Nothing But the Truth

by Marie Henein

An intimate and no-holds-barred memoir by Canada's top defence lawyer, Nothing But the Truth weaves Marie Henein's personal story with her strongly held views on society's most pressing issues, legal and otherwise.

With Nothing But the Truth, Marie Henein, arguably the most sought-after lawyer in the country, has written a memoir that is at once raw, beautiful, and altogether unforgettable. Her story, as an immigrant from a tightknit Egyptian-Lebanese family, demonstrates the value of strong role models--from her mother and grandmother, to her brilliant uncle Sami who died of AIDS. She learned the value of hard work, being true to herself and others, and unapologetically owning it all.

Marie Henein shares here her unvarnished view on the ethical and practical implications of being a criminal lawyer, and how the job is misunderstood and even demonized. Ironically, her most successful cases made her a "lightning rod" in some circles, confirming her belief that much of the public's understanding of the justice system is based on popular culture, and social media, and decidedly not the rule of law. As she turns 50 and struggles with the corrosive effect on women of becoming invisible, Marie doubles down on being even more highly visible and opinionated as she deconstructs, among other things, the otherness of the immigrant experience (Where are you really from?), the pros and cons of being a household name in this country, opening her own boutique law firm, and the likes of Martha Stewart and her commoditization of previously unpaid female labour. Nothing But the Truth is refreshingly unconstrained and surprising--a woman at the top of her game in a male-dominated world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Law, Canada, Biography, Autobiography, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2021

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing but the Truth is excellent. Absolutely excellent! I am grateful to Libro.fm for the ALC.

If you've come for a defense of any kind, you will not receive it. There is nothing to defend. If you've come looking for details about the cases in which Henein was involved, you will not find them. This is a book about Marie Henein. It is her story first and foremost. She speaks of her family, her career, and her unending passion for criminal law and democracy.

In the moments where her story includes the lives of others, you will find people described with dignity, care, and deep respect. I love a memoir that includes tributes to people who have helped shape the author!

What I found most compelling, however, are the sections in which Henein defends democracy. Because of the nature of her career, so much of her day cannot be described in detail without divulging protected information. So, Henein pivots to a discussion of the ways in which the Canadian justice system operates as a democratic institution and the strengths and limitations therein.

This is a cleverly crafted memoir in which Henein reveals only what she wants readers to know. Yet, she does so in such a way that still made me feel completely enthralled by her story.

Full disclosure: I was one of those people who just could not understand how Henein could defend a particular client?! I was wrong. Full stop.

Obviously, that thinking is sexist and discriminatory. I was, in effect, questioning why a woman would be doing this job and I have never once questioned why a man did that very same job. During one of the trials in which she received a lot of media attention, I was making an unfortunate point I now regret. My father, a criminal lawyer, said "she is doing an excellent job for her client." End of discussion. He was correct then, and he remains correct right now.

The only part of this book that bothered me was the repetitive essentialist language around gender like "half the world's population" and "the opposite sex." These phrases occurred numerous times. I'm trans. Living proof, protected by the Charter thank you very much, that we are no longer forced to approach sex and gender in binary terms. I found it odd that Henein remains committed to repeating these phrases so often even as she critiques the limitations of sexism and misogyny. Why not join us in gender expansive language?! Why continue to use these reductive and outdated refrains?

So, aside from Henein's relatively basic and essentialist approach to language around gender, this is a great book. Nothing but the Truth is an opportunity to spend a few hours with a fierce lawyer, a brilliant scholar, and an empathetic person who loves her family deeply. I highly recommend this book. Five stars.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enigma lets us in.

First off, I love the images that started every chapter and all the images interspersed throughout the book.

I’ve always been intrigued by this woman, although parts of me were confounded by her when I’d first heard and seen her during the now infamous trial of a once legendary, now disgraced abuser scumbag. I’m mad at myself for mentioning him in a review of her book, but I’m sure she knows that that’s how most of the Canadian public were introduced to her.

For those who are unfamiliar, Marie Henein is a prolific Toronto-based Criminal Defence Lawyer. She’s the 15th most powerful person in the City according to Toronto Life Mag and one of Toronto’s Top 25 most influential lawyers. The women in the legal field in Toronto that I know, and I know a few, either completely love her (most), or completely hate her, there is no middle ground.

