Mentor Lawyer Profiles - Brittany Twiss

The Blazing Trails Mentorship Program (“BTMP”) is a mentorship program available to all law students in Canada. It helps law students connect with lawyers passionate about social justice-oriented careers. This summer, Level is highlighting some of its BTMP mentor lawyers to find out what made them pursue social justice in the first place. Today, we proudly profile Brittany Twiss, Assistant Dean at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.

What made you follow a social justice centered career as a lawyer and would you recommend it to law students who hope to do the same?

I went to law school to pursue a social justice career. Knowing yourself, and what drives you and makes you feel fulfilled, is critical. That is not always easy - there are a lot of external pressures in law school and in life. I recommend that, as a law student, you devote time to defining your vision for your career and then try to make choices that align with that vision each step of the way. You may need to temporarily step off your path (in my case, that was necessary so that I could pay down my student loans), but never lose sight of your ultimate goal.

What is your favorite memory of your time as an advocate?

I enjoy strategizing and working with others to resolve complex problems. My most memorable moments as a lawyer, whether it was in litigation or the non-profit sector, stem from working within teams of people who have a range of lived experiences, skills, and perspectives. It is humbling, inspiring, and when the work is properly client- or community-centred, leads to better and more sustainable outcomes. A highlight for me is the years I spent collaborating with Indigenous youth, teachers, law students, lawyers, judges, and Knowledge Keepers across the country to advance the TRC’s calls to action.

What is your favorite part of mentoring law students in the Blazing Trails Mentorship Program?

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a mentor in this program. While I find it fulfilling to provide support and guidance, I learn so much from the students and am always inspired by their talents and ambitions. My favourite part of mentorship is observing mentees develop confidence in their own stories, their unique strengths, and in their own definitions of success as future lawyers and leaders. Every student in this program is impact driven and we should all look forward to seeing where they go from here.

BTMP will begin accepting mentee applications in September 2024. To stay informed, please sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media (@leveljustice).