Join us on Friday, December 7, 2012 from 9am – 11am at Ela! Dartmouth Crossing for an inspiring morning with two amazing local military moms who balance their military lifestyle, career and family. Lieutenant (Navy) Kathleen Casby is presenting Military Boots and Sippy Cups – Tales of a Navy Lieutentant, Wife and Mother. Christine Doucet is going to share with us her survival tips, as a military mom … and a divorce lawyer. Prepare to be inspired!

 

Lieutenant (Navy) Kathleen Casby

A wide and varied career path led Kathleen to the Canadian Forces in March 2005. Managing to epitomize the current habit of changing jobs every few years to keep up with her ever-growing interests, Kathleen has held the title of Historical Interpreter, Archivist,University Career Counsellor, Creative Advertising Head-hunter, Non-Profit Association Director & President, Event Planner, Marketing Consultant to various law firms and Market Research Consultant.

 

In March 2005, Kathleen joined the Canadian Navy as a Maritime Surface Officer but quickly found her skill set more suitable to that of the Intelligence trade.Since completing her training in 2006, Kathleen has worked as an Intelligence Watch Officer at the Maritime Support Operations Centre in Esquimalt BC and as the Intelligence Standards Officer at Canadian Forces Fleet School in Quebec City. In 2010, she was posted to Halifax, first as the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Officer (NCAGS) at Maritime Operations Group Five, then as the Senior Staff Officer for NCAGS at the Maritime Command Headquarters. In May 2012, Kathleen was posted to HMCS SCOTIAN, the Naval Reserve Division on Upper Water Street as the Administration Officer.

 

Kathleen holds an Honours Bachelor in History and Archaeology from McMaster University. She spends every spare moment with her husband Lieutenant Commander Luc Tremblay, their 3½ yr old daughter Finnegan, and 1½ year old son Declan.

 

 Christine Doucet

Lawyer, military wife and  mom, Christine Doucet started her legal career practicing commercial litigation in a large law firm, but now prefers to practice in the area of family law. She finds satisfaction in helping clients navigate the legal issues that often accompany changes in their families. She assists clients in determining how family property will be divided following a separation, addressing support obligations, and coming up with a workable parenting plan for their children.

A believer in the collaborative process, Christine attempts to first resolve all issues through negotiation, but understands that some issues are best resolved with the help of a family law Justice. She has appeared numerous times in the various levels of the Nova Scotia Courts, including the Court of Appeal. Some of her notable cases have involved the valuation and division of business assets, complex multi-jurisdictional property litigation, shared parenting, and international custody disputes.

Christine graduated from Carleton University in 1996 (Bachelor of Journalism with Combined Honours in Law). Her first career was as a reporter at The Chronicle Herald. She attended Dalhousie Law School, during which time she was a member of the winning team in the national Sopinka Cup trial advocacy competition and also won the individual prize for best cross-examination. She articled at a national firm in Toronto, and was called to the bars of Ontario and British Columbia in 2002. She practiced in Vancouver from 2002 to 2006 before returning home to Nova Scotia in 2006. Christine took a brief foray into the world of legal recruiting and returned to practice in 2008.

She enjoys balancing a busy practice and busy home life with many volunteer commitments. Christine is a board member of the Association of Collaborative Family Law Lawyers of Nova Scotia and begins her term as president in September 2012; an active member and board member (Chair of the Communications Committee) of the Canadian Bar Association, where she was recently nominated for the Constance R. Glube Spirit Award; and a volunteer facilitator of the Parent Information Program at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division). She is also involved in her local residents association and has been a Big Sister since 2007.

Christine is married to Major Jamie Parsons, a Sea King pilot, and has two children (aged 3 and 9 months) and a 10 year old stepson from a previous marriage.

 

Sit back and relax while you enjoy a light breakfast and steaming latte while listening to Christine and Katherine, and connect with other savvy professional Halifax moms.

Childcare will be provided by Kids & Company. Kids aged 0 – 12 years old are welcome. Listen to the speakers and engage in uninterrupted conversation while the children are supervised in a safe and fun area nearby. Babies up to 6 months (or older if you prefer) may choose to sit closer to Mom. An additional fee of $10.00 (plus HST) for the first child and $5.00 (plus HST) for each additional child will be charged for those requiring childcare (snacks included).

CHILDCARE IS FREE for momcafé members! Email to register your child.

 

A HUGE thanks to our Savvy Regional Partners:

 

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