Marie Henein is an unapologetic leader who does what she has to do. She’s completely aware of the failings and blindspots of the Canadian justice system and she knows the ways that the system has been created to keep women in law out of it, running away from it or to keep them second-guessing themselves, all of which she refuses to do.

I enjoyed the look into her private/public life. I went down the rabbit hole with her as she tore through so many of the points of contention that have become stuck in her craw due to her being a visible, non-white, non-male, shoulder-baring leader in the legal field. A titan in the truest sense.

Nothing But the Truth finds her reflecting, dusting off the dirt that folks have wrongly thrown on her name, talking to her peers in the field as well as future hopefuls in the field, dropping gems and showing us that it’s nothing but hard work, persistence, and the ability to be spicy that’s going to get you ahead in life. She’s professional, insightful, inspiring and reserved. I respect her grind.

More musings on her book can be found here, here and here.

[suitonfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a female lawyer in Toronto and have met Marie before. She gave me some wonderful advice as I was about to begin my career which I will always cherish. After reading this book, that advice feels so much more meaningful. Our lives mirrored one another in ways I could have never imagined. I am so grateful to her for taking the time to write this for people like me to read. I will definitely be rereading this for years to come and want to give the audio book a listen to hear these words come to life.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone with even a fleeting interest in the criminal justice system should read this book. In the interests of disclosure (ha ha), I am a lawyer, and I am not among the people who wonder how Marie Henein could possibly do her job and sleep at night. In contrast, I have always deeply respected her as a lawyer, particularly her unwavering commitment to her work and to the proper functioning of the democracy we enjoy.

However much I may have thought I knew her as a lawyer, I never believed I knew Marie Henein as a person (I suspect very few of us do). This book provides not only her views on the legal system and the role of defence counsel but also invaluable insight into her life growing up in an immigrant family in Toronto. The early chapters provide snapshots of her childhood and young adulthood that give the reader some semblance of an understanding of Marie “the person” - the daughter, sister, niece, wife and mother - as opposed to merely the lawyer. Seeing Marie Henein in action in the courtroom you would be hard-pressed to imagine her excitedly dragging her brother to see the Ice Capades, partying in drag clubs in New York with family members, or getting teary watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

At a point in the book she quotes her eldest son who complained one day as he was cross-examined (about his day at school or something equally innocuous) that he wanted to speak to Marie “his mother” rather than Marie “the lawyer”. In response she explained to him, and in the same breath explained to the reader, that there simply is no separation between the two. It is not an act, not a “schtick”, it’s just Marie.

Great book. 5/5.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, you know what?? It's worth it.

I was one of those who thought "what? how could she??" I wasn't out protesting, but I was thinking it, talking like that with my friends, etc. I mean it's a visceral reaction, explainable, understandable.

In this book, Henein answers it. Directly. Clearly. She explains how she could, and it's convincing. There's no bullshit - she answers the question and then she doesn't stop there. She addresses head on the related and surrounding stupidity around females in powerful positions. Intelligent women. Strong women. Is this a feminist manifesto? Kind of - I guess it depends how you define it.

This is an excellent read and it moved me, emotionally and on the level of self-reflection. I myself have an executive job, and I question lots and lots and LOTS of factors around it. All the ones you'd guess - how I can fully mother and fully do my demanding job? how do I pull off "the look?" do people have confidence in me, and if so, why? when are they going to figure out that I don't deserve this job?

The line in the book that I cannot shake is this: "If I hear one more woman claim to have imposter-syndrome, I'm going to scream." Yikes. I think it all the time, and say it out loud in the company of safe people. She took me on, and I heard it. And by that time I'd forgotten that I picked up this book because of intense curiosity because of "what she's done" and how she was going to explain her way out of it. By that point in the book, I was completely convinced and even inspired by her.

Lots to learn here. Recommend for sure.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not what I expected! You see, I didn’t even realize it was a memoir until after I bought. I just jumped at the opportunity to hear Marie Henein’s version of what happens when you defend the accused. Alas, she covers this in a lone Chapter.

To her credit she said upfront that her discussions with her clients are privileged- which is well-known. However, how she makes her decisions to accept cases is not. I also expected more on how the justice system works and less on how she’s misunderstood.

