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Liban Abokor is the Founder and Managing Partner of Reimagine LABS, a data analytics firm that harnesses AI for service design in the social and public sectors. He co-authored the "UNFUNDED" report, which revealed philanthropic disparities affecting Black Canadian communities. He co-founded the Foundation for Black Communities which was established as Canada’s first philanthropic foundation dedicated to investing in Black communities. Liban volunteers as a board member with the Samara Centre for Democracy, Shoot For Peace and Toronto's Economic Development Advisory. He holds a Doctor of Laws from Carleton University.
Tech Founder | Board Director | Research Fellow | Philanthropy
Audrey Ackah has extensive experience as a trusted advisor in the educational sector on legal, governance, and policy matters. She has experience in a variety of areas of law including education, human rights, administrative, contract, labour, information, and privacy law.
Since 2022, Ms. Ackah has been General Counsel at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). In her role, she reports to the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University and is a member of the President’s Executive Team. As the principal legal officer for the University, Ms. Ackah provides legal counsel and advice to the University’s Board of Governors, President and Senior Management. Ms. Ackah provides strategic and operational consultative support, advice, and recommendations on a wide range of legal issues including legal liability, agreements, insurance, conflicts of interest, administrative law, human rights, privacy, and policy development and application. Ms. Ackah leads a legal team which includes lawyers, a paralegal and administrative staff.
Before joining UFV, Ms. Ackah was Legal Counsel and Privacy Officer at the BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) where she provided legal and policy advice to public school boards, school district senior staff, association staff, committees, and the BCSTA board of directors. In her role as the leader of the BCSTA’s legal department, Ackah had a variety of responsibilities including managing and mentoring legal support staff, developing and managing the legal department finances, managing external counsel, and identifying technology and other resources to support the work of the legal services department. She supported the board of directors of the association on legal, policy, governance and risk management issues. Ms. Ackah also represented the BCSTA on provincial government committees related to education, risk management, and local government elections.
Prior to her work with the BCSTA, she practised law with the Law Society of British Columbia, law firm of Harris & Company and the law firm Davis and Company LLP (now DLA Piper Canada). She was a BC legislative intern and had the opportunity to work in a government ministry and to work with members of the Legislative Assembly.
Ms. Ackah has served on the CABL BC Chapter executive including holding the positions of Chapter President and Secretary.
She received her law degree from the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in the same discipline from the University of BC.
General Counsel, University of the Fraser Valley
Shetin Adams is an accomplished project coordinator with a strong background in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and talent recruitment. Currently at Caldwell, an international executive search firm, Shetin helps manage legal recruitment practices across in-house, private practice, and public sectors in BC, Alberta, and Ontario. Her leadership extends beyond recruitment, as she plays a pivotal role in Caldwell’s DEI Council and leads the "Caldwell Learns" initiative, a monthly series that explores critical DEI topics across the firm.
With five years of experience in the recruitment industry, Shetin excels in aligning client and candidate needs by taking a holistic approach to talent matching. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces and reducing minority stress, which she integrates into both her project work and DEI efforts. Dedicated to continuous learning, she is currently completing a certificate in instructional design and adult education. Outside of work, Shetin is an active communications volunteer with Vancouver Pride, where she contributes to community outreach and supports LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives, and she previously served as a youth coordinator with the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Calgary, where she contributed to youth engagement and community development.
Nerissa Allen is a dynamic community leader and entrepreneur dedicated to fostering economic prosperity within the African Diaspora. As the Co-Founder and President of the Black Business Association of BC, she drives progressive change to empower Black businesses across BC and Canada.
With over 20 years of experience as a federal public servant, Nerissa has significantly contributed to organizations such as the Barbados Cultural Association of BC and the Vancouver Economic Commission Advisory Board. Her impactful work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2021 Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Social Trail Blazer award and recognition as one of BIVBC’s 500 most influential leaders in 2023. Additionally, she was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians by AfroGlobal TV in both 2022 and 2024, and named one of the 100 Most Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2024.
Actively committed to supporting non-profit organizations, Nerissa Allen Consulting re-imagines how organizations engage with their audiences by developing innovative hybrid business growth strategies and integrating advanced technology. Her efforts promote a more inclusive and robust economic environment for all.
Natasha Allen is a partner based in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices of Foley & Lardner LLP, where she serves as Co-Chair for Artificial Intelligence within the firm’s Innovative Technology sector and Co-Chair of the Venture Capital Committee. Natasha counsels companies on debt, equity, and venture capital financing, buy and sell-side M&A transactions, corporate governance, and commercial matters across a variety of areas including Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, robotics, Augmented/Virtual Reality, and telecommunications.
Andrew is a past present and long time board member of CABL.
He serves on the Steering Committee of the Fasken Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice group and frequently works in the IT and outsourcing space, Andrew advises clients on the challenges and complexities of commercializing, acquiring and implementing technology solutions; and also works with private companies on M&A transactions, frequently across borders. Andrew regularly advises on complex ERPs, system implementations, IT and business process outsourcings, bancassurance outsourcings, cloud and SaaS arrangements, software licensing and commercial due diligence and the technology aspects of M&A transactions, including transition services arrangements. His experience also extends to a variety of Internet and e-commerce matters, and to the legal and regulatory aspects of online gambling in Canada.
Andrew is active in the Black legal community having been a long time executive board member and past President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, Co-chair of the NBA CLS CLE Committee, past co-chair of the Toronto Hosting Committee for the 2017 National Bar Association Annual Convention. Andrew is also President of Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH Law).
Karen Ameyaw is a practising lawyer with over 14 years of experience and currently is a Senior Prevention Advisor at the Workers’ Compensation Board of BC (WorkSafeBC). Karen also works part-time as an adjudicator for the Law Society of British Columbia Tribunal, Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board and Property Assessment Appeal Board. Karen holds a BA (Criminology) from Simon Fraser University and a LL.B from the University of Victoria. In 2010, as an articling student, she helped establish the BC chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. In addition to her professional roles, Karen is actively involved in her community and sits on the board of governors for the Law Foundation of BC.
Cecilia Barnes is Counsel at Lawson Lundell, specializing in Technology Law and Privacy within the Corporate Commercial Group. Her expertise lies in delivering business-centric legal advice to technology companies, aimed at identifying solutions and mitigating risks. Her insights are enriched by her experience as an in-house counsel at leading firms, enabling her to provide comprehensive guidance to a diverse set of technology sector participants, including start-ups, growth-stage companies, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Cecilia’s experience spans various industries, where she has advised clients on business matters, including drafting and negotiating intricate technology-related contracts for the procurement, supply, or distribution of technology subscriptions, licensing, and cloud computing (SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS agreements).
In addition to this, Cecilia offers her expertise to start-ups and scale-ups on a wide array of matters. These include negotiating strategic partnerships, developing legal operations, drafting precedent master agreements, and advising on data security, outsourcing, privacy and compliance programs and policies.
Before joining Lawson Lundell, Cecilia served as the lead commercial lawyer at a rapidly growing company that experienced exponential scaling during her tenure and eventually went public. She also held the position of Director of Legal at a SaaS company operating within a highly regulated industry.
Cecilia is an active member of her community. She is President of the British Columbia Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and has served as director of the Black Female Lawyers Network.
Michael St. Patrick Baxter is Senior Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C. A graduate of Harvard Law School (LL.M.) and Western University (LL.B.), he is a former law clerk to the Chief Justice of Ontario. He is regularly recognized in CHAMBERS USA: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS.
