Conference Speakers

Nana Yanful (she/her) is the founder of Yanful Law, where she assists clients with human rights 
issues and state accountability matters, and provides consulting and workplace investigation
services, with a focus on anti-Black racism.
With over 20 years of experience in community 
building, racial justice and equity work, she brings a deeply informed and values-driven 
approach to her legal practice. 

Nana is the former founding Legal Director at the Black Legal Action Centre, where she developed the legal clinic’s test case litigation strategy and led its first interventions, including jointly representing the clinic and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers in the landmark Court of Appeal for Ontario decision on anti-Black racism and sentencing (R v Morris, 2021
ONCA 680). She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, 
advocating for the rights of Black prisoners.
She has also worked as a criminal defence lawyer and equity specialist, advising on and investigating human rights and health equity issues in healthcare and public health settings. 
 

Theresa Donkor is a criminal defence lawyer at Rudnicki & Company, with a focus on appeals from conviction and sentence. She has advocated for clients in all manner of cases before all levels of court, including at the Supreme Court of Canada. She also defends clients at trial and advises complainants in sexual offence cases. 
 

Racial justice is at the heart of Theresa’s practice. She is committed to fighting systemic racism in our criminal legal system and regularly 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. 

Lola (Agbaje-Williams) Williams-Afolabi is an internationally trained lawyer with experience in Nigeria, England, and Canada. She obtained her LL.B, from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2009, and her LL.M in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014. She was called to the Nigeria Bar in 2010 and the Nova Scotia Bar in 2022. 
 

Lola is the lead counsel at Williams Armstrong LP, practicing primarily Corporate & Commercial and Intellectual Property Law, and speaks on various expert panels on Business Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Artificial Intelligence. Lola is passionate about developing others and making an impact through advocacy and community work. She regularly advocates for equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for Internationally Trained Lawyers and members of the BIPOC community through various networks and organizations. She received the CBA-NS Community Service Award in 2022 for her outstanding commitment to the community and charitable causes.

Carl Alphonse is the founder and a U.S. & Canadian immigration lawyer at Alphonse Latham LLP, specializing in business and family immigration cases. Fluent in French, English, and Haitian Creole, Carl offers comprehensive representation to clients from diverse backgrounds. With nearly a decade of experience in immigration law, he has assisted individuals—including employees, refugees, students, families, entrepreneurs, and investors—and businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. 
 

Carl is admitted to the bars of New York and Ontario and is recognized as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Ontario. Throughout his career, he has honed his skills at top-tier Toronto immigration law firms and the only Francophone Legal Aid Clinic in Toronto. His impressive track record includes over 1,000 successful U.S. and Canadian immigration applications. He has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, the Refugee Tribunal of Canada, the Refugee Appeal Tribunal of Canada, and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. 

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Falilat Ibrahim is a Senior Legal Counsel at SkipTheDishes, a part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, a global market leader in online food and grocery delivery. Her eight-year career at SkipTheDishes is a testament to in-house growth, expertly navigating the complex world of labour, employment, and immigration law in the fast-paced tech industry. Her journey is a remarkable story of progression, rising from customer service to compliance clerk, before becoming the company's first articling student and advancing to her current role as a senior legal counsel. 

Managing a diverse portfolio that spans multiple Canadian provinces, Switzerland, and Ireland, Falilat exemplifies the habits of a high-performing lawyer. Her practice is a masterclass in modern, cross-jurisdictional legal management, with deep expertise in critical areas such as independent contractor matters, immigration, and human rights. She is relied upon for her pragmatic approach and strategic counsel within a global legal department of over 40 lawyers. 

Kamika is a seasoned business lawyer, not-for-profit board director and General Counsel. She currently serves as a Member of the Federal Judicial Appointments Committee - Ontario. In 2024, Kamika was recognized by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers”. She was also the winner of the Sun Life Tomorrow’s Leader Award at the Canadian General Counsel Awards 2024. In December 2023, she was featured by Vanguard Magazine as a BIPOC talent to watch. 

