Yola S. Ventresca
Managing Partner
Lerners LLP
Yola Ventresca is the Managing Partner at Lerners LLP, practicing in London, Ontario. She received her B.A. (Honours) from Huron University College, her LL.B. from Western University, and her LL.M. from the University of Toronto. She was called to the bar of Ontario in 2006.
A seasoned and decorated litigator, Ms. Ventresca engages in a diverse practice at Lerners. She is a member of the firm’s education, health law, and labour and employment practice groups. Ms. Ventresca has represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario. She is also the founder and chair of the firm’s workplace investigation team. In this capacity, she is called upon to investigate highly complex and contentious matters arising from conflicts in the workplace, both unionized and non-unionized.
Both peers and members of the London community recognize Ms. Ventresca as a leader. Her accolades include: Top 20 Under 40 Award (Business London, 2016), Lexpert Rising Star designation (2017), inclusion in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and Best Lawyers in Canada. Ms. Ventresca is also a two-time recipient of the “Female Trailblazer Award” (Canadian Lawyer Magazine). She was recognized by her local Member of Parliament through inclusion in the North London Honour Roll. This designation recognizes Londoners whose actions have inspired others to build a strong, supportive, and inclusive community. Ms. Ventresca’s inclusion on this list reflects, among other things, her significant advocacy to support, sponsor, and retain women in private practice.
Most recently, Ms. Ventresca was honoured to be named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Laura Legge Award, awarded annually by the Law Society of Ontario to a woman who has demonstrated leadership in the profession.
Outside of her practice, Ms. Ventresca engages in a myriad of activities and initiatives aimed at bettering the profession. Ms. Ventresca is a past Chair of the (now) Mid-Career Standing Committee of the Advocates’ Society. She is a prolific speaker and writer on a variety of topics, frequently contributing to peer-reviewed publications. Committed to legal education, Ms. Ventresca has chaired numerous conferences and has held the role of adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law, Western University, where she also sits as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council.
Ms. Ventresca is also committed to various charitable endeavours. Her leadership extends through active involvement in professional and community organizations, serving as Secretary of the Board of Governors of her alma mater, Huron University College, and as a Director of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (“LEAF”).