Mr. Baxter is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, and a Founding Member of the International Insolvency Institute. He served on the U. S. Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules by appointment of the Chief Justice of the United States.
Mr. Baxter is an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School, where he has taught for over two decades and was awarded the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award. He has published extensively in the bankruptcy field and is a contributing editor of NORTON BANKRUPTCY LAW AND PRACTICE 3D.
Mr. Baxter has served for over 20 years as Chair of the D.C. Road Show, an organization dedicated to outreach to African-American law students. He has been recognized for his seminal article on Canadian corporate law firms: Black Bay Street Lawyers and Other Oxymora, published in the CANADIAN BUSINESS LAW JOURNAL.
Senior Counsel | Adjunct Professor of Law
Justice Alexandre Bien-Aimé Bastien holds a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Laws from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, a Certificate of Legal Education from the Hugh Wooding Law School, and a Master of Laws from Harvard University. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 2010 and the New York Bar in 2016.
Justice Bien-Aimé Bastien is fluent in French, English and Haitian Creole. He was a partner with Shadley Bien-Aimé LLP, where he specialized in criminal law. Prior to entering private practice in Montréal, he clerked with the Honourable Thomas A. Cromwell at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Over the years, Justice Bien-Aimé Bastien has taught various courses in criminal matters at the Faculty of Law at McGill University, and he co-authored the book Criminal Procedure: Cases and Materials. He was also an instructor, notably at events organized by the National Judicial Institute and the Association des avocats et avocates de la défense de Montréal. He was a member of the board of directors of CAIJ and the Quebec branch of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. He also served for several years on the board of Pour 3 Points, an organization dedicated to training sports coaches so that they can play a transformative role in the lives of the young people they coach.
Dr. Kofi Bonnie is the Director of the Mental Health Serviceline Northwest Network Peace Health. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana, a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. He completed a doctorate in Nursing Practice from Yale University and brings a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience across three continents. He is a highly skilled and versatile practitioner and has held roles such as Health Care Assistant, Psychiatric Nurse, Nurse Scientist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator, Adjunct Professor and Director of Nursing. His 20+ years of varied clinical and managerial experience includes working in acute psychiatric setting for adults and pediatric populations, substance use services, behavioral health clinics, geriatric and early psychosis intervention programs. Dr. Bonnie is a dynamic mental health advocate and is passionate about improving mental health outcomes for all, especially marginalized individuals and communities.
Director of Behavioral Health Service Line NWN
Freda Bonnie is an experienced In-House Legal Counsel with a demonstrated history of working in the civil engineering industry. Skilled in Contract Law, Procurement Law, Construction Law, Privacy Law, Corporate Law and Dispute Resolution.
Dakota Bundy is an associate at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, with a practice that focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, general corporate and commercial law, and assisting and advising clients with regulatory issues in various industries. Through her professional and personal pursuits, including her role as co-chair of the Cassels 2SLGBTQ+ Affinity Group and mentor for the Osgoode Black Law Students Association, Dakota has shown an unwavering commitment to empowering the Black community and other equity-seeking groups. During law school at Queen’s University, she was awarded the Royal Society of Canada’s Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Award, the Dean’s Council Diversity Award, and played a key role in implementing the Black Student Applicant Category for the Queen’s Law admissions process.
Associate, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Born and raised in Nigeria, Kene Ilochonwu, KC obtained his law degree from Abia State University and licensure from the Nigerian Law School Abuja in 2000. He subsequently obtained a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow before relocating to Calgary in 2007. Prior to requalifying as a lawyer in Alberta, Kene worked as a supply chain professional for oil and gas majors in Fort McMurray and Calgary for several years.
In 2020, Kene was elected Bencher at the Law Society of Alberta. He understands the value of giving back and is deeply involved in volunteering for various causes in the community. Kene has received several prestigious accolades for his work in the community, including the 2022 Immigrants of Distinction Leadership and Diversity Award, the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Medal for significant contributions to the community and the Province of Alberta, the Alberta Newcomer Recognition (Career and Academics Contribution) Award in 2023, and a profile by Airdrielife Magazine as one of the 10 Airdrie Men We Admire for 2023.Kene is also an Assistant Professor teaching Business Law at Brookes College and serves as a mentor to internationally trained lawyers through Global Lawyers of Canada, and immigrants through the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. He sits on the Boards of Calgary Black Chambers, Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council, Global Lawyers of Canada and the Anglican Diocese of All Nations.
Christina J. Cook is a First Nations woman; specifically, she is Status Indian and a proud member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (signatory to Treaty #1).
Christina is a senior policy lawyer with the First Nations Justice Council. Christina was called to the bar in 2010. During her legal practice she has worked as in-house counsel for a large national insurer; private practice in both British Columbia and Manitoba; and most recently as a senior policy lawyer. Christina past experience is broad, including work in the areas of civil litigation, regulatory matters, and policy. She has appeared at all levels of Court in Manitoba and has appeared in the BC Supreme Court and BC Provincial Court.
Active in the community Christina has extensive board experience, community service and volunteer experience. Christina is an elected Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia, the Founder and Chair of the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (CBABC), Director of the Pacific Association of First Nations Women, Board Member of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police Board, and Past Chair of the Canadian Defence Lawyers D&I Committee. She holds her Bachelor of Arts from University of Winnipeg and her Bachelor of Laws Degree from University of British Columbia.
Charles Osuji is a multi-award-winning lawyer and the CEO of Calgary’s Osuji & Smith law firm. He was chosen as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 and one of the top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada. He has also been honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the Province of Alberta. From law school in Nigeria to law firm CEO in Calgary, Charles’ rise to the top has been swift, earning him a LEXPERT Rising Star recognition for Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40, and One of Canada’s 100 Most Influential Black Canadians. With over 100 local and national recognitions and awards in the last few years, he is now leading one of the fastest-growing mid-sized law firms in Calgary, Osuji & Smith, which has quickly become one of the largest black-owned law firms in Canada, and the largest in Alberta, with two locarions in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, and a presence in Dubai, Ottawa and Yukon. At an age when most lawyers are busy learning their craft, Charles is doing that plus ensuring he is providing mentorship and leadership for his staff of associate lawyers, legal assistants, and articling students.
Dr. Chika B. Onwuekwe, KC is the Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Trican Well Service Ltd., a foremost oil and gas service company. He sits on the Boards of ENMAX Corporation, the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Alberta Chapter. He was previously the first General Counsel at PTW Energy Services Ltd. Dr. Onwuekwe articled and subsequently practiced at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada (formerly Macleod Dixon LLP) and MLT Aikins LLP (formerly MacPherson Leslie Tyerman LLP) in Calgary. He was formerly an Assistant Professor of Law and Society at the University of Calgary, an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at LBS Pan African University, Lagos, Nigeria, Experienced Senior at KPMG International (Tax, Legal & Business Regulatory Division) Lagos office and a Consultant to both Justice Canada and Health Canada. Dr. Onwuekwe is a registered Canadian Trademark Agent, a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Alberta, the Association of General Counsel of Alberta, and an ACC Thought Leader. He is the Chair of BlackNorth Initiative Mentorship and Sponsorship Committee, and the Chair of BlackNorth Initiative Alberta Chapter (www.blacknorth.ca). Dr. Onwuekwe holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Rosemarie Davis is a distinguished lawyer and trusted advisor with over 20 years of legal experience in the areas of litigation, regulatory risk and compliance and corporate governance.