Having her talks cancelled and being labeled “controversial” is not because of her wardrobe or makeup; it’s the result of the case of a notorious radio personality accused of sexually abusing women. The tactic of attacking the victims won the case, but did it serve justice?

The rest of the book biographical data and it’s both very endearing and representative of immigrants’ experience. Being an immigrant myself I could relate to many of her parents’ dilemmas. I love the family as if they were my own. However this is not why I bought the book!

[Wendelle]

Sharp as tack, tough as nails, brilliant and meticulous as only a legal mind whittled by courtroom battles can be, Marie Henein lives and breathes criminal law. She's been at the eye of storms of controversy, quite unfairly maligned by an audience that conflates the lawyer with the crime or criminal. In actuality the role of the criminal lawyer is an indispensable stitch in the judicial fabric and pursuit of eventual justice. The criminal lawyer must defend the presumption of the innocence of the accused to the highest standards, so that the prosecutor and judge are challenged to similarly elevate the standard of evidence upon which the final verdict of guilt or liberation will rest on. The criminal lawyer is not there to act out as judge or jury, but to, quite figuratively, be the devil's advocate. This is important because the ultimate liberty of the individual, the accused, is at stake at the end, to be reinstituted or taken away. It's also important because criminal cases often become the historical basis that define the limits of laws, or the scope of the powers of the police or the state. Apart from this, the book devotes chapters to Marie Henein's fiercely devoted relationships with her close-knit family, and her deeply interesting family history. It's an immigrant story that undulates back and forth between North America and the Middle East, from Cairo to Vancouver to Lebanon to Toronto, as the family sought a new home with security and stability after (according to her account) Nasser's ascent rendered times difficult for Maronite Christians at that moment. Whether you will conclusively agree with it or not--this is a worthy read from a woman who uncompromisingly stayed true to herself-- from the trajectory of her career, to her brand and image/fashion choices.
PS I don't have a preexisting personal opinion of Marie Henein and my impressions of her are solely from this book.

[Schahin Shirazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailed and recognised as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada, Marie Heinan has authored a spectacular, important and perspicacious memoir - a concise portrayal to the breadth of democracy and justice system in contemporary society.

In the midst of a blizzard at Toronto, I found myself snug in front of the fireplace in the company of an extraordinary woman's journey and thoroughly relishing each page of Nothing But the Truth. Heinan's memoir traces the story of Arab feminism through dynamic resistance of Teta, her Palestinian grandmother, mingled with the important role of Marie's mother, Evelyn, a cosmopolitan Egyptian whose credence towards her daughter is magnificent. There is no doubt that these women are partly responsible for cultivating the eloquent account of a top national defence lawyer, a beautiful woman, whose nomadic spirit itself is a symphony of utterance at once ardent and profound in a male-dominated world. Her words matter. She vociferates against the gender stereotypes at all levels and is unapologetic in filling a crucial gap in addressing societal issues.

Thus spoke Marie Heinan:

"At a black-tie ceremony where I was inducted as a member, I was with my husband, sitting beside another inductee and his wife. After regaling us with stories of her husband's professional success, the wife turned to me and said that I too must be brimming with pride at my husband's accomplishments. I responded that I was extremely proud of him, almost, in fact, as much as he was of me since I was the one being inducted into the college. Her face dropped, but without missing a beat she asked 𝘩𝘰𝘸 I could be a lawyer 𝘢𝘯𝘥 a mother. I responded that I hadn't thought about it, but perhaps she might ask her husband, who, apparently, had managed to miraculously be both a lawyer 𝘢𝘯𝘥 a father. The rest of the dinner was awfully silent." (pp 231-232).

Throughout the book, there is a prolific engagement between Marie and her reader - North America's most prodigious legal mind stops at nothing: recollecting memories of migration, forming strong alliances with the women in her life, exploring the widths and depths of judicial sysyem, acknowledging her Uncle Sam's colossal presence ensued by his heartbreaking death, and to weaving a vast net where her humanness in being human widens and widens in the legal arena. She recognises the hypocrisies in society, its unequal structures, its injustices, its clamour and she calls for essential dialogue (yes, Twitteratis do read this book !), and I share her optimism, perception and reflections on the dynamic human equations. In fact, few years ago whilst she defended a high profile case and the subsequent cogent interview with the anchor of CBC's The National Peter Mansbridge, I remember thinking her voice is important to eradicate invisibility - her contribution continues to be noteworthy.

