Will Knows the Way – Re-elect Will McDowell for Bencher

March 9, 2023

William C. McDowell is running for re-election as Bencher with the Law Society of Ontario this year as part of the Bencher Good Governance Coalition, a group of experienced candidates who reflect the profession’s true values and diversity and are committed to returning competent good governance to the legal profession.

Will has 35 years of experience in the legal industry and was previously an LSO Bencher for eight years from 2011 to 2019. He has practiced with one of the largest firms in the country, served in Ottawa as Associate Deputy Minister of Justice for Canada, and is now a Partner at Lenczner Slaght, Canada’s leading litigation firm.

“Will has an excellent track record of success as both a litigator and a Bencher. I have no doubt that he will advocate for our interests as passionately as he does for his clients,” says Monique Jilesen, Managing Partner of Lenczner Slaght. “His knowledge, experience, and judgment make him the strong decision maker and leader that we need to deal with the difficult, and often controversial, challenges facing the legal profession today and in the future.”

Will’s previous experience as Bencher involved tackling some of LSO’s most difficult issues including:

• responding to the articling crisis through the creation of the innovative Law Practice Program;
• leading the Law Society’s relations with the federal and provincial governments as Chair of the Government Relations Committee and working with them to ensure new investment in Legal Aid and access to justice;
• serving on the Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Committee to reduce barriers and ensure a level playing field for all Ontario lawyers; and
• chairing the Professional Regulation Committee as they synchronized the Code of Professional Conduct with the new National Code of the Federation of Law Societies.

“I am proud to be running for election alongside the Bencher Good Governance Coalition to restore competent, experienced, and representative leadership at the Law Society of Ontario,” says Will McDowell. “I request your vote and urge you to vote for all the members of the Good Governance Coalition. Learn more about the coalition at www.goodgovernancecoalition.ca.”

Visit www.litigate.com/WillForBencher to learn more about what Will McDowell and the Bencher Good Governance Coalition stands for.