Pro Bono Sports Arbitration: Canadian Boxer seeks KO in sex discrimination case

Friends Who Argue

In this episode of Friends Who Argue, Gowling WLG partner Erin Farrell interviews Sylvie Rodrigue and Sarah Whitmore of Torys LLP. Sylvie and Sarah recently represented decorated Canadian boxer, Mandy Bujold, in her fight to attend the Tokyo Olympic Summer Games (scheduled for 2020 and subsequently held in 2021) after a pandemic-driven rule change resulted in her potential disqualification as a result of a maternity leave. Erin Farrell also speaks with Mandy Bujold about her perspective on sport arbitration proceedings.

Erin Farrell is a lawyer at the Gowling WLG Toronto office and chair of the firm's pro bono programs. Her practice focuses on a variety of commercial litigation matters, including class actions, product liability, and municipal liability. She is also an active member of The Advocates' Society, including serving on the 10+ Standing Committee, a committee dedicated to advancing the interests of mid-career advocates.

Sylvie Rodrigue, Ad. E. is a partner at Torys who divides her time between the Toronto and Montreal offices. Sylvie leads Torys’ Class Action and Product Liability practices. Sylvie has a broad litigation practice and extensive experience defending class actions in all provinces across Canada both pre-certification and at trial. Sylvie has been involved in a wide range of multi-jurisdictional class actions. She has been awarded the designation of Advocatus Emeritus by the Québec Bar, a distinction awarded to a limited number of lawyers to honour an outstanding legal career. Sylvie sits on the Board of Directors of The Advocates' Society. Most recently, Sylvie was named Litigator of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Law Awards.

Sarah Whitmore is also a partner at Torys and maintains an active disputes practice with an emphasis on class actions, employment law, commercial litigation, public law and constitutional litigation. Sarah is counsel to the defendants in a number of leading and precedent-setting employment national class actions. She also assists clients in resolving claims involving allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment and related allegations of wrongful and constructive dismissal. Sarah is also frequently involved in complex contract disputes, and in addition, maintains a robust defamation practice.
Land Acknowledgement
The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.

While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.

We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.