Janet Hoyt (LLB’84) has built an extraordinary reputation throughout Canada as a pioneering force in the legal profession. She has devoted over half of her 40-year career to helping others reach their full potential. Her innovative work, compassion, selfless nature, and strength-based approach to career success have positively impacted the lives of many lawyers. Janet’s outstanding contributions to the profession, impeccable record of public and community service, and long-standing commitment to UNB and the Faculty of Law have earned her the 2023 Ilsa Greenblatt Shore Distinguished Graduate Award.
Even though Janet has not lived in New Brunswick since she graduated from law school, she is quick to call herself “a proud New Brunswicker.” She has always considered the province “home” and staying connected to it has been very important to her. Janet was born and raised in Fredericton and spent most of her teenage summers hanging around her father’s law office—so it was not all that surprising when she followed in his footsteps in hopes of practicing together.
“I thought I had a plan but as we know, plans can unexpectedly change. The day I started law school was also the day my father was sworn in as a judge, so that was it for that. Make no mistake, I was so proud of him, but it did leave me pondering 'now what?’”
Upon graduating from law school, Janet went on to article and establish a successful legal practice in Halifax, NS. Another unexpected move in 1994 took her to Toronto.
“If you had told me back then that I would end up living and working in Toronto, I would have said you were crazy. I thought I would only be there for 2- or 3-years max, and here I am 30 years later [laughs], but it has been a great journey.”
Janet joined Torys as their full-time Director of Professional Development in 1998. Torys was the first firm to establish this unique role.
“On reflection, I think it was my involvement in the Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) that landed me the job. I graduated from UNB Law in 1984, in the depths of a deep recession, and jobs were scarce. I was one of the lucky ones who got an offer after articling but the stress and duress of young lawyers trying to navigate the market, having no guidance and support, was something I dedicated time and resources to during my tenure with the YLD, and I am still passionate about these issues 40 years later.”
Janet spent 16 “wonderful” years at Torys transforming the professional experience for its lawyers through innovative talent management, work allocation practices, and leadership training. Her initiatives in recruitment and retention, mentoring, and career development set benchmarks that transformed how legal professionals are nurtured and supported, not just at Torys but elsewhere. During her tenure at Torys, Janet became a trusted coach to many.
“My best days were when someone knocked on my door and asked if they could speak with me. I was coaching long before I even knew about executive coaching.”
Janet’s commitment to mentoring and coaching has been the cornerstone of her career. She volunteered as a Career Mentor in the Top 200 program with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University and she has acted as a volunteer coach for the Young Women in Law Association, an initiative to encourage and promote the retention of women in law. Again, not surprising to those who know her, Janet decided to devote all of her time and energies to coaching. In 2014, she obtained a graduate diploma in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University in Victoria and is recognized today as one of Canada’s foremost legal coaches.
“I have been so fortunate in my career. It did not evolve as I thought it would as a young lawyer in Halifax, but I ended up doing what I was meant to do. Not everyone can say that, so I am very thankful.”
Janet’s primary client is McCarthy Tetrault, one of the only law firms in North America to establish an independent and confidential coaching service for its lawyers.
“The response has been terrific and there are so many benefits, specifically for lawyers who aren’t very good at lifting their heads from their desks. Asking for help, and seeking some guidance or coaching, is a strength, not a weakness. The practice of law is very rewarding, but it is not without its challenges. Being able to have candid, confidential, and safe conversations with someone outside the organization is powerful and, in some instances, transformative. On the flip side, I am also in the unique position of having some influence internally, there is a huge value-add for all. I am surprised other firms have not copied the model.”
Janet's concerns about the evolving landscape of the legal profession are deeply rooted in her years of experience and observations. She advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes mental health and work-life balance.
“The practice of law, for the most part, continues to be practiced the same way it has been for decades (some would say centuries). We have to pay attention to the reasons behind high attrition, and the toll that stress, burnout, addiction, and mental health episodes are taking on lawyers and their families. The time has come.”
Despite the immense challenges of the pandemic, Janet found a silver lining: it gave many people a moment to pause and reflect on how they want to live and work.
“I can attest that lots of self-reflection was happening. I was never busier. As we emerged from this period of contemplation, there's been a collective shift towards wanting more intentional and satisfying professional lives, particularly among the younger generation of lawyers. They want to ‘work to live’ unlike many of us older folks who ‘lived to work’ and I applaud this. They are smart, they take great pride in their work, and they are ambitious, but they want to live and work differently than many of us did.”
Janet also acknowledges the growing concerns about the implications of AI in the legal field, particularly its potential impact on job security. She remains positive, viewing AI not as a replacement for lawyers but as a tool to strengthen their roles while transforming the business of law.
“AI is going to disrupt the traditional billable hour model, and it is going to significantly change how we work. It is going to enhance rather than replace the work of lawyers. That is my hope. The question then becomes how will lawyers take advantage of these efficiencies, the gift of time. I am hopeful that an increasing number will choose to approach their careers with mindfulness and purpose. Life offers no rehearsals, so we must craft our professional journeys with intention, embracing the opportunities for change and growth, and remaining optimistic about the future of the legal profession.”
Janet’s service to UNB and the Faculty of Law has been constant and exemplary. Since 2016, she has served on the UNB Board Governors, stepping into a leadership role as Vice-Chair in 2023. She has served UNB Law faithfully as a member of the Heritage Law Campaign Cabinet in the early 1990s, and more recently as a member of the Law School’s Strategic Planning Committee. For fourteen months, this small group engaged the UNB Law community and developed a plan for the next decade. Janet was at the heart of this work.
“I think every organization needs a plan and a great leader to rally the troops and to execute on it and Dean Marin is delivering in spades—the launch of the legal clinic and the impact it is having in the province, the incredible new additions to the faculty which will reduce class sizes and enhance the curriculum and student experience, increased student support, the move to the new building downtown. The list goes on and we most certainly have the right leader at the helm.”
Janet remains a champion of UNB Law during this turning point in our history. As a member of both the Dean's Advisory Council and Campaign Cabinet, she is helping make the UNB Law Strategic Plan a reality.
Janet has earned the admiration of her peers at UNB and across Canada and has served UNB with distinction. UNB Law is incredibly proud and grateful for the many contributions Janet has made to its success and to the success of graduates who have followed in her footsteps. In recognition of this, Janet was presented with the 2023 Ilsa Greenblatt Shore Distinguished Graduate Award at the graduation dinner in May. Dean Marin perhaps best summed up UNB Law’s debt to Janet with the following words:
“Janet Hoyt is one of the heroes of UNB Law's revival. So much of what our students now enjoy—our legal clinic, expanded career services, wellness advising, more professors, and more courses—stemmed from Janet's work on the strategic planning committee. And it wasn't just ideas that Janet contributed to that effort. After our report was done, she lobbied ferociously for its approval and implementation by the Board of Governors. She introduced me to many of UNB Law's most influential alumni and helped us earn their trust. Because of her, we now have an all-star team in UNB Law's corner.”