As the Director, Talent Advisory - Legal at BLG, Natasha provides talent services to the firm’s lawyers and works closely with firm management to align business and talent strategies in the Toronto office. She also supports the firm’s lawyers to help them achieve their career objectives through career development conversations, mentorship programming, and performance and compensation management. She is also involved in other initiatives relating to diversity and inclusion, engagement, retention and training. Prior to joining the area of Legal Talent, Natasha maintained a commercial litigation practice that focused primarily on securities disputes and regulatory investigations. 

Lotus Menezes is an internationally trained lawyer with experience across Tanzania, South Africa, and Canada. Her practice focuses on corporate and commercial law, emphasizing contract negotiation, governance, and compliance. She began her career in Tanzania, practicing with Clyde & Co and Webber Wentzel’s African Alliance network, advising on mining, energy, and joint-venture agreements. In South Africa, she deepened her expertise in procurement and commercial contracting across cross-border projects. 
 
After moving to Canada, Lotus earned an LLM in Canadian Common Law and an Entertainment Law Certificate from Osgoode Hall Law School before requalifying as a Barrister & Solicitor in Ontario. She previously served as Corporate Counsel at Barrick Gold Corporation and now practices at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, focusing on corporate-commercial matters. 
 
Lotus also serves on OBA Council and the OBA In-House Section, is Secretary of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, and Duty Counsel for Artists’ Legal Advice Services (ALAS). 

Sasha Hart is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Sasha Hart Law. She provides fractional general counsel services to nonprofit organizations and trade unions.  This includes providing advice on internal matters relating to employment, governance, privacy, and human rights. She also delivers training on various topics to boards, management and staff, as well as provides strategic advice for advancing organizational mandates relating to equity and social justice.

Sasha has served in diverse in-house roles, including most recently as General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of a large public service union. Sasha is a past recipient of the American Society of International Law Helton Fellowship Award, and in 2021 was awarded the Lexpert Rising Star Award: Canada’s Leading Lawyers under 40. She is also currently named to the UN Women’s ‘Ending Violence against Women Expert Roster.’  Sasha holds common and civil law degrees from McGill University, a Master's in International Human Rights Law from Oxford University, and a CIPP/C certification (Certified Information Privacy Professional/Canada). She is passionate about community involvement and currently serves on the Board of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), as well as CABL’s Advocacy Committee. 

Ayana Carla Hutchinson (she/her/hers), Senior Legal Counsel, Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. Graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Law in 2002 (BCL and LLB).  Member of Law Society of Ontario since 2003 and Member of the Barreau du Québec since 2008. Current chair and former Eastern Zone Representative of the Organization of Counsel for Children’s Aid Societies. Former Board Member of the Frontenac Law Association and former co-chair of the Family Law Section (Frontenac Law Association) and former co-chair of the Kingston Collaborative Family Law Association.  Member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers Professional Development Committee since 2021. 

Jonathan Odumeru is Senior Litigation Counsel at the TD Bank Group co-leads TD’s Internal Investigations practice, leads TD’s Human Rights practice, and manages Class Actions. Prior to joining TD, Jonathan was a litigation associate at McCarthy Tetrault and has appeared before all level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. 

Jonathan is committed to fostering the next generation of legal professionals. As an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, he teaches negotiation to upper-year students, equipping them with practical skills for their careers. A dedicated mentor, he actively supports aspiring lawyers and recent calls from the Black and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and advocates for a more equitable legal community.  

Sean Reginio is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He specializes in human rights law, pay equity, education law, and equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Sean frequently supports social services, non-profit, and school board clients. 
 

Sean collaborates with clients as they navigate complex issues involving workplace accommodation, mental health law, union organizing drives, disciplinary investigations and Education Act obligations for trustees and administrators. He regularly delivers training sessions and presentations regarding a variety of workplace issues including workplace harassment, management/union relations, employee terminations and attendance management. 
 

Sean frequently provides guidance to employers seeking to maintain their obligations under the Human Rights Code and he conducts policy reviews for clients with respect to equity, diversity and inclusion. He provides a framework for clients to understand the dynamic legal rights of both employers and employees in the context of family status, mental health, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion and other grounds protected under the Code. 

Susannah Alleyne (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) at Lenczner Slaght. She works collaboratively with all members of the firm’s leadership team to recommend, develop, and implement initiatives, practices, and programs that advance the firm’s IDEA strategy and action plan. 

