The WLMP National Student Program Leaders Circle is comprised of strong talented feminist leaders and future legal leaders.
They are leaders who are passionate and focused on creating lasting change in their communities and the broader Canadian legal community.
All WLMP National Program Team Leads take part in the strategic planning at the WLMP’s National Student Program level, devise a two year plan and guide the work of their committee.
As the Co-Leads for the WLMP’s Peer Mentoring Program, Khawla and Kayla work together to develop and expand our one-of-a-kind peer mentorship program. They connect with and coordinate with WLMP ally organizations across Canada. That’s in addition to implementing the WLMP’s mentoring program.
They are blazing a new trail within the Canadian legal community. Currently, the WLMP is the only women’s legal mentoring programming offering national level peer mentoring.
Meet Khawla Khalifa Co-Lead for Peer Mentoring, WLMP National Student Program
Khawla is currently in her first year of law school at the University of Windsor Law School. She was drawn to their program’s focus on Access to Justice.
Prior to law school, Khawla received a Bachelor of Education and also a Bachelor of Science at the University of Windsor. She also holds a Masters in Education from the University of Toronto.
Khawla is passionate about supporting women in the legal field. She is a single mother of three and fluent in both English and Arabic.
As part of the leadership group for the WLMP’s National Student Program, Khawla is excited to contribute to the WLMP and firmly believes in the value of women mentoring women and helping bring down systemic racism barriers facing women in Canada.
Why do you feel there is a need for a National Women’s Legal Mentorship Program?
Women in Canada remain a minority in the courtroom and as leaders in their law firms. Assistance with navigating unique issues that women in law may confront during law school and in their legal careers is essential to address gender equality moving forward.
A National Women’s Legal Mentorship Program enables members to seek advice, counsel, and guidance from professionals throughout the nation.
Meet Kayla Maria Rolland Co-Lead for Peer Mentoring, WLMP National Student Program
Originally from Ottawa, Kayla attends McGill law school and is pursuing joint degrees in Civil and Common Law. Prior to law school, she received a Bachelors of Arts Honours degree in Political Studies at Queen’s University.
Kayla currently works on the editorial team of a legal journal as the Articles Editor for the American Journal of Comparative Law and volunteers as an Ambassador for McGill University, Faculty of Law’s admissions office.
When she’s not busy with law school, Kayla can be found baking, exploring Montreal or boiling her next cup of tea.
Why do you feel there is a need for a National Women’s Legal Mentorship Program?
As a student who attends law school out of the province I was raised, I have seen the value that comes from learning and engaging with other legal communities from across Canada.
I am looking forward to working to connect students with peers from across the country, and learning from each other as we strive to address systemic barriers facing self-identified women, LGBTQI2S+ and BIPOC persons within the legal profession.
If you are part of a law school association that is interested in connecting with Khawla and Kayla, then email them at: NatlStudent@wlmp-pmdf.ca