Upon reconnecting with her alma mater, she said her mission was 'to help reimagine the law school'
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has announced Janet Hoyt – who has worked as a lawyer and an executive coach over her 35 years in the legal profession – as the new chair of its board of governors.
In a blog post from the university, Hoyt dubbed herself a very proud UNB Faculty of Law graduate.
“When I was asked to join the board, I had a bit of a mission in mind: to help reimagine the law school,” Hoyt said in the blog post by Angie Deveau.
UNB’s board of governors aims to ensure that the institution’s strategic direction considers diverse perspectives and experiences.
In the blog post, Hoyt called it “an absolute pleasure” to re-engage with the university and help it secure a strong and sustainable future.
“UNB Toward 2030 is bold and relevant,” Hoyt said of the institution’s strategic direction. “Change in universities can be slow, but President [Paul] Mazerolle and his team have been focused on moving it forward.”
In the blog post, Hoyt brought attention to UNB’s commitment to and growing presence within the communities it serves across New Brunswick.
“I’m excited about the ways we’re continuing to bring UNB into our local communities,” Hoyt said, citing the UNB Legal Clinic as an example “where UNB students are already showing up and making direct and lasting impacts.”
At McCarthy Tétrault
Hoyt leads McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Career Advancement Office (CAO). Her biography on the firm’s website provided more information on her work background and experience.
At McCarthy Tétrault, Hoyt urges lawyers to think about their career goals proactively and strategically. She arranges introductions to allow the firm’s lawyers or alums to look into new opportunities.
The CAO seeks to help McCarthy Tétrault’s lawyers attain their career aspirations. It also aims to serve as a valuable resource for current and potential clients intending to augment their legal teams.
Hoyt’s firm bio noted that she has worked as a practising lawyer and a developer of legal talent.
“I have had a bit of an unconventional law career but when I look back, I have applied the same skills time and again, regardless of what iteration of my professional journey I was on—lots of listening, problem solving, consensus building, hard work, patience, empathy and confident decision-making—all relevant at a board table,” Hoyt said in the UNB blog post.
Hoyt has garnered significant career development experience by helping many lawyers advance their careers and make the most of the opportunities they encounter, according to her firm bio, which called her “a strong leader who focuses on people’s strengths to motivate exceptional performance and loyalty.”
According to her LinkedIn page, Hoyt was with Torys LLP from February 1998 to June 2013. As its professional development director, she spearheaded the firm’s mandate to attract, develop, engage, advance, and retain legal talent.
Apart from her LLB from UNB’s law school, Hoyt has a BA from Acadia University and executive coaching certification from Royal Roads University. She belongs to the International Coaching Federation.