Prior to joining Lenczner Slaght, Susannah served as the Law Society of Alberta’s first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion counsel in its 116-year history and the first known Black Equity Ombudsperson. In these roles, she applied an EDI lens to various projects and worked to create a more inclusive legal profession. An experienced panelist, guest lecturer and facilitator, Susannah frequently speaks on a variety of IDEA issues including allyship, anti-racism, intentional inclusivity, and centering equity in the workplace. With a core belief that legal service providers should reflect the communities they serve, she brings her passion for finding common ground and executing innovative ideas to her work, every day. 

Susannah is also the founding and former President of the first Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.  

Fantanesh Attomsa is a Trauma-Informed Wellness Consultant, Registered Massage Therapist,
Kemetic Yoga Teacher and Doula, known for her work in bridging holistic healing with modern
life. She is the driving force behind Sacred Lotus Holistic Wellness, a trusted name in the
wellness industry that is helping people reclaim their health and reclaim their lives.
In her professional life, she is well-known for Holistic Wellness Expertise in Somatic Healing and
Emotional Regulation, Corporate Well-being Strategies, Community Health and Advocacy,
Entrepreneurship and Experience with over 15 years combined in the social services and
healthcare industries.
Fantanesh is a compassionate leader who aims to empower others on their wellness journey
through a holistic approach to health, emphasizing practical applications of wellness for lasting
transformation.

Jacqueline Beckles is a General Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, International Assistance Group, where she has worked since 2009, working in the areas of extradition and mutual legal assistance. She is a part of the leadership team of the Black Employees’ Network of the Department of Justice. She holds degrees in both civil and common law from the University of Ottawa and has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 2003. 

Jacqueline practiced criminal law as a member of the defence bar in Ottawa from 2003 to 2006. She had the opportunity to Clerk for the Supreme Court of Barbados and work as a Research Fellow at the University of the West Indies, before returning to Ottawa to resume her practice. 

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Chi Iliya-Ndule is a Senior Associate at Gowling WLG Canada LLP, where she advises clients on complex corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and project development. 

Chi currently serves as on the executive committee of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Section and serves on the Boards of Calgary Telus Convention Centre and Alberta University of the Arts. She is also a co-founder of the Calgary Black Chambers. 

Chi has been recognized by Canadian Legal Lexpert as one of the Lawyers to Watch in Mergers & Acquisitions (2025) and was named a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40 (2024). She was also selected as one of the Calgary Herald’s 20 Compelling Calgarians (2024), received CRIEC’s Formidable Immigrant Women Award (2023), and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022). 

The Honourable Justice Christopher Uwagboe was called to the bar in 2007. Justice Uwagboe’s career started in the Middlesex Crown Attorney’s Office in London. In 2011, he opened a private practice representing clients in criminal defence, real estate, small claims, and immigration cases. During his time in private practice, he also was a per diem prosecutor for the Crown Attorney’s Office and the Ministry of Transportation in London. He was appointed to the Legal Aid Ontario Board of Directors in April 2021 and served as the Chair of the Operations Committee. 

Justice Uwagboe is passionate about career development, networking, and mentorship. He has spoken on panels and provided guidance to paralegal candidates from triOS and Fanshawe Colleges, law students and Black students at Western University, and professionals at the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals. As a law student, Justice Uwagboe was President of the National Executive of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. Justice Uwagboe was appointed to the bench in September of 2022 and assigned to preside in Windsor. He was assigned to preside in Woodstock in 2024.  

Justice Lori Anne Thomas is a criminal Judge with the Ontario Court of Justice, where she is on Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee and co-chair of the Judicial Education committee. She was a criminal law instructor with the Osgoode Hall Law School's Trial Advocacy course.  

Before her appointment, Her Honour was a sole practitioner in criminal defence. She litigated at every level of court in Ontario and appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada.  In addition, she managed a pro bono program that assisted unrepresented individuals on Summary Conviction appeals.  

From 2019 to 2020, she served as President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL). During her time in that role, she worked to address systemic barriers facing Black Canadians and advocated for greater representation in leadership and judicial roles. Under her leadership, CABL made its first appellate interventions at the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Court of Appeal— milestones for the organization. 

