After more than 23 years with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), Julia De Faria, Director of Finance and Administration has announced that she will be retiring this summer.
Julia has been part of OTLA through a period of significant growth and change, supporting the Association’s financial administration, internal operations, conferences, publications and member services over more than two decades. As she prepares for retirement, Julia reflects on the people, experiences and milestones that have shaped her time with OTLA.
“Prior to joining OTLA, I worked for a criminal defence firm in Burlington. At the time, the firm rented office space in the same building as Martin & Hillyer Associates, where I came to know Bruce Hillyer, the founding President of OTLA. OTLA was operating out of Bruce’s office at the time, which is where I first met Dianne Halcovitch and Marsha Mann, two founding OTLA employees.
I like to think this crossing of our paths was meant to happen. My employer at the time had been appointed to the bench, which left me in search of a new job. There was a short period where I worked for another law firm. I later had heard through Dianne that OTLA was looking for a part-time employee, which led me to take the plunge and start my everlasting journey with OTLA.
In 2003, when I began with the Association, I started as an administrative assistant. At the time, OTLA was still a relatively small organization, which meant everyone wore multiple hats. As the Association continued to grow over the years, so did the team, membership and scope of our work. Over time, my role evolved into many different areas where I worked on publications, conference planning, finance and administration, eventually leading me to become Director of Finance and Administration.
One milestone that has always stood out to me was helping coordinate OTLA’s move from Hamilton to Burlington in 2008. I had the opportunity to help create the new office space and support the transition alongside OTLA leadership. It was an especially exciting time for me, as my husband and I had also decided to move to Burlington.
Over the last 23 years, a lot has changed.
Technology has probably been the biggest change during my time with OTLA. Before everything became digital, we would spend entire days faxing promotional materials for conferences page by page. Conferences were also much more hands-on in those days. We handled everything in-house including proofreading papers, creating title pages and assembling more than 250 three-ring binders by hand for attendees. There were many late nights spent making sure every binder was complete before conference mornings. Today, conference materials can simply be shared digitally through PDFs and event platforms, which is something we never could have imagined back then.
I’ve had the chance to watch OTLA grow in many ways. Membership expanded significantly, especially after CPD accreditation came into effect in 2011. OTLA was one of the first Associations to get its accreditation, which led to a massive spike in our membership. Along with that growth came expanded educational programming, regional meetings and advocacy work, all of which have helped strengthen the Association and the services provided to members.
What has stood out to me most throughout my time at OTLA is the willingness of members to share their knowledge with one another. Lawyers live and breathe this work, but they are also incredibly generous in helping others learn and understand complicated issues. I don’t think members always realize how many people they ultimately help through that shared knowledge.
Through our newsletters, conferences and meetings, I am constantly learning. I will sometimes share these tidbits with family and friends, who are often surprised to learn about important legal and insurance changes affecting everyday people, including issues like the secret deductible. OTLA has always played an important role in helping keep both members and the public informed and that is something I have always been proud to be part of.
Looking back on the last 23 years, I feel incredibly grateful for the people I’ve met, the experiences I’ve had and the opportunity to grow alongside the Association. As I get ready to retire, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my dogs, visiting my best friend Dianne and being an auntie to a new baby in the coming months.”
We will miss you, Julia. Thank you for your many years of service and commitment to OTLA.
Jay Ralston, OTLA President
“Congratulations on your retirement, Julia. Thank you for everything you have done for OTLA over the past 23 years. Your dedication, hard work and contributions to the Association have meant so much to so many people. Wishing you a long, healthy and well-deserved retirement filled with happiness, family and new adventures.”
Christine Allenby, OTLA CEO
“Julia’s 23 years with OTLA represent a remarkable commitment to the Association, our members and the work we do. Over the past year, I have appreciated her support, her deep knowledge of OTLA and the care she has brought to her work. Julia has been part of many important chapters in OTLA’s history, and we are grateful for her years of service. I wish Julia a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement.”
Members are invited to help us celebrate Julia’s 23 years with OTLA by sharing a congratulatory message, memory or note of thanks. Messages can be sent to Regan Lalonde and will be collected and shared with Julia as she prepares for retirement.
