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 Meghan Hull Jacquin, member since 2005.
Member Profile
Name: Meghan M Hull Jacquin
Firm: Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP
Year called to the bar: 2005
Joined OTLA: 2005
We asked Meghan 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?
Joining OTLA was never really a question for me; it was a given. I believe in the power of a collective voice to stand up for injured people and families. OTLA is this recognized and credible voice in the legislature and the courts.
If you’ve been a member for more than five years, what has inspired you to renew your membership?
OTLA consistently gives me far more than I put in. It makes me a better lawyer, strengthens our collective advocacy and reminds me that none of us have to fight our battles alone.
Do you have a memorable OTLA moment or story you’d like to share?
Founding and chairing OTLA’s Mentorship Program has been particularly rewarding. Creating opportunities for lawyers to learn from, support and connect with one another reinforces everything I love about this organization.
What is something you learned at an OTLA event that you still use in your practice today?
The conferences are beyond compare. Having co-chaired the CLE Committee for the past two years has allowed me to create these conferences from scratch and enrich our members’ practices in so doing.
Have you made any meaningful professional connections through OTLA? If so, who or in what way?
Some of my closest professional relationships and lifelong friendships have come through OTLA, including relationships with lawyers who might otherwise have been viewed simply as competitors. They have become colleagues, mentors and trusted friends.
How has OTLA influenced your practice or contributed to your career growth?
OTLA has made me a better litigator and given me opportunities to grow as a leader and advocate. Serving on the Board and Executive Committee, co-chairing committees and leading the mentorship program have allowed me to contribute to our profession in ways I could never have achieved alone.
What advice would you give to new OTLA members or lawyers just starting out?
Get involved! Volunteer, attend events, ask questions, join the mentorship program and build relationships. Some of the best lawyers in the province – who happen to be OTLA members – are also among the most generous with their time and knowledge.
What does being part of the OTLA community mean to you?
OTLA allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself, partnering with like-minded lawyers who stand up for injured and vulnerable people. Along with learning the “trade secrets” from experienced plaintiff litigators at OTLA, it allows me to add my voice to the intervention, lobbying, public education and legislative reform work that OTLA does on a daily basis.