Justice Thomas also served three terms as a Toronto Director and Executive Member of the Ontario Criminal Lawyers’ Association, where she advocated for criminal law reforms, diversity and inclusion and the improvements to the courts.   

She is a proud graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and a former member of the Osgoode Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA). She sits on the Osgoode Alumni Board since 2023.   

More importantly, she never misses a CABL gala, where she reconnects with colleagues, mentors, mentees, and friends who share her love of community and dancing! 

Dr. Cindy Maxwell is an accomplished physician, researcher, and educator who has been recognized as a transformative health system leader. She is the Vice President, Medical Affairs & System Transformation and Lead Medical Executive at Women’s College Hospital at University of Toronto. 

Dr. Maxwell co-leads The Black Reproductive Health Working Group in Ontario, N-ABL, the provincial network to support Black medical learners and is a past-President of the Black Physicians Association of Ontario. Dr. Maxwell co-leads the Black Village Leadership Circle of First Exposure with Dr. Roberta Timothy at the University of Toronto. Dr. Maxwell is a Director on the Board of Directors of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. Dr. Maxwell leads the Obesity Stream of the FIGO Committee on Impact of Pregnancy and Long-term Health.  

She is a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital and Women’s College Hospital, and Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. Her clinical and research interests are focused on acute and chronic disorders of pregnancy with an emphasis on pregnancies affected by obesity, malignancy, and gastrointestinal disorders. 

Taisha Lewis Trotman is the founder and driving force behind Taisha Lewis Professional Corporation.  As an award-winning corporate commercial lawyer, Taisha specializes in helping businesses level up.  Before launching the firm, Taisha was a Partner at Fasken where she acted for some of Canada's largest businesses on some of the nation's most high profile matters as well as everyday corporate matters. 
Outside of her practice, Taisha is a mentor, cheerleader and coach to women lawyers of colour, and serves as a director for a not-for-profit dedicated to preserving and showcasing Canada’s dance heritage.  Taisha is also a sought-after speaker, sharing her expertise internationally. 
Taisha has been featured in Canadian Lawyer Magazine and Share newspaper, received a 40 Under 40 Award from the National Bar Association, and was recognized as an Influential Black Canadian by Deloitte.  She was also named One to Watch in Securities Law in Toronto by Best Lawyers in Canada 2022. 

Husoni Raymond is an Associate in the Business Law Group at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto, where he maintains a general corporate and commercial law practice. He advises both public and private clients across a range of industries, helping them navigate complex transactions and achieve their business objectives. 
Before joining McCarthy Tétrault, Husoni earned his J.D. at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he was deeply involved in advocacy and leadership. He served as National President of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada and previously as National Conference Chair, advancing the organization’s strategic priorities and supporting members nationwide. In recognition of his leadership, Husoni received the BlackNorth Initiative Youth Leadership Award and was honoured with the Dean’s Gold Key Award for his contributions to the Osgoode community. 
Husoni completed his undergraduate studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he made history as the first Black Students’ Union President. He established the university’s inaugural Black History Month programming and received the top graduating student award for his exceptional contributions to campus life. While a student, he was recognized by the New Brunswick Multicultural Council with the Champion of Cultural Diversity Award and later served the organization as Manager of Anti-Racism Initiatives. 

Gordon Cudjoe was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice on December 5, 2025. Gordon Cudjoe was the Lawyer Manager for the Provincial Case Management Office (PCMO) at Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). He joined LAO in 2014. 

Gordon received his LL.B from the University of Toronto in 1999 and was called to the Bar in February of 2001.  Gordon received a Masters of Arts degree in Criminology in 1999 at the University of Toronto. Gordon also has B.A. in English and Classics from the University of Ghana (1990). 

Gordon joined the duty counsel (criminal) office in Toronto in May 2001 and worked at 1000 Finch Avenue West and later on at Old City Hall court. In March 2002, Gordon left the duty counsel office to work at the law office of Michael Tulloch & Associates.   

