THE VOICE OF THE PRACTICING LAWYER

Founded over 30 years ago, our members are the 46 local law associations (plus the Toronto Lawyers' Association), represented in every judicial district in Ontario.  These local law associations collectively represent nearly 12,000 lawyers who are in private practice in firms across Ontario. These lawyers and our member associations are on the front-lines of the justice system and see its triumphs and shortcomings every day. 

FOLA is a non-profit organization that advocates for a better justice system that recognizes the crucial role competent and professional lawyers play in that system.  

Formerly known as the The County & District Law Presidents' Association (CDLPA), in November of 2015, our members voted to change our name to the "Federation of Ontario Law Associations". 

We encourage you to engage with us in a dialogue on how to make our justice system even better.  

Chaired by Mike Winward, a partner with Mackesy Smye LLP (Hamilton, ON), our 2018-2020 Executive consists of 14 lawyers from all over Ontario, including 7 regional chairs and 4 committee chairs.  

For more information, please here or visit our About Us section.

Our Executive meets monthly and 2x per year our 47 Association Presidents and members of their executives convene at FOLA's biannual plenaries.

For more information on our Associations, please visit us here.

From backgrounders and updates to Submissions to the LSO and public advocacy communications, we have lots of information to keep you up to date on the issues and concerns facing lawyers in Ontario.  

We also have links to all Law Associations and Law Libraries in Ontario and, if you are not already a member of yours, we encourage you to join.

If it's events your looking for, please visit our events section and if you don't see your association's events, please email Katie Robinette at katie.robinette@fola.ca and we'll get that posted and help you promote it!

Over the coming year, FOLA will be building out a Wellness Resource section and we're looking for input.  If you have resources to add, please do contact us.

And finally, we are also planning to build out a members' only portal where you will be able to comment on submissions, access a mentor program, and coordinate joint CPD learning opportunities.  So stay tuned for updates!