Mrs. Mary Frawley Lamont

Mary Frawley Lamont (1913-) was born in Toronto to Dr. Frawley, Chief of Obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital. After graduating from University College with English and History degrees in 1934, she entered Osgoode Hall Law School somewhat reluctantly at her friend’s suggestion. She articled at McMaster, Montgomery and was called to the Bar in 1937, then worked at Canada Life until her marriage to Don Lamont in 1941.

During World War II, while her husband served in the Canadian Army, Lamont took over his practice and worked as a Court of Appeal reporter for the Ontario Reports under editor Allen Harvey. She sat at a small desk beneath the bench, recording arguments of counsel including notable lawyers like J.J. Robinette, Arthur Martin, and Joe Sedgwick. She found Chief Justice Robertson austere but fair, and particularly admired Mr. Justice Gillanders for his kindness to counsel.

After raising three children, Lamont returned to law in 1970 as a part-time interviewing lawyer at Legal Aid for ten years. She was actively involved in the Women’s Law Association, serving as past president and advocating for the first woman Bencher, though the effort was unsuccessful when the vote split between Elizabeth Newton and Vera Parsons. Her account provides valuable insights into women’s experiences in the legal profession during the mid-20th century, from wartime practice to the early development of legal aid services.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.