Living her values: Katie DiTomaso ’03 earns OBA award for professionalism and civility
July 26, 2024
By Kaleigh Rodgers | Photography provided
For civil litigator Katie DiTomaso, LL.B. ‘03, law offers a rewarding and enriching outlet for a lifelong passion for service. In June, her exemplary service to clients, peers, students and the legal community was recognized by the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) with the 2024 Joel Kuchar Award for Professionalism and Civility.
The award celebrates an OBA member who, in addition to demonstrating commitment to professionalism, civility, fairness and integrity, also offers a willingness to share their knowledge with peers and shows dedicated participation in professional association activities.
“Receiving this award is incredibly significant. Being recognized for the professionalism and civility that I embody through my contributions to the profession and community-at-large has been a meaningful and humbling experience. I'm grateful for this peer recognition,” said DiTomaso.
Practicing law for the past 20 years, DiTomaso practices at Toronto-based civil litigation firm, Stieber Berlach LLP, where she represents insurers, businesses, governments, public entities and individuals in a broad range of complex tort litigation matters. She explains that applying her expertise to files ranging from personal injury to professional negligence, product liability, workplace investigations, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage claims satisfies her drive to solve complex and interesting problems and, above all, to support her clients.
“What is really motivating for me, at this stage in my career, is solving legal problems and helping clients. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is service to others. I enjoy providing sensible legal advice that is well-reasoned and clearly communicated to my clients who rely on me to help them resolve their legal disputes with professionalism and integrity,” said DiTomaso.
Expanding further, she shares, “Law is a service-based profession. But law is also a needs-based profession. People need justice. Through representing hundreds of different clients with their diverse legal disputes before courts and tribunals, I have come to learn that people with legal problems want to be respected, heard, and given a fair hearing. Providing legal services that recognizes this motivates me.”
DiTomaso points to her upbringing as the foundation for the values and service orientation that now drive her in both her professional life and many leadership and mentorship roles. Raised by a lawyer-turned-judge father, Justice Guy P. DiTomaso, and a mother who worked in both the private and public sectors, the value of education and a strong work ethic were modeled in her home. Her grandparents, who were all involved in public service, also instilled a love of giving back.
“I've been fortunate to have excellent role models in my life—my parents and my grandparents. Education and volunteering were a part of our family's core values, along with the idea that women could hold any profession of their choice, nothing was off limits,” said DiTomaso.
On deciding which professional career to pursue, she added, “My Father and his colleagues would tell stories about the legal profession and their cases. They included me and nurtured my interest from a young age. That was hugely influential to me. My Dad's love for the law, and most of all, his love to help others was passed down to me.”
Citing Western Law as a “tort law powerhouse,” DiTomaso credits her academic and co-curricular experiences for steering her towards civil litigation. Courses in tort law, contracts, and insurance and the opportunity to research the intersection of insurance law and privacy law initially sparked her interest. The rigour of the JD program, coupled with the opportunity to participate in clubs and mentorship opportunities, helped her learn foundational lessons that still serve her today.
“Western Law taught me perseverance and resilience. In terms of perseverance, it taught me that the challenges you face will create character and grit. Western Law also taught me resilience. You need resilience for longevity in a career in law,” she explained.
“The faculty also highlights the importance of peer relationships, which is greatly beneficial because you grow, learn, support and work together both at school and, ultimately, within the profession. Once in practice, peers give and receive support through file referrals, career opportunities and encouragement. Positive peer relationships provide deep professional satisfaction and I got to see that first-hand at a recent Western Law class of 2003 reunion.”
In addition to her thriving practice, DiTomaso dedicates countless hours to the profession believing the “hallmark of a true professional is one that gives time and talent to the public.” She serves as the elected Ontario Bar Association Insurance Law Section chair and the Canadian Bar Association Insurance Law Section secretary where she has chosen to centre her mandate on creating continuing education, building community and advocacy for reform in the civil justice system. As a mentor and educator, she is a skills evaluator and civil procedure mentor instructor at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, a co-chair of the Tort Law Moot executive committee, a lecturer, moot judge and mock trial judge. She is also a published author of numerous articles on civil litigation topics and contributor to three texts.
Outside of the legal sphere, DiTomaso is a mother of two active daughters and devotes her remaining time to community volunteerism connected to her other passion—helping children thrive. Her contributions to advancing childhood health and education were acknowledged with an Award of Merit nomination from the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She was also recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award for her significant civic contributions. Most recently, she raised six figures for the purchase and installation of an accessible play structure at her daughters’ school so all students would have the opportunity to play together.
“One of my passions is improving the lives of children through education and physical health and well-being,” said DiTomaso. “I want every child to reach their full potential in life, just as my parents and my family wanted for me.”
DiTomaso hopes her example is inspiring for her children who are already being recognized for their industriousness, leadership potential and efforts to contribute to their peer communities. Similarly, she recommends that current Western Law students find opportunities to lend their skills to both professional associations and community organizations and seek ways to pay it forward. She encourages students to take advantage of their OBA student membership and get involved through the OBA Young Lawyers Division or by writing articles for the OBA and to enter the Tort Law Moot Competition, an accredited moot competition open to all Ontario law schools.
Offering valuable, timeless advice to Western Law students and Western peers alike, DiTomaso reflects, “The hard work that you’re doing now will pay off. The kindness that you’re giving to others will come back to you. The decency and professionalism that you show will become your legacy. So, work hard, be kind, act with integrity and look to where you can be of service.”