I emigrated from East Africa three decades ago, yet, a huge part of me continues to question "where is home" - I shall never truly know or reconcile with such a perplex absent-present reality of belonging, however, I have learnt to live in my indomitable nomadic spirit akin to Marie's woven words which flow brilliantly on the pages; an algamation of her immigrant experience, professional triumphs, dignity, tears and laughter captivates and liberates. One does feel "At Home" with Marie Heinan - 'Nothing but the Truth'.

[Patricia Spindel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This came across as the story of a self-absorbed, irascible person with little insight into themselves. My sense was that this woman takes herself far too seriously and perhaps she should have listened to her gut and not bothered to write this book. Everything seems to annoy her and she seems proud of that - like too many people these days. Would have rather invested my time in reading a book that was more uplifting and thought provoking, which this one was not.

[Katey Townshend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what I was expecting with this one, but it was fantastic.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic and fearless. Marie Henein is a great Canadian.

[wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did not want to like her. in the beginning i did not. in the middle, though, i did. toward the end i did not.

i found this an interesting read and, of course, the author is a full, robust, all-feeling human being and not simply the criminal defense lawyer some of us came to know through her representation of our high profile public person. that is what she is trying to tell us.

her story is, by moments, so very touching and at others overly defensive; it blocks chapters of highly personal relatively blatant self-analyses against those of well measured jurisprudential natterings and it seems much more self-justifying than self-exploratory.

there is no doubt the author is a raging liberal feminist, demanding her rights to do in high heels and high fashion what men do in sensible shoes and button down collars. that is the shortcoming of the book for me though i am not sure why i expected anything different. well, i did not expect anything different but did not anticipate feeling so belaboured by it all.

yes, i read it out of curiosity.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Critical thinking is not as reflexive as you may first believe."

"The most commonly identified reason for women leaving the field is that they cannot handle the stress of both work and family. Implicit in this, at least for women, is that they should be handling both alone, or at least with very little help. Did anyone stop to ask themselves how it was that our male colleagues were able for years to manage the startling feat of having a career and a family without being driven from their chosen profession? The answer was obvious. They had help. Enormous help that allowed them the freedom to focus on themselves and their careers."

[John of Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book by a woman/lawyer who was excorciated by the media and twitterverse for having the effrontery to defend a man who had already been found guilty by accusation. I saw a televised interview on Canadian television and I became enthralled with Marie Henein. The interview mostly dealt with the law and the rights of the accused. She was asked how she feels when women say she betrayed them. Her answer: " I respect their right to say it. I don't respect their opinion or agree with it." She takes a lot of shots at media ,social and otherwise. I would like to hear more about her legal cases. I hope another book or several are in the works.
Most of this was about her family and was beautifully done. Despite being a bit of a hardass, she has a good sense of humour, and to read about her fashion choices and attitudes, I quickly learned that she is not your typical lawyer. I could drop quotes from the book all over the place but you all should read and enjoy for yourself.

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My initial opinion on Henein stems from her notoriety in the criminal defence world. We know the controversial figures she’s defended and we’ve made assumptions on who she is because of it, rightfully or wrongly. After being convinced by a friend to read this book after a long winded ramble about her polarization I took her advice.

I found myself intertwined in an engaging story of the Canadian dream, the criminal justice system and feminism.

Henein is a confusing feminist icon in Canadian history and her book rightfully defends the inherent need for criminal defence, accused rights and the constitution.

She’s also pretty funny and cool. While I may disagree with her on some of her opinions, overall I really enjoyed this book and her story. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to be challenged on their views of feminism and how we perceive the justice system.

[Liza Leshchynska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried at the end of 3 chapters. Deeply resonated with the aspects about her immigrant childhood, her relationship with her grandmother and how her death signified the leaving behind of culture and tradition in pursuit of a westernised life. Really appreciated her perspective on the criminal justice system, & women and the law. Would really recommend in audiobook!

[Amanda Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part immigrant story, part criminal law 101, part takedown of the patriarchy. If you are looking for juicy details about some of her notorious clients you won’t find it here (as she mentions several times, they are covered by solicitor-client privilege and she says are not her stories to tell). But she very directly answers the question of “how can you do what you do?” that will likely shut up any detractors. On top of that she is an excellent writer and despite her admission that she is “hard”, her stories about her family members were surprising touching.