She is currently Director, Legal & Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer with Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. Before joining Allstate, Rosemarie served as the Assistant Vice President, Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer at Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada. Rosemarie has held other key roles as Compliance Manager at Canada Life Insurance Company of Canada, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Black and People of Colour Employee Resource Group, showcasing her dedication to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her diverse career also includes her role as Legal Consultant for a global executive car service startup, where she provided legal and compliance advise. Additionally, she served as in-house counsel at Intact Financial Corporation, specializing in complex civil litigation.
Rosemarie’s legal journey extends beyond Canada’s borders, as she practiced law in the United States, focusing on employment and commercial litigation. Her career also includes a judicial clerkship, demonstrating her commitment to the pursuit of justice.
In 2015, Rosemarie received the well-deserved recognition when she was named one of “Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch” by Canada International Black Women Excellence. This honour reflects her outstanding contributions and leadership in her field. Always committed to professional development, Rosemarie was selected as one of the inaugural participants in the Black North Academy C-Suite and Board Preparedness program and the Board Diversity Network – Ted Rogers School of Management, Executive Board Readiness Program. These prestigious programs have further enriched her knowledge and capabilities in corporate governance and leadership.
In 2024, Rosemarie was also named one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian (ABC) by 100ABC Women, for her support and advancement of Black women and girls, and her community contributions.
Rosemarie holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Rutgers Law School, and she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rosemarie is also committed to giving back to her community. For several years, she sat on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, holding a number of progressive leadership positions, the last of which included Vice-President. Currently, Rosemarie sits on the Board of Directors of The Prosperity Project, a non-profit aimed at mitigating the disparate impact of COVID-19 on Canadian women. She is also an active volunteer at Campfire Circle, a camp dedicated to supporting children and families affected by cancer. Rosemarie also shares her passion for fitness by teaching Alpha Conditioning classes at her favourite local gym and pursuing her own fitness journey in bodybuilding.
Patricia DeGuire is a Black woman who pushes boundaries to ensure access to justice, equality and equity. Before being appointed Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission in August 2021, Patricia served as a Deputy Judge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, on various tribunals and boards, and is known as an impactful mediator. She has played a leading role in many equity organizations, particularly related to racism, in particular anti-Black racism, gender equality and equity, and the wellbeing of youths.
Patricia is a constitutional law scholar, and an avid mentor and coach for young people and adults in the legal, medical, and other professions. Patricia is the recipient of many awards for her mentorship and public service.
Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Altus Group
Tracey-Ann Dobson-Hamilton is an adjudicator at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. In 2012, she articled with a legal clinic in Brampton, and then worked in private practice firms in Brampton and Mississauga for almost 5 years, focusing on various areas including contract, criminal, employment and family. In addition to working as a lawyer and mediator, she managed the mediation training program at her last firm where she trained other lawyers to become accredited family mediators.
Tracey-Ann has been a member of CABL since October 2017 serving on the Professional Development (PD) Committee. Currently, she is the Director of Professional Development, a role she started was elected to in March 2021 and re-elected in June 2023. She leads a dedicated team of legal professionals and students from various provinces to plan and execute development events. These events include CABL’s first 2-day legal conference held via Zoom in November 2021, and our first one (1) hybrid conference in 2022 in Ottawa. Previously she served on the PD Committee as a member
Theresa Donker Theresa Donkor is an associate at Rudnicki & Company. She practices criminal defence, with a focus on appeals from conviction and sentence at all court levels.
Racial justice is at the heart of Theresa’s practice. She is committed to fighting systemic racism in our criminal legal system and fearlessly advances race-based arguments in court. She has kept defendants out of jail in serious cases because of the need to remedy Black over-incarceration, has argued for the need to account for the harsh jail conditions faced by racialized prisoners, and has had her clients’ convictions overturned because their trial lawyer lacked the cultural competence to defend them effectively.
Theresa’s fierce advocacy extends beyond the courtroom. She often speaks to the media on topics of racial justice, social justice, and criminal law. She has appeared on prominent news networks including CBC, TVO, and CP24.
Theresa also serves as the Director of Advocacy of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyer, serves on the board of Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth, and is on the Young Advocates’ Standing Committee of The Advocates’ Society.
Mᵉ Patricia Fourcand, Ad.E, practices family law in Montréal with the firm FOURCAND, after having been a partner for more than 20 years with large national firm. Thanks to her recognized expertise in family litigation, her contribution to society and her actions for the benefit of the profession, she received the designation of Lawyer Emeritus from the Québec Bar in 2021. She is also a Fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of family law mediation for their 2021 to 2024 editions.
In addition to handling family and estate law matters for the firm’s various clients, Mᵉ Fourcand has been involved in complex cases such as child abduction, the validity of foreign and religious marriages, and multi-jurisdictional asset division.
Her commitment to family law led her to sit for several years on the Liaison Committee with the Superior Court in family matters. A sought-after speaker, she regularly gives speeches in this area of law both in Québec and abroad. Mᵉ Fourcand also has extensive experience in estate law, having handled thorny cases involving the division of family patrimony and the liquidation of matrimonial or civil union regimes.
Mᵉ Fourcand is also involved in causes aimed at recognizing the place of women lawyers in the profession. She has collaborated with the Québec Bar’s Justicia project and currently participates in the Panorama Committee for ethnocultural diversity and inclusion in the Québec legal profession. Through her commitment, she has influenced human resources practices in large law firms to make these institutions more representative by promoting openness and inclusion. She is also one of the lawyers who founded the Québec chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, which aims to recognize the presence of black lawyers in the profession, but also to defend the rights of members of the black community.
Finally, Mᵉ Fourcand sits on numerous boards of directors such as President of le Centre culturel afro-canadien de Montréal, la Fondation Michaëlle Jean and Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.
Managing Partner, Fourcand, Tremblay, Kissel, Plante.
Kyle Elliott is Counsel, Diversity and Inclusion at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes). In this role, he is responsible for collaborating with key stakeholders to promote the Firm’s internal diversity and inclusion strategy and initiatives. Kyle also leads the Firm’s diversity and inclusion outreach initiatives that are designed to attract students from diverse backgrounds to the practice of business law. As a result of his experience and impact, he is often called upon by our clients to offer insights and feedback on their efforts to build inclusive workplaces.
Kyle is an active member of the legal community, having served on the CABL Board since 2017. He is an individual member of the Law Society of Ontario's Equity Advisory Group, which provides advice to the Law Society on issues affecting diverse communities in the legal profession. Kyle also sits on the DEI Standing Committee of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), an association of legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices and law schools in North America and beyond. He is the DEI Liaison for NALP’s Canadian Section.
During his time at Osgoode Hall Law School, Kyle was the president of the Black Law Students’ Association and was also the national articling representative for the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada.
Lawyer | Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP || President, CABL
Terrance J. Evans is a Partner in the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices of Duane Morris LLP, where he serves as the Co-Leader of the firm’s Banking and Financial Services Practice. Mr. Evans is also the Co-Chair of the Duane Morris San Francisco Diversity and Inclusion Committee. His practice is focused on representing clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the United States including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Evans also regularly counsels clients regarding racial justice and diversity and inclusion issues. He has led dozens of diversity trainings for judges, lawyers, law students, and members of the community around the United States. Mr. Evans has won numerous multi-million dollar cases.
