Ontario Bar, we can work together to strengthen our profession and better serve the public.

To find out more information about Tanya’s campaign please visit her website.

View Tanya’s campaign video here.