The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is proud to announce that alumna Kathleen Ryan, Q.C. ('91 LLB), a partner in the Davis LLP's Edmonton office and head of their Personal Injury Law Practice Group in Edmonton, has been named a winner of the Women's Executive Network's (WXN) 2013 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards. These awards celebrate and highlight the professional achievements of women across the country in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
"Every year we see the high quality of female leadership in this country as we review the applications for these Awards," said Pamela Jeffery, WXN Founder. "The 2013 Top 100 Winners are a testament to the broad range of talent and leadership found in Canada and we believe that by recognizing and sharing the accomplishments of these women, we are encouraging the next generation to reach higher so that one day there will be no ceiling, just possibility."
Kathleen Ryan, Q.C., is a senior litigator with extensive experience appearing in all levels of courts in the province of Alberta. Her focus is on consumer and injury litigation, professional malpractice, employment litigation and commercial litigation. Kathleen is the head of the Injury Law Practice Group in Edmonton and is recognized by Lexpert as a Leading Practitioner in Canada in the area of Personal Injury Litigation. She is an elected Bencher (member of the Board of Directors) of the Law Society of Alberta, and a dedicated wife and mother to four growing children.
In addition to her experience as a litigator, Kathleen counsels clients on and employs appropriate alternative dispute resolution strategies. She taught and evaluated at the bar admission course in negotiation for several years. Kathleen has chaired or presented at numerous seminars and continuing legal education events. She has presented in numerous areas of the law including: dealing with insurers, advocacy, damages, brain injury, employee evidence, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Kathleen Ryan's contributions to the profession and community as well as her longstanding vocal advocacy for retention of women in the practice of law are well recognized by colleagues and peers.
In a story on the Davis LLP website Kathleen is quoted as saying that she is honoured to receive the award. "I am grateful for the support, opportunities, and resources Davis LLP has given me. The firm has embraced my practice area (consumer litigation) which promotes access to justice for our clients and strongly encourages lawyer volunteer roles in our community and profession. And Davis has done this in a way that fairly balances the needs of professional working mothers."
The 2013 Top 100 Award Winners will be honoured on December 4 at a Gala dinner at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.
WXN is Canada's leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles and has more than 19,000 members across Canada and Ireland. Since its inception in 1997, WXN has honoured 728 of Canada's most powerful women and inducted 93 of these women into the Top 100 Hall of Fame.