READ FOLA'S spring 2022 POST PLENARY REPORT!

Beth started her legal career as a student and associate in the litigation department of Fasken Campbell Godfrey. She was called to the bar in 1994.

Beth is currently Senior Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Law Division, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care Branch. Beth has a broad-based health law litigation practice and has expertise in the areas of human rights, forensic and civil mental health, OHIP eligibility, Coroner’s inquests, and long-term care home compliance. Beth has a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in alternative dispute resolution.

In 2002 Beth was diagnosed with bipolar disorder following a psychotic episode that led her to being hospitalized for two weeks at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Because of the prevalence of the stigma surrounding mental illness, she hid her illness for 14 years, telling only her family and closest friends about her condition. Given the stigma surrounding mental illness, Beth endured much angst at the thought that her colleagues, clients and opposing counsel would find out about her illness and hospitalization

In 2017 Beth made the decision to come out of the “mental health closet” and started speaking publicly. Since January 2018 Beth has been a Friend of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign. Her story of living and working with bipolar disorder has been featured on television, radio, print media and billboards across the country. Television appearances include The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News, CP24 and a CTV prime time special, “In Their Own Words”.

Beth is a founding member of the Voices for Mental Health which is a group of employees at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General who have lived mental health experience or have cared for someone who has lived experience. The Voices provide programming in the Ministry of the

Attorney General and beyond on topics relating to mental health. In 2019 the Voices were awarded the Deputy’s Award of Excellence, the highest honour awarded in the ministry.

Beth is a founding member and captain of The Bipolar Express, a team that raises money for a youth mental health program operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association. The Bipolar Express has been the top fundraising team in the country in the CMHA’s annual fundraising event Ride Don’t Hide (also called Mental Health in Motion) in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Beth has written articles for The Globe and Mail and Lexpert Magazine on the topic of mental health.

Beth has made presentations to thousands of people, primarily lawyers in the public and private sectors. She has made presentations at the majority of Canada’s 20 largest law firms. Beth has made presentations to all levels of government, schools, corporations and social clubs.

Beth is on a mission to help improve the lives of those living with mental illness as well those who care for them.

Jason Balgopal is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, and an Ontario lawyer, who was called to the bar in 1999. He has been practicing exclusively in criminal law since 2003, and has been an Assistant Crown Attorney in the Scarborough Crown Attorneys’ office since 2004. He has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario, and has conducted all manner of prosecutions, including murder trials and a dangerous offender application. 

He is a member of the Elder Abuse Consultation Team (EACT) in Toronto and has presented many times on the topic of Elder Abuse.  He is also a member of the Scarborough Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (HSJCC) which helps to coordinate the various services offered by different organizations to a diverse population. 

After a lengthy challenge with depression, and after getting to a better “head-space” for himself, he wished to give back to the community which had supported him. Thus, in 2015, he created the Mental Wellness Peer Support Groups, which have been operating continuously since in person, and are now (since COVID started) operating virtually through Zoom. The groups offer members an opportunity to unburden themselves to peers (people who have “walked a mile in your shoes”) about how their mental wellness challenge is affecting them and get feedback (empathy or best practices) to support them.  

More information can be found at: www.MentalWellness.help , and people may sign up for the Peer Support Group by joining www.MeetUp.com and searching for: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support Groups, or directly at: https://www.meetup.com/Mental-Wellness-Peer-to-Peer-Support-Groups/ 

Stephen Lockwood is a Deputy Director with the Legal Services Branch – Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He was counsel in the branch for 14 years, working on a range of land use planning and municipal law matters. 

Stephen is an advocate for mental health in the legal profession, speaks regularly about his lived experience with major depression and anxiety, and is a member of Voices for Mental Health.  

Myra Hewitt is General Counsel with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General - Legal Services Branch, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks where she has practiced since 1990.  Myra has been a member of Voices for Mental Health since 2019. She feels passionate about the need to destigmatize mental illness – to embrace our collective role in supporting mental health. 

Myra graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1986, was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988, clerked for the High Court in 1989 and received her LL.M from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1997.

Imran Kamal recently became Crown Counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, specializing in Aboriginal rights. 

Imran was legal counsel at the Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton (CCAS) from 2014 to 2021. Imran is a LSO Certified Specialist in Indigenous Legal Issues and the only child protection lawyer in Ontario with this designation. In 2021, Imran was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

Imran’s passion is to work front line and grassroots. In 2017, Imran established Hamilton Lawyers Feed the Hungry, which gathers volunteers from the legal community to financially support and prepare and serve meals for 80-100 children and youth in the Hamilton community bi-weekly. Since 2016, Imran has also been a weekly volunteer at a Men’s Live-in Addiction Treatment Centre, providing support and resources for men overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. Additionally, Imran is Board Member of Mission Services of Hamilton and the AIDS Network.

Imran was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2013. Prior to joining the Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton, Imran practiced in domestic family law in Halton region where his main area of practice was custody and access issues.