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly an autobiography, this book also gives an analysis of the state of the law in Canada, and women and the law. A very interesting read.

[Derek London · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a memoir, Nothing But The Truth offers an arresting glimpse at an extremely relevant socio-political Canadian figure. Not a bad read, all things considered.

This book is marketed as a memoir, and certainly lives up to the expectation. I have little criticism there. Given some of the ferment Henein has been swept up in, however, I was hoping - and I believe I’m not alone in this - for a more legal/philosophic analysis of democratic society.

The work is not bereft of that, mind you. I would still characterize it as an impassioned treatise on the necessity of insulating judicial deliberation from cultural and political interference. Henein also takes great pains to champion her noble profession as the quintessential defense attorney. All of this was captivating and something Canadians should bother to read.

The trouble is it only represented three chapters in her book. I was starving for more. I was salivating for something a little more like former Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin’s memoir.

I would also say Henein came off pretty vain at times. I didn’t care to read so much about what went into the branding of her law firm. Look Marie, ‘u pwetty fly’, no one’s taking that away from you; but I should like to think Canadians are less surface than all that. And after exhausting what I assume were her publisher’s word quota (chic as they were) with the deflection, ‘Oh, I’m not trying to set trends; I’m just being the fashionista I’ve always been. It’s not really branding, IT’S ME,’ …meh, kind of comes off a bit obvious. WHO CARES about your bare arms and jet black hair! We care about your lawyering. ‘Cause you’re a damned good one! That’s what I came for, anyway.

All in all, worth the money. I loved reading about her exotic Arab lineage and her views on feminism which are difficult to caricature - Henein never preaches to the choir, that’s for damn sure! 3.5 out of 5 stars. But she left 1.5 stars on the table as I felt there were a number of missed opportunities.

[Tabitha TB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me ache with admiration and laugh from my belly. “The Director of Funland Security” — what her sons call her, and “I’m your lawyer not your fucking therapist,” —what she once said to a client, are two choice phrases that kept me amused for days.

She only alludes to the Ghomeshi trial but I appreciated the context she gave to her unapologetic involvement, because embarrassingly, I needed it.

And lastly, the family history that makes up the first half of the book were, in my opinion, the most enjoyable bits. I’m going to buy this book for so many people.

[Winyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very interested to read this, just given the amount of press written about her. The first section of the book talks about her family members, and while well written, not what interested me, since none of it really led to her life decisions (at least, she didn't reflect well on how they did).
Henein writes at a high level about her law career, but it was moreso her thoughts on her career as opposed to explanation or reflection. She doesn't show vulnerability much in the book. Honesty, yes, but in a "let me tell you what people don't get, let me tell you my thoughts on this" way.
Maybe the fact that she doesn't talk about her husband or children is her way of taking a stance at a memoir written by a woman requiring talking about how she fell in love, what being a mother is like...

[Sara Dick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: my formerly-beloved brother is going through the criminal justice system for heinous crimes, so I can't even pretend to be unbiased.

***I won't respond to any comments on this review****

For a more balanced view of her work (in my opinion, anyway) see here: https://torontolife.com/city/marie-he...

Okay, back to Marie's book:

Marie spent much of the book arguing that everyone deserves adequate representation and a fair trial -- NO DUH! This fantastic strawman allowed her to avoid discussing some major problems with the Canadian justice system:
- the underfunded Crown (although she did mention this in an interview with Peter Mansbridge)
- poorly prepared victims (again, I'm biased because I know a few of my brother's victims)
- problematic defence tactics in court (even Toronto Life touched on this! 🤦‍♀️)

As I said to my mother-in-law after a long argument, I get that you like Marie. I do! But I need a little more than just woman ✔️ status ✔️ money ✔️
.... And Marie almost gave it to me!
I loved this: "you're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..." 🎵 Her firm's marketing sounded clever and I'm sad I missed it before she -- perhaps wisely -- deleted it.

There's one measly paragraph about her advocacy work; I would've liked to read more about this.

... But otherwise her book was boring and uninsightful.

