After a three-decade career as a lawyer in Toronto, there isn’t much that intimidates Martha McCarthy.
But ask her about the climate of sexual harassment among colleagues in her profession and she chooses her words carefully.
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“I’m not afraid of very much but I’m kind of afraid of talking honestly. There’s so much fear around coming out about these issues, and, if one does that, what is the retaliation?” says McCarthy.
McCarthy was first called to the bar in 1991. Before the end of her year as an articling student, she had already endured comments about her appearance from senior lawyers and judges. It hasn’t stopped since, she says.
“I personally experienced (sexual harassment) in my professional life at the hands of judges, colleagues and clients at least once a week from the time I was called to the bar until today.”
Veteran Toronto lawyer Martha McCarthy says she has experienced sexual harassment by judges, colleagues and clients at least once a week throughout her three-decade career.
Nick Lachance / Toronto Star
Dozens of female lawyers who spoke with reporters say they believe a culture of sexual impropriety flourishes thanks to entrenched power imbalances.
“This is not a big firm versus little firm issue. It is a law issue. There is an arrogance in the profession. And there hasn’t been a reckoning,” says Alexi Wood, a civil litigator in Toronto.
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