20 Under 40: Jane Scholes

Meet Jane Scholes, 33, partner at Lerners LLP and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2024 recipients

A PARTNER AT Lerners LLP, Jane Scholes has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, specialized tribunals and the Supreme Court of Canada. An expert legal counsel in dispute resolution and advocacy, as well as health law, she has built a thriving practice, consistently exceeding internal targets, all while balancing leadership roles, early parenthood and active community involvement. Continually refining her skills to better serve clients, she also actively supports various educational initiatives in the city, especially those with a focus on the advancement of young women.

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What would you say is your single biggest business achievement, and why?

Being admitted to the partnership at Lerners, ‘on track’ in terms of timing and having two kids in that time. I had to build and grow a successful practice to make partner, and I did so, including becoming a recognized name for those needing dispute resolution advice. I am proud to be able to say that I have appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and at the Supreme Court of Canada.

What about your biggest business obstacle, and how did you face it?

I hate to use the term ‘obstacle’ in this context, but there is no way around the fact that having children can have a huge impact on a woman’s professional trajectory. I was not willing to compromise or change my personal plans or timing for starting my family, or my plans for my career. My spouse is in a similarly demanding profession, and we have no local family support, so we have had to be very intentional about navigating our respective careers and early parenthood. We divide and conquer when necessary and split things as equally as we can, including that we split up each of the two parental leaves.

What’s one unexpected thing you like to tell people about your job?

It is nothing like the show Suits.

You’re off on your dream vacation — where are you headed?

Back to Tonga to scuba dive and swim with humpbacks in the wild.

Knowing what you know now, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

You can exhale — you will have it all one day and you can relax a bit and enjoy the journey more! It’s easy to focus on end goals and lose sight of all the milestones and progress day-to-day. Being intentional about your own happiness and setting goals for yourself — and not others — is the key to fulfillment.

And finally, what’s your guilty pleasure?

Pure sugar, preferably in the form of Sour Patch Kids — but any candy will do!  Interview by Kieran Delamont