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Henein's memoir is filled with intense and emotional memories, a fascinating story of a young girl who grew up in a tightknit family with strong female role models and after years of study and hard work, created a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer and now heads her own law firm in Toronto. Henein is recognized for her skill in the court room, known for her quick ability and her laser like focus . She knows how to cut to the chase and leaves no stone unturned in providing her clients with the best she can muster. Henein has come to be known for the many high-profile clients she has defended as well as her high-profile fashion choices, complete with Yves St Laurent handbags and Louis Vuitton four-inch heels. Years of working with Eddie Greenspan and appeal lawyer Marc Rosenberg, helped her develop and hone her skills in the courtroom, ultimately becoming one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country, a field largely dominated by men. She is headstrong, tough, does not wilt under pressure and is superbly confident, a demeanor which has gained her the reputation of being “hard”. She admits she is not the soft, warm fuzzy type, but insists she is not all hard edges and has “more than one gear”. After years of hard work, she has positioned herself as the go-to lawyer for rich and famous people who find themselves in trouble.

Henein goes back to the early years of her childhood, remembering the difficulties her Egyptian-Lebanese family experienced as newly arrived immigrants in Canada and the uncomfortable feeling of being an outsider among people who were not always welcoming. She has wonderful memories of her Teta (grandmother) and praises her mother Evelyn who is uncompromising, demanding and fierce, but who is also her best friend, trusted confidant and toughest critic. Her mother was angry at how women were treated and the limited options available to them in her culture and vowed her daughter would not face that kind of life. She raised Marie to be an independent woman who would never rely on a man to live a happy and fulfilling life. Growing up Marie was taught that there was nothing a man could do that she could not do herself and she should never depend on a man for anything. Those lessons repeated many times, have stuck.

Among those important in her life was her Uncle Sammy, her mother’s brother who she adored. Sami was creative, flamboyant, widely creative, and gay, a difficult lifestyle for a young man growing up in a devoutly Catholic family. Sami moved to New York City where he worked in design jobs and Marie visiting him every chance she could. He introduced her to the joys of shopping in the city at Barneys and Bergdorf’s, took her to the clubs and to her first drag show. In the summer before she started law school, Sami returned to Toronto and was diagnosed with full blown AIDS. This was in the early years of the epidemic when effective treatments were not available and when those suffering the disease were demonized by the public and feared by the staff caring for them. Marie’s family had difficulty accepting Sami condition but Marie visited him every day and was at his side when he died. She still has difficulty talking about it.

Henein enjoys the law, both practicing it and talking about it and uses this opportunity to explain how the criminal justice system works, giving readers a brief but effective course in Justice 101. She outlines the rights of the police, the accuser, the defendant, and the criminal defense lawyer, explaining how and why the system is so misunderstood by most of the public. She points out that the criminal justice system has only one function, to ensure the state has proved a case beyond a reasonable doubt; it does not deliver retribution, vindication, or closure.

Henein has taken on some tough high-profile cases, such as that of Gian Ghomeshi and Marcia Dooley (accused of murdering her seven-year-old stepson) and been the object of the wrath and derision some in the public feel free to hurl her way. The rule of law provides for everyone charged to have the best defense from their lawyer; her role is not to judge the guilt or innocence of her client, but ensure the legal truths in the system are upheld. She defends the client, not his or her crime.

Henein has not enjoyed turning fifty, an event that has challenged her. She remains a tiny, curvaceous woman who looks a decade younger than her stated years, who devotes time and attention on her edgy look. She loves cosmetics and playfully suggests she would slap on cream made from whale plasma if she thought it would help keep her face looking youthful! The persona she presents is based on a carefully selected, designer wardrobe and she admits she spends an obscene amount of money on clothes. She loves shopping anywhere for anything, finds it therapeutic; fashion is her hobby -- a distraction and an escape from her the intensity of her work.

Henein has much to say about the role of women in a society where women’s work is often unpaid. Among those who come under her scrutiny is Martha Stewart who she believes has reinforced the belief that women must always be perfect mothers and homemakers. She deplores the fact so many women are leaving the profession, pressured by the demands of work and motherhood. When asked how she has managed to have a happy marriage, two sons and such a successful career, she credits the support of her husband but simply says she just does it.

