Empowering Others and Shaping Perceptions of a Profession: An Interview with Vivian Wilson

Feeling connected to a network of progress fuels the prodigious community service of Kingston lawyer Vivian Wilson. An advocate for the vulnerable, an army reservist, an active local volunteer, and an in-house counsel committed to sustainability, she aims to make an impact wherever she can. After receiving a certificate of recognition on behalf of East Region, winner of the OBA at the Hotline: Pro Bono Regional Challenge, she spoke with JUST. magazine about the integral role lawyers play – across all aspects of society.

Is the law where you always imagined yourself working?

Growing up, I thought I would work in healthcare or conservation science. During my BSc, I started learning about the legal side of science and research, from regulatory compliance to intellectual property.  I was so interested in it that I decided to pursue law school after graduation. As a 1L, I was absolutely certain that I would specialize in intellectual property law, but as I gained exposure to different practice areas, I became more interested in the diversity of law.

When I transitioned from private practice to in-house, I was captivated by the variety of projects and practice areas that I was able to work on within a single organization. Although it's not at all what I had pictured, it's so much better than I expected.

In what ways has practice differed from your expectations?

The practice of law continually surprises and amazes me, but I think my main initial shock was how pervasive and integral it is to every industry – I've been able to contribute to fascinating projects that I never would have expected to be part of as a lawyer. 

I didn't know much about legal roles outside of the traditional law firm model, even after law school, and I was surprised by the range of roles that existed and the variety of companies that had lawyers serving various in-house functions. I know it surprises other people too, because I've received many puzzled looks from friends and family throughout my career when they heard I was working for a barbershop chain or another company and they ask me, "But aren't you a lawyer?!" 

One of my goals is to work with an external firm to set up an articling rotation or secondment program to give students and young lawyers insight into in-house and private practice positions to expand their view of possible career paths.

Is there an early-career lesson you learned early that continues to prove valuable today?

The most valuable lesson I've learned in my career is that stamina is not a strategy. It is always worth the time to step back and review legal workflows, inefficiencies and backlog to ensure workloads are manageable and customer-service-level commitments are suitable and achievable.  It's a simple lesson to learn, but it can be difficult to implement – it's definitely one that I come back to regularly.

What inspires you in your work as in-house legal council?

I find it motivating because in-house counsel are in a unique position to shape how lawyers and other risk advisors are perceived and leveraged within an organization, which has the potential to significantly influence the overall corporate culture. When lawyers are proactive and genuine collaborators, there is an opportunity to not only shape the perception of – and engagement with – our profession, but to proactively manage risks and promote ethical business practices, which has positive downstream social and economic impacts.

Why were you drawn to Umicore?

I was drawn to Umicore because I am interested in circular economy and keeping materials in use for as long as possible to prevent waste. My husband first mentioned the company to me, and I started reading about the closed-loop business model they use to develop, produce, and recycle materials with the goal of creating sustainable value. The more I read about this model, the more I knew I wanted to contribute to a company that had these shared values.

The most rewarding part of my work has been the broad range of projects that I get to be part of, which have the ability to impact local and international communities in positive ways.

More broadly, what role has community service played in your career?

Community service has always been a priority for me. I serve as a corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve, I try to dedicate at least 50 hours per year to pro bono legal services, and I volunteer with several other community organizations, including ElderDog Canada, a fantastic program that helps seniors keep their canine companions by assisting with the day-to-day necessities like dog walks, vet visits, and temporary care during hospitalizations.

These activities help me contribute in a meaningful way to the well-being of my community by actively addressing issues, providing assistance, and empowering others to do the same.  It is satisfying to see the positive impact on others; feel connected to a network of progress; and to be exposed to diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and unique challenges. I gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing our communities, along with transferrable skills and insights that are surprisingly useful in my work and personal life.

Any professional highlights?

I've worked on incredible projects, negotiated complex transactions, and visited remarkable client sites and facilities, but I think my top professional highlights so far have all been pro bono files. 

Helping people find their voice in legal forums and stand up for their rights is extremely rewarding. Sometimes even the smallest intervention makes a significant positive change in someone's life. Helping vulnerable people find and use the resources and tools they need to advocate for themselves is one of the most worthwhile things I can do as a lawyer.

Speaking of pro bono, you recently accepted the Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the East Region, winner of the OBA at the Hotline: Pro Bono Regional Challenge. What was your experience of participating in this volunteer challenge?

I was already volunteering with Pro Bono Ontario (PBO) when I saw the OBA at the Hotline: Pro Bono Regional Challenge call for participants, so I was excited to put my hours toward a good-natured challenge to encourage everyone to donate time to Ontarians in need.

Volunteering with PBO is always amazing. Their system allows volunteers to easily sign in remotely and answer calls in 4- or 8-hour shifts, and most volunteers assist around 7 to 13 clients per shift. PBO has a skilled support team as well as an open communication channel with the other volunteer lawyers, which is an incredible resource (especially for junior lawyers or anyone assisting callers in practice areas outside their typical focus).

It was a wonderful surprise to learn that East Region won the challenge and that I was selected to represent the team in our win. I hope challenges like these encourage even more lawyers to get involved!