Mr. Evans is the Chair of the California Lawyers Association (“CLA”), the largest voluntary state bar association in the United States representing the interests of more than 260,000 California lawyers. Mr. Evans is the first person of color and the first Black person in California history elected to this high profile position. Mr. Evans is also the Director of Region IX of the National Bar Association, the largest Black Bar Association in the world. Mr. Evans is also Vice President North of the California Association of Black Lawyers (“CABL”), the umbrella organization for all Black bar associations and judicial organizations in California.
Mr. Evans is the Past President of the Charles Houston Bar Association, the oldest Black Bar Association in California. Mr. Evans is the Co-Founder and Past Chair of the Charles Houston Bar Institute; a foundation that provides scholarships to underprivileged students. Mr. Evans is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the CLA Racial Justice Committee; Past Chair of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association; Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Past Board Member of the Bar Association of San Francisco (“BASF”); Past Member of the BASF Judicial Evaluation Committee; Current Member of the BASF Finance Committee. Mr. Evans is a Member of the CABL Legislative Committee and Membership Committee.
In 2016, Mr. Evans was honored by the National Bar Association as one of the top African American attorneys in the USA under age 40. In 2017, he was honored by the Charles Houston Bar Association for his work promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In 2018, Mr. Evans was honored by the Minority Bar Coalition for his contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout California. In 2019, Mr. Evans was honored by New Dawn Vallejo for his work promoting diversity and inclusion and pro bono legal services. In 2020, Mr. Evans was recognized by Chambers for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the United States. In 2021, Mr. Evans was honored by the Bar Association of San Francisco and Justice and Diversity Center for his diversity and inclusion work in Northern California and throughout the United States. In 2021, Mr. Evans was also honored by American Lawyer Magazine as a Trail Blazer.
In 2022 and 2023, Mr. Evans was honored by the Los Angeles Times as being one of the foremost leaders on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the State of California. In 2022, Mr. Evans was also honored by the Minority Bar Coalition for a second time for his efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the United States. In 2023 and 2024, Mr. Evans was honored by the National Bar Association as the Regional Director of the Year for his work to promote DEI around the United States and around the world. In 2024, Mr. Evans received the Cunningham Award from the California Association of Black Lawyers for his efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and civil rights for all people. Mr. Evans also received the 2024 BWL LA Diversity Champion Award.
Mr. Evans has raised more than $600,000 for scholarships for underprivileged students. Mr. Evans also received a Distinguished Leader Award in 2024 from the California Legal Awards for his profound impact on the California legal community. Mr. Evans has also created five annual diversity scholarships that have provided more than $150,000 to under privileged students in the Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and LGBTQ Communities.
Henry Flowers is a Senior Manager in Risk Services at PwC Canada and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He serves as the Co-Chair of the PwC Canada Black Professionals Inclusion Network (BPIN) for Western Canada and is currently the Acting National Co-Chair. As a member of the Executive Team for PwC BPIN, Henry helps foster an inclusive environment for Black professionals and allies, ensuring that each individual feels valued, respected, and empowered in their professional development through initiatives focused on connection, mentorship, and leadership development.
Henry has undergone extensive upskilling in transformative technology through PwC's Digital Accelerator program and has recently taken on a role as a GenAI Activator, where he supports and drives GenAI-facilitated change initiatives within PwC Canada. Specializing in SOX Compliance and IT Audit, Henry is experienced in managing risks at the intersections of Enterprise Technology, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). His expertise in these areas enables him to help organizations navigate complex regulatory environments.
As Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ISACA Vancouver, Henry works to promote diversity and inclusivity within Vancouver’s professional community, particularly in IT risk management, governance of enterprise IT, information security, and IT assurance.
Co-Founder | Professor, Beedie School of Business | Director SFU Institute for The Black and African Diaspora Research and Engagement
Shawnnette Fraser is currently the AVP, Business Segments, Wealth Advice, and previously, District Vice President, supporting the Calgary North District, which consists of 20 Branches within Calgary and surrounding area. Throughout her tenure with TD, Shawnnette has been recognized multiple times for her outstanding leadership in sales management, business results and has a personal brand of attracting and developing our leaders of tomorrow. She is known for her ability to motivate and engage teams to exceed objectives in sales and customer experience and because of this, she has held progressively more senior roles within TD Canada Trust and across multiple business lines, in various cities in Alberta and British Columbia including Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary to name a few.
She started as a full-time agent with TD Bank, EasyLine/Phone Channel after finishing her Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Alberta. While completing her B. Comm., she also completed multiple courses related to banking including working towards her Professional Financial Planning designation.
Some of her previous roles include: ● Senior Regional Manager, Prairie Region: Managed a team of 12 Regional Sales Managers responsible for the upskilling, development and training of all retail branch employees across three Provinces & Territory while developing and executing on strategic initiatives/tactics that help TD Bank in the Prairie Region hit on business results and asks. ● Multiple Branch Manager Postings: Including Signal Hill Branch, one of the top 5 largest TD Bank Branches in Canada at the time. ● Manager Customer Experience & Strategies, Prairie Region: Created & implemented Customer Experience and Customer Problem resolution strategies, tools and resources that impacted results that were sustainable, while managing and coaching the Regional Team of 10 District Customer Experience Advisors & 3 Customer CARES officers ● Business Development Manager, Direct Investing: Responsible for bringing in over $210 million in new assets (Vancouver), $84 Million in assets (Calgary), and over $64 Million in assets (Rural Alberta) to new Discount Brokerage accounts, along with closed new business to the TD Waterhouse Wealth Partners, TD Mutual Funds ($28 Million in new assets). Coach, develop a Team of Business Development Associates and Manage a TD Waterhouse Branch.
She is the co-chair for the Wealth Advice Black Experience Inclusion & Diversity Council and the Alberta Region Lead for the Black Employee Network (BEN) which focuses on three pillars: 1) Increasing sponsorship and engagement in the Black Communities and important Black events in the Markets in which TD operates, 2) Advancing employee engagement, mentorship and career opportunities for Black colleagues and 3) Increasing recruitment and attracting Black talent to TD. She also supports other diversity pillars and is a strong ally of many communities. In addition to this initiative, Shawnnette is a National Media Spokesperson for TD Bank, representing TD in multiple radio, print, TV and in-person appearances and events. She was featured on and had a key role in TD's first, "TD Thanks you", #TDthanksYou video which went viral in the first week.
Shawnnette is an active volunteer in the community, whether it's with the ongoing mentorship programs she participates in her community volunteer work with Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity and CRIEC. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Centre for Newcomers; one of Canada's largest resources for new Canadian Immigrants and Refugees.
On a personal note, Shawnnette was born in British Guyana, South America and grew up in Edmonton. She loves to travel and tries to remain very active in soccer, boxing and yoga. She is the God Mother to 11 God Children and the proud Auntie to 5 nieces and nephews. Aside from spending time with friends and family, she loves cake designing, having created cakes that sold for up to $7500 at various charity and fundraising events within Calgary and Edmonton. She also loves riding her motorcycle!
A leader of people, kind, passionate community partner, friend and strategic thinker are some of the ways she has been described by her colleagues.
AVP, Business Segments | TD Wealth Advice | Board Member
Dr. Charles has completed a MD MSc degree from Universite de Montreal in 2010. Six years later she was certified in 3 Medical Specialities: Internal Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. She is currently the Division Head of the Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention and Control at Vancouver Coastal Health and is a Clinical Associate Professor at University of British Columbia. Her interest lies in more integrated diagnostics, increasing access and quality improvement. She currently oversees urogenital infections and molecular diagnostic at VCH. From an IPAC perspective, she is involved in laboratory assessment of self-disinfecting surfaces.