This is a very good read. Henein knows herself well, loves the work she does and uses this book to say something about herself, her profession, and the justice system. Now recognized as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country, it was fascinating to read about her life, her incredible academic and professional discipline and how she managed to gain the reputation she now enjoys.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was apprehensive about tackling this book, and in the end I thumbed through it. The lawyer who spoke for a sex offender like Jian Ghomeshi and then later represented the "Me Too" movement for women who had been victims of sex offenses seemed like a contradiction and I wanted to know more about these opposing acts. However, this book seemed like a superficial read into the description of challenges as a female lawyer in her 50's. Not interesting or engaging enough, or maybe even honest enough(?) to read. I believe that we all have a story to tell, but Henein's is not worth hearing.

[Jo-anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lawyer’s book without a law story? Not at all what I was expecting,but turns out this should have been on my reading list as soon as it was published. I needed to read about Henein’s commitment to determining criminal responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt. I lost so much respect for her because of her ferocious cross-examination of the women during the defence of her client Jan Ghomeshi. I am now prepared to accept that society permitted the behaviour of women I believe were abused to appear suspicious, creating reasonable doubt, by embracing those same biases. Henein did the job her client hired her for. One principle (Role of Lawyers) specifically holds that “lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.” I accept that this does not mean she let women down. Her fiery words demonstrate that she is a fierce advocate for equality at all levels for all.
This book introduced me to a sharp mind, a talented lawyer, an unapologetic fashion loving 50 year old immigrant woman. In her words “I am from my Palestinian Teta, my urban Egyptian mother, and my blue-eyed Lebanese father. I am from my beautiful uncle Sami, my funny brother, and my empathetic cousin. I am from my Canadian children and my kind husband and my warrior women friends.”
After reading Henein’s cautionary message of the danger of the demise of our legal system at the hand of government, I am very aware that the Canada I admire needs her on watch.

[Tom Axworthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Henein , one of Canada's best known lawyers, has written her memoirs, long on her family life, with nothing about the cases that have brought her fame.This is a deliberate choice as she states that lawyer- client privilege prevents her dishing details.But it is a scintillating read despite the surprise of not being able to enjoy insider gossip.Henein is an Arab Canadian with family roots in Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon. She writes with wit and insight about growing up as an immigrant outsider then with the same insights about what it is like to be a woman defence lawyer.There are tender moments in the book: she writes lovingly of a favorite Uncle who introduced her to New York ( and later died of aids).And teaching moments too- she has excellent chapters on the justice system and why trial by jury and the necessity to defend all is a cornerstone of our democratic system.What shines through the stories though is her larger than life personality- tough, argumentative, restless, fearless and very, very thorough. One story that shows this is her anecdote that one Christmas season as other law firms were sending out saccharine cards she sent a video card with herself as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas crumbling cookies, spitting out egg nog and fostering the Henein brand- a bad ass unafraid to take on all comers.Who wouldn't want this woman in your corner?

[Adrian]

Canada's most high profile lawyer writes a memoir. Very entertaining on her family- her mother, father, brother and Uncle Sami. After the personal stuff she has a chapter on how the public and politicians abuse our justice system, a chapter on how women have to be disabused of the notion they can have it all and another on the hypocrisy of the legal system towards women. One quibble is how often she uses US examples to make her points. She is a Canadian lawyer after all. Very ably defends her reputation as a bad-ass lawyer.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning the formative time of Henein’s life, and appreciated the deep care she took in describing the people close to her and who took part in a lot of her formation. The chapter on Sami was especially loving and a fitting tribute for someone so important to her life.

What set the book apart was her clear passion and articulation of democracy, the law, and the role of the defence. I feel smarter for having read those sections.

I came for the writing on democracy, but stayed for her views on feminism.

Worthwhile read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING. I was transfixed from the start to the end. Descriptions of the lives of a family of new immigrants to Canada and the meshing of old and new cultures together - descriptions so vibrant you feel part of it. Blunt honesty about being a lawyer, being a woman in a society that doesn’t quite “get” you, ignoring antiquated traditions and forging your own path, owning your decisions and being exactly who you are. One of the most inspiring and worthwhile books I’ve read in ages.

[Sam Kimura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an eye opening memoir. I thought I would be listening to stories about the clients she has defended, but Marie has too much class and integrity for that. Instead she talks about what it means to be a female lawyer in Canada, her family and their connection to her work ethic, and the meaning of democracy. I definitely changed my opinion about what it means to be a defense lawyer and I gained a great deal of respect for her.

Such a good read. 5⭐ for sure.