Rahool Agarwal
Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Called to the bar in 2007
• Contributing editor for Commercial Litigation and Arbitration Review
• Named Young Practitioner of the Year by the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto in 2011
• Volunteer with Law Help Ontario
Most lawyers won’t appear before the Supreme Court of Canada in their entire career. Yet within five years of being called to the bar, Rahool Agarwal has already appeared as lead counsel for intervening parties before the Court four times.
“I have had the good fortune to be involved in some very interesting and important cases,” is how he modestly describes his work successfully advocating for the educational needs of students with learning disabilities and arguing to keep a safe injection site for drug users open in Vancouver. Agarwal’s use of the word “fortune” is ironic, given that all his work on these cases has been done pro bono. Both at the Supreme Court and in Norton Rose’s litigation department, Agarwal brings what colleagues consider top-tier reasoning, judgment and client management skills.
He gives back to clients in need but also to his peers. He assists his colleagues in seeking out pro bono projects of their own and has been described as the firm’s “social convener” for organizing everything from bowling and pub nights to his role co-MCing the firm’s holiday party. He is also involved in recruiting and mentoring Norton Rose’s summer and articling students.
When not helping shape public policy and young lawyers’ careers, Agarwal loves to travel. He and his wife, who are expecting their first child in October, recently climbed the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina. This high flyer also admits to some fairly pedestrian habits, including being a self-professed “basketball junkie” and fan of the TV series Game of Thrones. “It’s kind of embarrassing, but I watched the entire first season in one day.”