Sotonye Godwin-Hart is an Associate Lawyer at Koskie Glavin Gordon, a Union side labour relations firm. She has years of experience in civil litigation in Nigeria and in Canada and is a member of the Law Society of BC and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Sotonye holds an LL.M degree from the University of British Columbia with a focus on international trade and human rights and holds a business leadership certificate from the Rotman School of Management -University of Toronto. She is a published author on issues of trade and human rights and corporate social responsibility and disability rights. She is a board member of Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) BC and currently sits as a member of the Accessibility Committee of the BC Labour Relations Board and Employment Standard Tribunal. Outside of work she enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Delecia Graham is a charismatic forward thinker with a diverse skillset that leverages technology to achieve a compelling vision. Throughout her 20+ year career, Delecia has led scalable solutions to large business problems and driven revenue and market share growth for Charles Schwab, Holowesko Partners and most recently, TD Bank.
Regarded as a collaborative change agent, Delecia has led cross-functional teams who support institutional and high-net-worth investors in areas such as: Private Wealth Management, strategy, compliance, risk, trade surveillance, distribution and operations.
In her current role as Associate Vice President, Global Business Management & Governance at TD Bank, Delecia uses her love of technology and finance to support compliance teams across the Bank to reimagine the way they work.
A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), one of the top ten Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCU), Delecia holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Law. She is also a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS). Delecia delivers talks, is an avid reader and loves to travel.
After years at a mid-sized firm, where she was the team lead in the Indigenous Law Group, Lanise Hayes founded Hayes Law. For over 20 years she has worked closely with Indigenous communities and organizations on issues of governance, land use, employment law and social issues. Lanise is passionate about advocating for her clients. Lanise started her career as a criminal defense lawyer in Montreal and then moved to Italy, working as a legal consultant in Privacy and Data Protection Law. She speaks English, French and Italian.
She is passionate about inclusivity and capacity building. Lanise believes in creating connections between different groups in order to enhance opportunity and resources.
Lanise studied Sociology at University of Alberta and Université Laval before obtaining her Civil Law degree.
Founder, Partner
Faithe Holder is currently Counsel at Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and is a Registered Psychotherapist running a private practice in Toronto, Ontario.
Prior to commencing her most recent dual role, Faithe held successively senior legal roles at Gowling WLG, spanning just over 20 years in private practice, including Partner, Team Lead, Department Head, and Management Committee Member. These commitments were in addition to maintaining and growing a thriving practice which included P3/Infrastructure law, Commercial Real Estate law and Construction Contracting law. Faithe has also enjoyed a tenure as Legal Counsel with the crown corporation which manages one of Canada’s largest real estate portfolios on behalf of the government of Ontario.
Faithe obtained her B.A. Hons. from Victoria College, University of Toronto, her LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002. Faithe also completed her psychotherapy studies at the Centre for Training in Psychotherapy and is licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. In her psychotherapy private practice, Faithe currently provides services to clients in professional services firms, including lawyers and accountants.
Faithe has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Project Finance Law, she has been a featured leading lawyer in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and has been included as a Lexpert-ranked leading lawyer in the Lexpert Special Editions on Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers and Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers.
Faithe has a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and has been actively involved in related initiatives. She has been an advisor to Gowling WLG’s national EDI Council, a co-chair of the Toronto Anti-Racism Action Committee, led unconscious bias training for members of the Toronto office, trained in and administered Mental Health First Aid, and assisted with the conceptualization, drafting, and implementation of the firm’s Mental Health App and the firm’s Mental Health Strategy.
Arleen Huggins' expertise lies in employment, human rights law and equity and inclusion, with an emphasis on discrimination on the basis of race and anti-Black racism.
For over 30 years she has provided opinions and litigated all types of employment and human rights related disputes at various court levels, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal and before various administrative tribunals.
Arleen also specializes in workplace investigations, climate reviews and equity audits, in particular, dealing with allegations of anti-Black racism and anti-racism. She has conducted numerous reviews/audits and investigations for educational institutions, the Ontario Public Service, federal crown agencies, as well as for private and not for profit corporations and Boards.
Arleen was elected to the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL)'s first Board of Directors in 1997 and was instrumental in defining and building CABL into the only national organization of Black lawyers in Canada. Arleen was a member of the CABL Board of Directors again for nine consecutive years, ending her term as President and Immediate Past President in 2016 and 2017. Arleen was the Chair of CABL's Advocacy Committee from 2008 until January 2017.
Arleen was on the founding Board of the African Canadian Legal Clinic; served on the Doctors Without Borders Human Resources Committee from 2014 to the fall of 2018 and was appointed as a member of the federal Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee (JAAC) for the GTA for a two year term ending December 2018. She has been on the Board of Women's College Hospital since 2021.
Arleen is a widely respected lawyer and a 2020 recipient of the Law Society of Ontario's prestigious Law Society Medal for her significant contributions to the profession. In 2021, she was elected by the readers of Canadian Lawyer as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal Law category. She has also been recognized in the area of Labour and Employment Law in The Best Lawyers in Canada four consecutive years, 2022-2025.
Falilat Ibrahim is Legal Counsel at SkipTheDishes, with expertise in employment law, immigration, administrative law and product compliance. Falilat earned her law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012. She practiced as Corporate Counsel in Nigeria, before relocating to Canada in 2014 to further her education with a Master’s degree from the University of Manitoba in 2017. She was admitted to the Manitoba Bar in 2020. Falilat is also an active contributor to professional organizations, serving as a Community Advisory Board member for CBC and Secretary of the CABL-MB Chapter.
In-House Counsel, Employment, Immigration, Logistics and New Initiatives
Shanawaz Islam is a PwC partner who specializes in Canadian mining tax, international tax issues encountered by multinational mining companies, and tax structuring of mining investments overseas and into Canada. With over 14+ years of experience serving mining corporations with Canadian and international operations, he has gained significant experience working on clients mining operations in the US and Latin America, as well as multinational mining companies investing into Canada.
Jean-René Dominique Kwilu is a trained Economist and a bi-jural Jurist (Quebec Civil Law and North American Common Law). He is the Founder, Executive Director and Lead Counsel at la Clinique Juridique Franco-Justice (CJFJ), offering pro-bono legal services to francophone newcomers in Manitoba; and a partner at NBS Legal Consulting. He is a litigator in Criminal law, Family law, child protection law, Immigration law and all Civil matters. He has successfully litigated cases in all levels of Court in Manitoba, including The Federal Court of Canada (Lower and appellate level) and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Apart from his law practice, he is an independent researcher and a Lecturer in Commercial Law at L’Université de Saint-Boniface. He regularly appears on the news (CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV News, Global News, City News, The Globe and Mail, etc.) to offer his legal commentary, expertise and defend his clients.
He recently sat on Manitoba’s Public Safety Training Strategy Steering Committee overseeing the development of the strategy to modernize public safety training for police and peace officers; and currently seats on Manitoba’s Access to Justice Advisory Network. He is also the President of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and sits on its national board.
Lawyer/Economist & University Lecturer
Drew Lafond advises clients on matters related to economic development, gaming, housing, commercial leasing, corporate governance, structure and finance. Drew also assists Indigenous clients with asserting and exercising jurisdiction over core areas of governance, including land management, taxation, gaming and agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Yukon. Drew was raised in Treaty 6 territory on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation reserve and is also of Secwepemc descent from the Simpcw First Nation in British Columbia. He has also served as president of the Indigenous Bar Association since 2019.
