What: The 2015 South Asian Bar Association Gala
Where: The Liberty Grand, Toronto
When: December 1, 2015
Last week more than 450 lawyers and supporters attended the 10th annual South Asian Bar Association (SABA) Gala at the Liberty Grand — where Kenneth J. Fredeen, general counsel at Deloitte LLP, won SABA’s 2015 Diversity Award.
Each year, the gala recognizes the achievements by South Asians in the legal profession and champions of diversity. Fredeen, for instance, is perhaps best know for being a founding member of Legal Leaders for Diversity.
“In 10 short years, SABA Toronto has established itself as a leading voice for South Asian lawyers in the Toronto area and for diversity in the profession,” says Ranjan Agarwal, president of SABA and a partner at Bennett Jones LLP. “The gala and awards night is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our bar with our members and supporters.”
The organization also presented three Legal Excellence Awards to members of the Ontario legal profession for their outstanding initiative, achievement, contribution to the community and pro bono activities. This year’s awards went to:
- Bindu Dhaliwal, Bank of Montreal
- Hussein A. Hamdani, SimpsonWigle LAW LLP
- Isfahan Merali, Consent and Capacity Board
The evening’s guest speaker was Renu Madhane, the chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
The South Asian Bar Association of Toronto is dedicated to promoting the objectives of South Asian members of the legal profession. To find out more, please visit the SABA website.