Voting is open now until April 28 at 5:00pm.

Hi, I’m Heather Hansen. I’m running for Law Society of Ontario Bencher in 2023. Learn a bit more about me, why I’m running and how I believe we can all do more to create a more efficient, civil and inclusive regulator in Ontario.

I’ve been a family lawyer with a significant litigation focus for the past 15 years. Along with my partners, I run McCarthy Hansen & Company. LLP in downtown Toronto. I’m a Certified Specialist by the LSO and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. I’m also privileged to represent children and youth as a panel member for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.

I’m thankful that I found the law and this amazing profession. I love the work, the challenge, my colleagues and the system. I am a true believer in the special and unique place the legal profession holds in our society.

As great as it is, I know the profession isn’t perfect. As a Bencher, I’ll work hard to make being a lawyer in Ontario better. I’ll look at things that haven’t worked and do my best to make improvements while also ensuring that the great things about this profession remain in place for future generations.

Supporting the Good Governance Coalition

I believe we need to return to Good Governance. I’m proud to be running alongside a cohort of proven leaders and innovators. I don’t always agree with all of them (in fact, I often don’t), however, I trust that they have the very best interest of our profession in mind. Our Coalition includes incredible depth and recognized leaders from across the profession. This includes, among others:

  • Eleven current benchers and four former benchers.

  • Past Presidents and Chairs of National and Provincial Legal Associations - Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, Federation of Law Associations of Ontario, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, Womens’ Law Association of Ontario, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Ontario)

  • Past Presidents of Local Law Associations - Toronto Lawyers Association, County of Carleton Law Association, Hamilton Law Association, Simcoe County Law Association, Halton County Law Association, Kenora District Law Association, Middlesex Law Association 

The Coalition includes a former Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, the current Acting Assistant Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice, Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, former Directors of the Advocates’ Society, current and former adjudicators of the Law Society Tribunal, a Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and much, much more.  This is what commitment to leadership in our profession looks like.

The Coalition includes lawyers from a broad array of practice areas and settings. The Coalition includes both veteran lawyers and more junior calls – the years of call span form 1974 to 2016 (a 42 year span) and the average years of experience is 25 years.  I would encourage you to learn more about this coalition – www.goodgovernancecoalition.ca