Kikelomo Lawal is the global leader for CIBC’s Legal, Government Relations, Corporate Governance, Client Complaints and Appeals, and Whistleblower functions. She is also responsible for leading the development of the environmental, social and governance strategy across our bank. Kikelomo has more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience, including legal expertise as both a trial lawyer and a transactional lawyer. Prior to joining CIBC, Kikelomo was Chief Legal Officer, Ombudsman and Corporate Secretary at Interac Corporation and, prior to that, practiced law at firms on Bay Street in Toronto and Wall Street in New York City.
A mentor to many, Kikelomo contributes her time as a Board member and advisor to various organizations. In 2022 and in 2020, she was recognized as one of WXN’s “Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada”. In 2021, she was added to the GC Powerlist, and in 2019, was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Payments. She has also been a finalist for the National Post General Counsel of the Year Award. Kikelomo is a graduate of Harvard Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from New York University. She is a member of the New York State Bar and Law Society of Ontario. She and her husband are the proud parents of three.
Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer
Atrisha Lewis is a Partner in McCarthy Tétrault's Litigation Group in Toronto.
She has a practice focused on commercial disputes and securities related litigation, professional liability and product liability matters. Atrisha represents clients in the insurance, financial services and technology sectors. Atrisha also assists clients with their most complex and sensitive problems by conducting internal investigations. Atrisha has argued before all levels of Court. In 2019, Atrisha was elected as bencher of the Law Society of Ontario.
Tasha Lorenzen-Ewing (she/her) is an in-house counsel for the Hospital Employees' Union. She earned her law degree from Thompson Rivers University in 2021 during which time she was a member and then President of the TRU Black Law Students' Association. In this role, she worked alongside other equity seeking groups advocating for increased supports from the TRU Faculty of Law for students from historically marginalized communities. For this and other work, Tasha received the Law Foundation Public Interest Award. Prior to law school, Tasha earned her Masters in Gerontology and worked with seniors in the non-profit sector where her passion for public interest work grew.
Tasha was on the Executive of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers from 2021-2024 and was a speaker at the Empowered Black Girls Conference in July 2023 which was aimed at inspiring, empowering, and uplifting Black girls in grades 8-12. She currently does work for the Catherine White Holman Wellness Society providing low-barrier legal services to Two-Spirit, transgender and gender non-conforming people. Tasha is passionate about having public interest and access to justice be a cornerstone of her work and continues to seek opportunities to engage in such initiatives.
Tyna Mason is legal counsel with the Litigation Group of the Legal Services Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General She obtained her LLB from Dalhousie Law School in 1994 and was called to the bar in British Columbia in 1995. From 1995 to 2000, she was an associate lawyer at a private law firm in Victoria where she practised in the areas of personal injury, family, and criminal law.
Tyna first joined government in 2000 as Crown Counsel with the BC Prosecution Service. For most of the past 24 years, Tyna has focused her litigation practice in the areas of constitutional and administrative law. She also appears regularly before tribunals on environmental law matters. Her litigation experience includes appearances as counsel in all levels of court in BC, and at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has acted as counsel on a number of significant constitutional law cases. She chaired the Constitutional and Civil Liberties Law Section of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and also served on its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Tyna is currently a member at large on the national CBA’s Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section executive. She completed a LLM in constitutional law at Osgoode in 2021.
Tyna coached the UVic Law School team in a national moot focused on equality issues for several years, and continues to mentor students and newer lawyers. She is an active member with CABL BC and was a founding member and former vice chair of the Legal Services Branch’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Janessa Mason is an associate at Ascendion Law, a boutique litigation firm in Vancouver. Her practice includes complex commercial disputes, regulatory and white-collar defence, as well as traditional criminal law. Janessa represents clients fighting securities litigation, challenges to the Charter, environmental and mining regulation disputes, and other complex criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Janessa championed prisoners' rights in correctional facilities as a legal advocate and, as a forensic counsellor, she served those at the intersection between mental health, substance use, and law enforcement. Janessa has also practiced at a national full-service firm, primarily in the areas of employment, WorkSafeBC, and human rights litigation. She recently co-chaired the 2022 CLE BC Regulatory Proceedings and Criminal Offences online conference. Janessa currently serves as the Membership Director for the CABL BC Chapter.
Kamika McLean joined WeShall Investments Inc.'s executive team as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for the company and its varied subsidiaries. Her primary area of responsibility is managing the wide range of legal matters that arise for the group of companies. She is also a member of the Management Committee where she helps to develop and oversee business and operational activities.
Prior to law, Kamika worked in academic research conducting award-winning health studies and writing published research papers on ways to improve health outcomes in the black Caribbean community of southeast London, the UK.
Appointed by the Federal Government, Kamika serves on the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for the GTA, she is Vice President of the Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario as well as the Chair of its Disciplinary Committee.
Abib is a partner, practice leader and a family law lawyer at our Vancouver office.
Abib has solely been practicing as a family law lawyer since 2017, with a more recent specialization in Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Cases. Prior to this, he obtained experience in various areas of law ranging from family, to criminal, to civil litigation, and to wills & estates. Some of his recent Hague Convention successes include Gill v. Gill, 2024 BCCA 140, Gill v Gill, 2024 BCSC 346, and J.N.C. v A.G.H, 2024 BCSC 1783.
Abib is half Canadian and half Senegalese. He grew up in Montreal, and then moved to Calgary, before finally settling in Vancouver. He completed his LL.B and JD at the Université de Montréal. He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Law Society of British Columbia.
Sue-Lynn Noel is Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Purolator Inc. as well as the executive sponsor of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board. Previously she was a partner in private practice and held senior in-house roles in the customs brokerage, transportation and logistics and waste management industries where her focus was on mergers and acquisitions. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002.
Sue-Lynn is a past President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and served as Vice Chair of the Women’s Equality Advisory Group for the Law Society of Ontario. Currently she sits on the board of Covenant House Toronto, their Policy & Stakeholder Relations and Governance/Nominating Committees, as well as the Black Opportunity Fund Grants Committee. She has spoken at several seminars and conferences on topics related to business structures, corporate drafting, risk management, due diligence, legal services innovation and the business case for diversity. She mentors many lawyers and leaders at all stages of their career and, in 2020, Sue-Lynn was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine in the Business category.
Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Yinka Olusoga is a senior associate in the corporate group at Torys LLP. Her practice focuses on commercial law in the areas of corporate banking, leveraged finance and structured finance, renewable energy assets and projects. She regularly acts for bank syndicates, non-bank lenders and borrowers on domestic, cross-border and international transactions, including secured and unsecured bank credit facilities, Canadian and U.S. bond offerings, mezzanine financings and structured finance transactions.
Yinka has been involved in the financing of large cross-border energy, mining and real estate projects and also advises private equity sponsors in their capital raising activities through the establishment of subscription line, NAV and hybrid facilities. Yinka regularly assists clients with compliance matters relating to debt financing arrangements.
Associate, Torys LLP
Wasiu Omotoso is a partner in Dentons’ Infrastructure and PPP group, based in the Toronto office.
Wasiu routinely assists clients to structure, negotiate and achieve commercial and financial close of complex construction and infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions, including healthcare (acute care, children treatment, long-term care and adult day care facilities), airport terminal, LNG pipeline, nuclear power, religious temple, renewable energy, data centre, waste water and treatment plant, accommodation (residential, social and commercial), mining, transport and transit infrastructure projects.
