Constance Isherwood
Constance Isherwood | |
|---|---|
| Born | Constance Holmes January 19, 1920 Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | January 26, 2021 (aged 101) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer (civil and family law) |
Constance Dora Isherwood (January 19, 1920 – January 26, 2021) was a Canadian lawyer based in British Columbia focused on civil and family law, and real estate law. At the time of her death, she was the oldest practicing lawyer in British Columbia.[1]
Early life
Isherwood was born Constance Holmes on January 19, 1920 in Nanaimo, in Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She played in an all-girls band as a drummer and wanted to pursue a career in an orchestra. However, she was inspired to join law school by a lawyer for whom she was working as a legal secretary.[2]
Holmes studied law at the University of British Columbia, enrolling in 1948 and graduating in 1951. She was the one of only eight women in a class of 208, and went on to graduate as topper of the class.[1] She was a mentor to women law practitioners through her career, specifically through the 1960s and 1970s. Speaking of the advances made toward gender equality in the profession, she would note later in her career, "Now, the number of female students in law either equals or exceeds men.I'm amazed."[3]
Career
After graduating, she worked with lawyer Ernest Tait, with whom she would go on to set up the legal firm Tait & Holmes. Later, in 1963 she set up the legal firm Isherwood & Holmes.[1] She focused on civil and family law, and real estate law.[1] At the time of her death, she was the oldest practicing lawyer in British Columbia.[3] She was noted to have been working until the hours closing her last case, a real estate deal, before her death.[2]
She was the recipient of the Law Society of British Columbia's lifetime achievement award in 1996, becoming the first woman to receive the honor.[1] She received a honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia in 2015.[3]
Personal life
Isherwood was married to lawyer Foster Isherwood. The couple went on to have two sons.[1] Isherwood died on January 26, 2020, aged 101.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Trailblazing B.C. lawyer Constance Isherwood dies at 101". Retrieved 2021-01-30.
- ^ a b "Constance Isherwood, B.C.'s oldest lawyer, closes deal hours before dying at 101". vancouversun. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
- ^ a b c "Trailblazer and oldest practising B.C. lawyer Constance Isherwood dead at 101 | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-30.