Hosted by UTMSU, UTM Black Future Lawyers, Black Literature & Arts, UTM Career Centre, UTM Alumni Relations, and UTM's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
In-person - UTM Student Centre - Room 170A
or
Online via Zoom
In-person registrations are limited.
Join us for Black Career Pathways in Law - an event for Black-identifying students and new graduates to hear from Black professionals, network, build community and create meaningful change for their own career pathways in law.
The event will consist of two panel discussions (Black-identifying law students and lawyers), who will share stories of their experiences navigating their careers.
Through a moderated Q&A and audience participation, attendees will:
- Learn about diverse career options in law
- Gain insight about pathways to law school and financial aid
- Enhance their understanding of legal education
- Discover tips for preparing for law school
- Hear about life within law school
- Understand how to apply the skills learned within law school
- Connect directly with Black law students and lawyers
Refreshments will be provided.
Please note that this event is directed to self-identifying Black students and recent graduates to collectively create a space that enhances the Black experience at UTM and strengthens community connections, but all are welcome to attend.
Panellists
Lawyers
Rebecca Scantlebury (HBA 2014 UTM)
Principal Lawyer, Scantlebury Law
Rebecca is the principal lawyer of Scantlebury Law and practices in the areas of employment, human rights and real estate law. At her litigation practice, Rebecca represents both employers and employees and has experience advising on a variety of matters, including employment contracts, wrongful dismissals, and various human rights matters. She is also experienced in investigating workplace harassment allegations and related matters. In her real estate practice, Rebecca assists clients with refinance transactions and residential purchases and sales.
Prior to establishing Scantlebury Law, Rebecca gained experience at a reputable Bay Street law firm where she provided legal services for Fortune 500 companies, and a boutique employment and human rights law firm.
Rebecca holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. At the University of Sussex, Rebecca received first place in both the internal and regional DMH Stallard LLP Client Interviewing skills competition.
Seun Olowolafe (HBA 2018 UTM)
Founder, Olowolafe Law
Seun is a dedicated legal practitioner skilled in real estate, corporate law, and litigation. His academic background includes a Philosophy specialist at the University of Toronto and a law degree at the University of Northampton in the UK. Since his call to the bar in 2020, Seun has represented clients in various levels of court, including the Court of Appeal, Superior Court, and Federal Court.
His firm, known for its work with land developers and high-profile lenders, is backed by a multilingual team that effectively serves Toronto's diverse community. With a unique blend of global education and innovative solutions, Seun leads Olowolafe Law in effectively navigating the legal landscape while staying active with community outreach.
Temitayo Osinbajo (HBA 2016 Innis)
Senior Associate Lawyer, GOOSELAW™ Immigration
Temitayo Osinbajo is a lawyer licensed to practice law in the province of Ontario. She currently works as a Senior Associate at GOOSELAW™ Immigration. In her practice, she has had the opportunity to lead a team of support workers to successfully complete numerous immigration applications for both corporate and individual clients. She has a wealth of experience in supporting business clients with immigration options that allow them to bring their employees to Canada. She also has extensive experience with helping individuals and families with their Canadian Immigration applications.
Temitayo completed her law degree in 2020 at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Prior to law school, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a Major in Women and Gender Studies and a double minor in Sociology and Philosophy.
Before becoming a lawyer, Temitayo worked with the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal- Canada’s first online Tribunal. She also worked with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre in Ontario.
Tyrrell Schloss (HBA 2015 UTM)
Legal Counsel, Equifax Canada
Tyrrell Schloss is Legal Counsel at Equifax Canada Co., where he practices in the areas of privacy law, regulatory compliance, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, complex partnerships and general commercial law.
At Equifax, Tyrrell leads legal engagement for the commercial line of business, automotive vertical and government vertical. He also takes lead on responses to Requests for Proposals and collaborates closely with Equifax’s information security officers to develop and implement information security policies.
Tyrrell earned his JD from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Prior to entering law school, Tyrrell obtained his HBA from the University of Toronto Mississauga where he graduated with High Distinction and received the Award for Outstanding Performance in Political Science.
Yemisi Afolabi
Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Yemisi is an associate at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (“BLG”) corporate and capital markets group, with a practice focus on corporate finance, private equity, and mergers & acquisitions. Her hybrid practice encompasses advice-based solicitor work on a wide variety of corporate and securities law matters, public and private companies transactions, and corporate governance issues.
Yemisi summered and articled at BLG. Prior to joining BLG, she was a securities legal clerk at one of Canada’s leading asset management firms. Before moving to Canada, Yemisi worked as in-house counsel for a multinational company and practiced in a leading law firm in Lagos, Nigeria.
Yemisi earned her LL.M in International Business Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and LL.B from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Law Students
Anne Moreau (JD 2023)
Articling Student, Torkin Manes LLP
Anne (she/her) is an articling student at Torkin Manes LLP and a recent Dean’s Honour List graduate of the University of Ottawa’s English Common Law program.
Anne gained experience during law school as a Torts Teaching Assistant with the Faculty, a Judicial Law Clerk at the Ontario Court of Justice, a Legislative Development Intern at the Senate of Canada and a Justice Education Fellow with the Ontario Justice Education Network.
David Adjei (HBA 2021 NEW)
2L Student, Osgoode Hall Law School
David is a 2L at Osgoode Hall Law School. He attended U of T’s St. George where he majored in English and graduated in 2021. David has an interest in corporate law and worked at McMillan as a summer law student. He is now a junior editor for the Black Canadian Law Journal (BCLJ).
David Adjei attended Black Future Lawyer's 2020 Conference and is elated at its progress and honoured to have been asked to speak for today's event.
Mariah Watling Eagle
3L Student, University of Toronto
Mariah is in her final year of law school at the University of Toronto. Prior to law school, she obtained her Bachelor of Health Sciences at Western University and her Master of Global Health at McMaster University. Following law school, Mariah will complete her articles at Torys LLP.
Mariah has been involved with the Black Law Student's Association U of T Chapter throughout her law school career. She served as the Chapter Co-President for the 2022-2023 year. In her current role, she works closely with the Black Future Lawyers U of T Toronto Chapter.
Zubeir Ahmed (HBA 2022 UTSC)
2L Student, Osgoode Law School
Zubeir is a second-year student at Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to law school he obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto where he was the inaugural recipient of the BCE Inc. Black Future Lawyers Summer Fellowship. Through this award he was able to complete a 10-week internship with Bell Canada’s in-house legal department.
Zubeir spent last summer as a legal intern at SurveyMonkey and will spend the upcoming summer at a litigation boutique law firm in Toronto.
Nathan Williams
1L Student, University of Windsor
Nathan is an immigrant (Jamaican-Canadian) and moved to Canada in 2012. He completed his BA Honours in Business Law and Political Science at Carleton University. He is part of the inaugural class of 2022 interns from the Avenue Internship, run by the Ontario Bar Association and worked at Stikeman Elliott LLP for his internship.
Nathan is currently on the executive team for the Black Law Students Association at UWindsor as the assistant to the Chair of the Lloyd Dean Undergraduate Moot. In the winter semester, he will be participating as a volunteer for Community Legal Aid in Windsor, ON.
Please contact Alumni Relations if you require information in an alternate format, or if any other arrangements can make this event accessible to you.
Thank you to our sponsors
This event is proudly sponsored by U of T affinity partners Manulife and TD Insurance. Discover the benefits of affinity products: affinity.utoronto.ca.
