Alika Hendricks

2019 LVP Campaign
Members of the Interim Local Committee

"I have been an LAO lawyer for nearly 20 years, specializing in clinic law. I have chaired the Ontario Bar Association's Administrative Law section and provincial inter-clinic working groups, and worked on law reform initiatives and strategic litigation. I believe that our clients deserve, and we can deliver, the highest level of professional service. From my attendance at the very first meeting of our campaign for recognition, through my election to the Interim Local Committee, until I had the pleasure of signing off on our collective agreement as chair of our bargaining committee, I have been convinced of the power and effectiveness of our union work in maintaining, protecting and enhancing our ability to provide this service. In that spirit, I am delighted to endorse Alika Hendricks for Local Vice President. Again and again, on the bargaining committee, in the ratification process, at meeting after meeting, she has shown herself a strong steady presence and a wise problem-solver. She is a natural leader - someone people intuitively trust and respect. She listens well, and leads with care and excellent good sense. We need her strengths as a strategist and facilitator, as well as her extraordinarily good people skills, as our local begins its new life within the formal structure of the Society. I would encourage everyone, vote for Alika!"
- Diane Janisse
Elected Representative, Interim Local Committee

"It has been a pleasure to work with Alika as elected members of our union’s Interim Local Committee the past couple of years and I am very excited about her candidacy for Local Vice President.
I have great respect for the integrity that Alika brings to all that she does. I’ve been inspired by her passionate advocacy on behalf of our members both with the employer and with our union, which she does with a sophisticated diplomacy that gets results.
It’s important to me that we build a democratic union local that prioritizes consulting with and engaging with our members. Our union will be best served by a structure that enables all elected representatives to be involved in all important decisions concerning our union. That is Alika’s vision. I’ve witnessed her keen ability to build consensus even when very different views are being expressed around the table and I know that she is someone who will ensure that ALL voices are heard and respected.
As this is our first full election, the person elected LVP will have a huge responsibility to set the right structure and tone of our union. At the same time, during this current climate of so much uncertainty at LAO we need a champion who is passionately advocating for all of our members and clients. I know that we can put our trust in Alika to be that champion."
- Garrett Zehr
Elected Representative, Interim Local Committee

"My name is Renée Fuchs. I've been a hybrid Staff Lawyer with Legal Aid Ontario for almost 5 years in Sudbury. I began working with Alika in 2016 when we were both elected as members of the Interim Local Committee ('ILC') to represent LAO lawyers through the Society of United Professionals. I also had the pleasure of being on the bargaining team with Alika and worked closely with her throughout the negotiation of our first collective agreement with LAO. Our bargaining team often designated Alika to deliver any potentially vexing message to the other side because she would always do it with grace. She is hard-working, dedicated, and she is as compassionate as she is well-spoken. For these reasons, I intend to vote for Alika for LVP."
- Renée Fuchs
Elected Representative, Interim Local Committee

"I have been working with Alika since 2015 when we were both part of the campaign for collective bargaining. Since achieving unionization, Alika and I have worked together as elected members on the Interim Local Committee (ILC).
When we were at the bargaining table, Alika was our go-to person to deliver the tough messages. We knew that we could leave it in her hands to gracefully make the difficult asks in a way that made our member's concerns clear, but also commanded respect and understanding from management. As Local Vice President (LVP), Alika would be the one in charge of making the big demands on our behalf. We'll be facing some conversations in our future which could be more difficult than anything we've faced before as unionized lawyers. If there's anyone I trust to handle these conversations and to make the big asks, it's Alika.
Alika is a formidable leader. She treats everyone as an equal and understands how to bring out the best in those she works with. When Alika facilitates meetings, she creates an environment where everyone is included and ensures that ideas are cared for and considered. Alika can be depended upon to listen and push for what our members need both at LAO and within the union itself. She is an expert at developing relationships, including with those on the other side of the table, and can navigate those relationships with a distance and objectivity that ensures that our members are protected."
- Kendall Yamagishi
Elected Representative, Interim Local Committee
Community Endorsement

"Alika Hendrick leads with a collaborative perspective and is able to elicit and encourage others thinking and leadership. I know this first hand as Executive Director of Community Builders Youth Leadership, because Alika’s support and leadership have been valuable assets to us since the early years of our 25 year-old organization. She has been the Board of Directors Chair since 2010, and her thinking, guidance and hard work have assisted us in pursuing our goal of helping young people develop skills and awareness as leaders building equitable and caring school communities.
Alika brings out our best, helping both individuals and the organization to thrive. As our board chair, Alika is warm, efficient and effective, having an eye for both a long-range overview and the more immediate details. Alika’s extraordinary organizational leadership skills are matched by her commitment and gift at building, promoting and nurturing thoughtful relationships. She is a skilled facilitator who seamlessly integrates rules and procedures without compromising connections, open discussions and others initiative."
- Eileen Nemzer
Executive Director, Community Builders Youth Leadership
