Mother and daughter lawyers called to the bar together

In a first in Ontario, a mother and daughter will be called to the bar together to practice law in the province. CTV London’s Sean Irvine reports.

A one-of-a-kind mother-daughter moment occurred in London, Ont. on Monday, as both were called to the bar.

Lori Butler and Megan Delaronde’s achievement represents a milestone in law and family.

The Law Society of Ontario believes it has never happened before.

Graduates of different law schools, the Kitchener, Ont. women have spent the better part of half a decade working towards their collective goal.

“For both of us to overcome the odds, getting into law school. It was like winning the lottery,” said Butler.

“It is incredibly exciting to be able to do this with my mother,” added Delaronde. “It’s not something I thought I could ever dream of. She is the smartest woman I know.”

For Lori, the path to becoming a lawyer in her 60s followed a long career in teaching.

She was encouraged to take on the challenge by her daughter, who firmly believes in her mother’s abilities to succeed and set an example.

“My mother always taught me that you’re not constrained by one thing. You’re not constrained by what you’ve done in the past. You have endless opportunities to reinvent yourself.”

It’s the message Butler has always lived.

“I’ve been told that I’m an inspiration because of age, and I think that I didn’t mean to be, but I think it is a great role model to be able to see that you can reinvent yourself at any time.”

Still, reinvention comes with a price. Both women are entering law at a time when a justice warns the profession is facing new threats.

“World events remind us of the critical importance of an independent bar and an independent judiciary,” Justice Paul Howard told the 79 new members of the Law Society of Ontario.

This statement gives some food for thought for mother and daughter as they begin to practice criminal law.

“I’m so very excited for what comes next. And excited to be doing it with Momma!” said Delaronde.