Gordon formed a law firm with Melanie Bremner in 2006. He represented clients on 4 homicides and multiple jury trials. Gordon has been involved in all manner of cases from minor thefts to homicides. Gordon had an avid interest assisting the homeless and mentally ill in the court system. Gordon was a director of the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation. Second Chance is an organization assisting at-risk youth in getting back on track.  

Gordon is a past vice-president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. In September 2019, Gordon was appointed co-adjunct professor (with Faisal Mirza) at York University, Osgoode Hall Law School. The seminar class is on critical race litigation. 

Nandi Deterville was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Ms Deterville holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Florida International University in Miami, Florida and attended law school (College of Law of England & Wales and BPP Law School) in England, United Kingdom. She was called to the Bars of England & Wales and Saint Lucia in July and August 2008 respectively and practised in a small general practice firm in Saint Lucia before migrating to Toronto. Ms Deterville was requalified as a Barrister and Solicitor to provide legal services in this jurisdiction and was called to the Ontario Bar in January 2017.  
 

Ms Deterville currently runs her law firm Deterville Law Office in Toronto, Ontario where she focuses her practice on Canadian Immigration Law and Ontario Estate Planning. Having lived in five countries other than her homeland of Saint Lucia Ms Deterville has successfully understood and navigated the immigration policies of those countries. Her lived immigrant experience continues to drive her passion for working with those who wish to make Canada their home, whether temporarily or permanently. Additionally, she was introduced to Estate Planning law early in her practice in Saint Lucia and fully enjoys helping her clients develop the plans that reduce the cost and uncertainty to their loved ones that come with not having the right Powers of Attorney during periods of incapacity or dying without a properly drafted Will. With Deterville Law Office, clients get Ms Deterville’s years of experience and a compassionate focus on the best outcomes. 

Lameck Kefela is a legal recruiter with Smith Legal Search, one of Canada’s leading legal search firms with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. He focuses on the recruitment of associates, partners, and in-house counsel across both private practice and corporate markets, working closely with national, regional, and boutique firms to shape strategic 
talent initiatives and provide market insight.
Before moving into recruitment, Lameck articled at a leading regional firm in Toronto and following his call to the Ontario Bar in 2023, he practiced at legal tech startup. His experience gives him a unique vantage point in advising lawyers and firms alike on hiring 
trends, career development, and market positioning.
Through hundreds of conversations with associates, partners, and general counsel across 
Canada, Lameck has developed a nuanced view of how top lawyers sustain excellence: not only through technical skill, but through deliberate time management, effective 
delegation, and meaningful engagement in non-billable contributions such as mentorship 
and business development.
A proud member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), Lameck remains deeply committed to mentorship, inclusion, and community-building within the profession.
Lameck brings both perspective and personality to every conversation, combining practical insight into legal practice with his current role advising Canada’s leading firms and lawyers on how to build sustainable, high-performing careers.

Laura Wilson-Lewis is Associate Counsel in the Business Affairs Department at Warner Music Canada. In this role, Laura negotiates and drafts agreements for various matters related to recording artists in the music industry, including licensing, live performances, brand partnerships and broadcasting. She also handles a range of other corporate and commercial matters for the label. Before joining Warner, Laura operated her own entertainment law practice, and then brought her book of business to a leading entertainment law firm in downtown Toronto. Laura was recognized on Billboard Canada’s inaugural Women in Music list in 2024, and in 2025, Laura received the Women in Music Canada Rising Leader Award. 

Njeri Damali Sojourner-Campbell is a partner at Hicks Morley LLP where she practices law in the areas of labour, employment, human rights and education.  

She was called to the bar in 2015 and that year she founded the UJIMA Mentorship Circle, a gender-inclusive, intergenerational community for Black legal professionals and students. 

In 2024 and 2025, Njeri received the designation of Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch in Labour and Employment Law. 

Last year, she was awarded the CABL mentorship award. 

As an openly queer Black lawyer, Njeri advocates for sexual orientation and gender inclusion within Black legal spaces and believes that this work is an important aspect of eradicating anti-Black racism within the profession and beyond. 

Njeri and her wife Tomee are funding the Sojourner-Campbell Family Legal Visionary Award at Osgoode for aspiring Black and Indigenous lawyers. 

Fun fact: Njeri reads A LOT of Black science fiction and fantasy books. She loves giving book recommendations!