Wasiu is called to the Bars of Ontario and Alberta, Canada as well as Nigeria. He holds a Master of Laws (LL M) degree from University of Manitoba, and he is a professor at the Angelo Del-Zotto School of Construction Management at George Brown College, where he mentors the next generation of infrastructure leaders.
Wasiu is a recipient of several awards and recognitions, including Adalsteinn Fridrikson Kristiansson Fellowship Award; and David T. Syagias Graduate Fellowship Award.
Partner, Dentons
Judge David St. Pierre graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). After several years working as a professional musician he attended the University of Calgary Law School and graduated in 1994. He practiced in the area of criminal law in Vancouver, British Columbia prior to being appointed to the B.C. Provincial Court in 2009.
He is a founding member of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada, a former co-chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee for the Canadian Bar Association in B.C. and a former member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. He is a former member of the B.C. Judicial Council and a former President of the Provincial Court Judges’ Association in B.C. He is a frequent contributor, presenter, lecturer and speaker for Continuing Legal Education, Canadian Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Association, National Judicial Institute and various Universities and educational
Judge
Bernard Piprah, RCC, is a first generation Canadian born in Vancouver, B.C. to Ghanaian and Jamaican parents. He completed his undergraduate degree at SFU then earned his Master’s at Athabasca University before starting his career with Fraser Health Authority where he worked in emergency psychiatric programs for almost 10 years. In 2020 Bernard opened his private practice, BKP Counselling & Consulting, where as a Registered clinical counsellor (or psychotherapist) he’s provided therapeutic interventions to hundreds of Canadians.
In addition to his individual and family therapy work, Bernard also facilitates mental health presentations for secondary and post-secondary schools, financial institutions, Crown corporations and several black-centered events in B.C. Most recently Bernard founded a Black men’s self-care initiative called Brothers Brunch Vancouver that is centered on encouraging the professional, emotional and spiritual self-care of Brothers in the Greater Vancouver Area.
Patrice Rouse is Farm Mutual Re’s Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary and oversees the legal, corporate secretary, compliance, privacy, and communications functions for the company and its subsidiary.
Patrice began her career at a Wall Street firm in New York City and has almost 20 years of progressive leadership experience with legal expertise as a regulatory, governance, litigation, and transactional lawyer in the insurance, banking, securities, and capital markets industries in Canada, the US, and the Caribbean.
Patrice graduated cum laude from Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.
Patrice is a strong advocate for inclusion, has always been committed to community service, and throughout her professional career has devoted her time to pro bono practice and volunteer work reflecting these values. She is the executive sponsor for her company’s EDI council and champions committee, and she sits on the Trillium Health Partners Foundation Board of Directors.
Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Farm Mutual Re
Robel Sahlu is a mid-year associate in the Competition & Foreign Investment Group and the Business Crimes Group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. He practices out of the Calgary and Toronto offices. Robel’s national practice includes advising global corporations, international private equity funds, and foreign state-owned investment funds on merger control and national security matters related to their acquisitions and divestitures in Canada.
Lawyer, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Guillaume Saliah is a partner in our Montreal Business Law Group and practises business law, with experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity, capital markets, and start-ups. He focuses on national and cross-border transactions such as purchase, sale, merger, financing and restructuring transactions, negotiated in both the public and private markets. He advises both private and institutional investors and represents issuers and brokers in relation to equity financings, by way of prospectus or private placements.
Guillaume also has experience in matters relating to corporate governance and supports publicly-traded companies with regards to corporate and securities matters, including compliance with continuous disclosure obligations, proxy solicitation for shareholder meetings, the launch of share buyback programs and the implementation of securities-based compensation arrangements, and assisting them in their interactions with stock exchanges and securities regulators. Guillaume joined the firm in 2012 and was admitted to the firm’s partnership in 2023. After serving as designated mentor for the articling students of our Montreal Business Law Group, he currently acts as co-manager of the students recruitment committee for our Montreal office. He has been yet again recognized as a “ones to watch” lawyer for 2023 by The Best Lawyers in Canada in Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and in Securities Law.
Guillaume works with clients from a variety of industries, including clients from the natural resources, technologies, energy, transportation, manufacturing and services sectors. He support clients throughout the transaction process, including during due diligence and the drafting and review of commercial agreements and the coordination of closings. He also provides regulatory advice on all issues related to the Charter of the French Language and transparency requirements.<.p>
In addition, Guillaume serves as a director on the board of the Centaur Theatre and the social pediatric center “Les Petits Renards” of Verdun associated with the Dr. Julien’s foundation. He is also an active member of the National Bar Association’s Business Section.
Before entering law, Guillaume played as an offensive lineman for the football team of the Carabins of the University of Montreal which explain his capacity to bring your projects across the goal line. Guillaume is actively involved within the firm at various levels. As the Co-Chair of the Recruitment Committee, he actively participates in the recruitment process for our Montreal office's Summer Internship Program. He also contributes to Fasken's partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, demonstrating his commitment to sports, excellence, and inclusion.
Laésha Smith is a named partner at Poulus Ensom Smith LLP where her practice focuses on securities litigation, administrative disputes, including BC Securities Commission enforcement defence as well as commercial and civil litigation. Laésha is also former litigation counsel to the BC Securities Commission. Before relocating to BC in 2015, Laésha practiced for 10 years in New York and London where her practice focused on acting for large financial institutions and FTSE 500 companies in relation to a broad range of regulatory and white-collar criminal issues as well as high stakes commercial litigation.
Laésha is Vice President of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and serves as CABL’s liaison to the CBA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Laesha also currently sits on the CBA’s Access to Justice Committee and is the co-chair of the CBA’s Women Lawyer’s Forum’s Education Committee. She is also Co-President of the board of directors of Rise Women’s Legal Centre, a charity and community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia
Laesha is currently ranked as a leading lawyer in Canada including by Chambers (Band 2, Securities Litigation and Band 6, Commercial Litigation), Benchmark Canada (Litigation Star) and Best Lawyers (Ones to Watch). In 2023 and 2024 she was also selected by Benchmark as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation in Canada.
Rebekah Smith obtained a dual degree in law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID) from the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria. Rebekah’s father is British Jamaican and her mother is Afro-Nova Scotian and Dutch. She currently lives on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, but grew up on the lands of the Six Nations of the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
Over the past twelve years Rebekah has worked with non-profit organizations that promote access to justice, youth leadership development, and community building. In law school, Rebekah was a teaching assistant, research assistant, and a peer tutor. She also served as events coordinator and president of the UVic BLSA chapter, where she advocated for pathways to increase black student enrollment at UVic. Rebekah works as an associate at Ratcliff LLP in North Vancouver
Michelle Stanford was called to the Bar in 1993 following a nursing career, including Head Nurse at Vancouver General Hospital. She began her law practice in civil litigation in Vancouver and practiced as a sole practitioner in Kamloops with a focus on criminal defence and administrative law under the B.C. Review Board and the Mental Health Act.
Michelle has guest lectured at Thompson Rivers University in nursing and law, served as President of the Kamloops Bar Association and volunteered for a number of legal organizations including Access Pro Bono, TLABC Legal Action Committee, Association of Legal Aid Lawyers, Criminal Defence Advocacy Society and the CBA Women Lawyers Forum. Locally, Michelle has had the privilege of being a founding committee member and Chair of the Kamloops Inns of Court. Her community service includes sitting as a member of the Thompson Rivers University Board of Governors, past President of Kamloops Art Gallery and past Trustee on the Boards of Regional Health in Kamloops and Western Canada Theatre Company.
