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 Tina Radimisis, member since 2004.
Member Profile
Name: Tina Radimisis
Firm: JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LL.P
Year called to the bar: 2003
Joined OTLA: 2004
We asked Tina 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?
At the time, Paul Jewell, Q.C., the partner that I was a junior associate for, told me that I should join OTLA. He advised that it was an amazing organization and that I would learn a lot from simply being a member.
If you’ve been a member for more than five years, what has inspired you to renew your membership?
OTLA is at least half the reason I am the lawyer that I am. It has been a tremendous resource and support in my practice.
Do you have a memorable OTLA moment or story you’d like to share?
Very early on in my career, when I tried to get onto the Board, I was approached by the president of OTLA. The president at the time told me that I was impressive and to try again next year. Following that interaction, I was then approached by the CEO. She let me know that she wanted me to run for the chair of the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (WTLC) and that this would support my chances of being elected to the Board as it was a further opportunity to showcase my skills when I run for the Board again the following year. The chair of the WTLC also approached me to run for the chair position. It was a highly supportive and motivating experience that I will not forget.
What is something you learned at an OTLA event that you still use in your practice today?
Everything really from the Listserve and the Listserve archive, the precedents and the conversations on the phone with members that were willing to help that didn’t even know me.
Have you made any meaningful professional connections through OTLA? If so, who or in what way?
Yes, absolutely. I cannot mention names as there are so many of them. Being on the Board for 10 years allowed me the opportunity to establish valuable relationships and friendships with amazing people and phenomenal lawyers.
How has OTLA influenced your practice or contributed to your career growth?
OTLA has significantly helped me in my career and in growing as a personal injury lawyer. I have gained knowledge and the ability to think more critically. I have learned to investigate deep into a file, take a file apart and put the pieces back together again; how to develop a theory of my case; how to inoculate and present the case in a manner which is favourable to my clients; trial skill; mediation skills; and examination for discovery skills.
What advice would you give to new OTLA members or lawyers just starting out?
Focus on accessing the resources OTLA provides. There are gold nuggets you will carry with you throughout your entire career. Go to conferences and events and make connections with the amazing OTLA lawyers. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or email and ask an OTLA member a question. This also applies if you know the answer or can help another member, don’t hesitate to do so.
What does being part of the OTLA community mean to you?
It is an important aspect of who I am as a lawyer and the quality of the lawyer that I am.
