35 Years, 35 Voices: Meet Heidi Brown
35 Years, 35 Voices highlights the members who have contributed to the Ontario Trial Lawyers Associations (OTLA) growth, strengthened access to justice and supported a collaborative plaintiff-side community across Ontario over the past 35 years.
Meet Heidi Brown, member since 2011.
Member Profile
Name: Heidi Brown
Firm: Bogoroch & Associates LLP
Year called to the bar: 1993
Joined OTLA: 2011
We asked Heidi to reflect on her time with OTLA, the role the Association has played in her career and what being part of the OTLA community means to her.
What motivated you to join?
I spent the early years of my career at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, where I became passionate about advocating for the vulnerable members of our society who cannot advocate for themselves. I entered private practice seeking a community of lawyers who shared those same values.
Adam Wagman and Charles Gluckstein encouraged me to run for the OTLA Board of Directors and I am indebted to them for showing me the light. My nine years on the Board were my favourite years in practice.
If you’ve been a member for more than five years, what has inspired you to renew your membership?
I have continued to renew my OTLA membership because of the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to a collective effort to improving outcomes for injured people.
Personal injury litigation is challenging and constantly evolving. OTLA provides an invaluable forum for lawyers to exchange ideas, sharpen their skills and learn from some of the best advocates in the profession.
The organization reflects something I have valued throughout my career: surrounding yourself with smart, passionate people who challenge you to become better.
Do you have a memorable OTLA moment or story you’d like to share?
My favourite OTLA memories are from Long-Range Planning meetings. After a long day of discussions, we would get together jamming and singing folk tunes and rock ballads late into the night with so many brilliant and talented lawyers who can really sing (you know who you are) accompanied by Greg Monforton, Charles Gluckstein, Adam Wagman, Derek Nicholson and others rocking out on the guitar. Those were the days!
What is something you learned at an OTLA event that you still use in your practice today?
One of the most important lessons I have learned through OTLA is the importance of preparation and storytelling. Advocacy is not simply about knowing the law; it is about understanding your client’s experience and communicating it in a way that allows others to appreciate the impact of their injuries. The theme and the story are everything.
Have you made any meaningful professional connections through OTLA? If so, who or in what way?
Absolutely. OTLA has introduced me to many talented lawyers who have become colleagues, mentors and friends. I have learned from advocates across the province who approach their work with integrity, passion and a commitment to achieving justice for their clients. The relationships built through OTLA extend beyond individual cases. They create a professional community where lawyers support one another and continue to grow together.
How has OTLA influenced your practice or contributed to your career growth?
OTLA has reinforced the importance of continuous learning. Litigation requires humility—you can never assume you know everything. There is always another argument to consider, another perspective to understand and another skill to develop.
What advice would you give to new OTLA members or lawyers just starting out?
Be passionate about what you do, work hard and surround yourself with people who inspire you. The early years of practice are akin to a residency—commit yourself to learning the law and honing your skills. Do not be afraid to take risks or fail. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you. Be prepared, be curious and be willing to put in the work.
What does being part of the OTLA community mean to you?
Being part of OTLA means being part of a community committed to fairness, advocacy and access to justice. It means learning from colleagues who share a passion for helping people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to learn from remarkable mentors who taught me the importance of hard work, integrity and fearless advocacy. OTLA embodies those same principles and I am proud to be part of that community.