Michelle was elected Bencher of the Law Society of B.C., Kamloops District and Yale County in 2016 (notable as the first elected woman and Black Bencher in the county and province respectively), appointed Queens Council in 2018 and was appointed Judge in the Provincial Court of British Columbia on April 12, 2021, now sitting in Kamloops, B.C.
Raphael Tachie is a partner in the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation group based in Vancouver office, with responsibilities extending across both Toronto and Vancouver. Raphael is also a member of the Dentons Family Office and High Net Worth sector group, which provides cross-practice services to family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Raphael leverages his significant in-house experience with financial institutions and in wealth management to provide strategic legal counsel to high-net-worth clients and financial institutions, covering all aspects of estates and trusts law. Raphael advises high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs and business owners on estate and trust planning, business succession planning, incapacity matters, and planned charitable giving, ensuring tax efficiency and alignment with their personal values and objectives. Additionally, he advises executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries on every facet of estate and trust administration, covering probate, fiduciary duties, obligations, liability concerns and post-mortem planning.
He also collaborates closely with financial institutions and their advisors to develop, implement and uphold top-tier practices and processes in estates and trusts, life and health insurance, registered and non-registered investments, and high-net-worth advisory services, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Raphael has extensive experience in providing strategic guidance to insurance, investment, and trust companies regarding the implications of laws and regulations concerning elderly and vulnerable clients, incapacity, estates, trusts and beneficiary designations on their products, services and market practices.
Furthermore, Raphael advises trust companies in their fiduciary capacities as trustees, executors, attorneys, agents and custodians on estate and trust administration and regulatory issues, including new product development.
Raphael is a regular speaker for professional and industry-related groups, and has authored a number of articles and publications on estate planning, trusts and administration. Raphael and has been peer selected annually since 2023 for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada in the practice area of Estates and Trusts.
Beyond his practice, Raphael is very active in the legal community and engaged in advocating for more equal, diverse and inclusive professional spaces. Notably, he is the immediate past president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and was given the inaugural Alumni Leadership Award by the Black Law Students Association of Canada in 2024. Raphael currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, the Editorial Board of Canadian Lawyer Magazine, the City of Vancouver’s Black and African Communities Anti-racism and Cultural Redress Community Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors of the YMCA of British Columbia Foundation.
Sam Tecle is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer in Gowling WLG's Vancouver office, practicing in the areas of commercial litigation and employment law.
Working across multiple sectors, Sam helps his clients navigate a range of contentious matters – from intricate contract and negligence claims to white-collar fraud investigations to high-stakes banking litigation files. Over the course of his career, Sam has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia as well as before courts throughout Alberta.
Sam's clients – which include banks, tech companies, and professional service firms – admire his practical, informed, and client-centred approach to resolving their disputes and regard him as a trusted advocate.
Sam complements his practice by working as an adjunct professor at Capilano University's School of Legal Studies where he teaches legal advocacy. Sam also serves on Capilano University's Board of Governors and as Treasurer of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Sam previously served as a judicial law clerk for the Honourable Justice Robert L. Barnes of the Federal Court of Canada. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria, after which he lived and worked in South Korea for several years. Sam subsequently earned a Juris Doctor from Thompson Rivers University, Faculty of Law.
Taisha Lewis-Trotman is a Partner in the Corporate/Commercial Group at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Toronto. Her corporate commercial practice is focused on commercial contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. She advises both public and private companies on a wide range of matters, including domestic and U.S. cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private placements, and securities regulatory compliance. Taisha also advises clients on corporate governance matters, including equity compensation plans, director fiduciary duties and shareholder agreements.
In addition to her practice, Taisha is actively involved in the community, including as a mentor to black lawyers and law students, and as a director for Dance Collection Danse, a not-for-profit organization founded to preserve Canada’s dance heritage and share it internationally. Taisha has also served on a number of executive committees with the Ontario Bar Association and is frequently asked to speak on panels for various organizations.
Taisha has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Award Recipient by the National Bar Association, as One to Watch in Securities Law in Toronto by the 2022 Best Lawyers in Canada guide, and as an Influential Black Canadian by Deloitte.
Lola Williams-Afolabi is a Business and Intellectual Property lawyer at BOYNECLARKE LLP, advising on commercial transactions, intellectual property protection and strategy, privacy, entertainment and other business and intellectual property-related matters.
Lola was called to the Nigeria and Nova Scotia Bar in 2010 and 2022, respectively. She holds an LL.B from the University of Lagos (2009), and a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation - Federation of Law Societies of Canada (2021). She also holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from the Queen Mary University of London (2014) and received the 2014 International Bar Association Scholarship in the Intellectual Property, Communication and Technology Section. She has been a Judge with the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition at the University of Oxford since 2015.
Lola is currently the Chair of the Canadian Bar Association (NS Chapter) Intellectual Property Section, member of the CBA National Intellectual Property Section, and speaks on various expert panels on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence. Lola is also President of the NS chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, and member of the National Board. She received the CBA-NS, Community Service Award in 2022.
Jacy Wingson, a longstanding presenter and supporter of CABL, and recipient of the CABL 2021 Law Practice Award has also contributed to the Wills, Estates and Trusts BC Bar, having co-chaired the last three province-wide conferences focusing on discrete, current and thought-provoking issues facing lawyers practising in this area.
Jacy’s practice has focused for the last several years on providing solutions to family members needing help sorting out property issues, or to family members needing help with estates that seem to be unfairly distributed by a will or by transactions that happened before someone died. Jacy appreciates the repeat referrals she receives from other lawyers and professionals and takes pride in assisting their clients as they navigate often sensitive issues in situations involving high emotional conflict.
Jacy approaches dispute resolution through a variety of processes or through the courts. She has appeared at the Supreme Court of British Columbia and at the British Columbia Court of Appeal and uses a solutions-based approach to dealing with matters and a personal, team-oriented approach to dealing with clients.
Jacy and her team also bring years of experience in guiding and protecting those involved in administering estates and trusts. Her litigation experience complements the steps and strategies she employs in navigating the estate and trust administration process. Recognizing that it can be a trying time for her clients, Jacy and her team take pride in easing their clients’ tasks while working with accountants and other professionals to complete the administration process.
Jacy has been immersed in the Wills, Estates and Trusts practice area for decades and thrives in peeling away the layers of what at first seems insurmountable to find solutions tailored to her clients’ unique circumstances and goals.
For years, Jacy has enjoyed mentoring young lawyers to achieve their potential and become contributing members of the Bar. She recognizes that the future of our profession lies in the development of our younger lawyers and takes seriously her role in paving their way.
Estate Litigation, Partner
Thelma Zindoga’s law practice focuses exclusively on advising employers on a wide-ranging spectrum of employment, labour, human rights, employee privacy, workers' compensation and occupational health and safety matters. She also frequently provides employment advice in relation to commercial transactions and commercial litigation matters. Beyond the practice of law, Thelma has a keen interest in global affairs, internal relations, politics, and social justice. Thelma is a passionate advocate for advocacy anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and society. Thelma is also an alumnus of the United Nations Association-Canada International Development and Diplomacy Internship Programme.