Isfahan Merali for Bencher

Isfahan Merali is a new Bencher candidate running in a unique and collaborative campaign with “running mate” Bencher Janet Leiper (whose website is www.relectjanetleiper.com) to promote diversity and inclusiveness at the Law Society. Their joint campaign has garnered a great deal of interest in the legal community, and you may have seen the articles on Precedent Magazine’s website and the Law Times:

• Check out the Precedent article highlighting Isfahan and Janet’s joint campaign
• Read the Law Times article quoting Isfahan Merali and Janet Leiper
• See the Law Times article on the need for Diversity amongst Bencher Candidates, quoting several candidates, including Isfahan about her unique joint campaign with Janet Leiper
• Check out the Law Times article on Change on the Horizon for 2015, which mentions Isfahan and Janet’s unique collaborative campaign

Isfahan and Janet ask their colleagues to support them in the Bencher Election given their long-standing commitment to public service, access to justice and equity and diversity – and hope they will also endorse the collaborative and new approach they are taking to the election. Moreover, they hope that this new approach might inspire others to do the same in the future, and change accessibility and inclusiveness at the Law Society in a truly exciting and meaningful way.

About Isfahan

Isfahan is Counsel to the Consent and Capacity Board and has devoted her entire career to public service practice, in the areas of administrative, human rights and mental health law. Her deep commitment to the legal profession has been demonstrated by: her participation on the Law Society’s Equity Advisory Group (EAG) since 2009; her role as a Mentor with Osgoode’s Public Interest Program in Mental Health and Administrative Justice (a joint programme with The Advocate’s Society); and her past volunteer work with Law in Action within Schools (LAWS). In addition, she has take an active role in mentoring numerous new lawyers and students over the years.

Isfahan is seeking election as a Bencher of the Law Society in order to bring her experience and expertise to the critical issues facing the profession: equity initiatives to increase inclusion and support for all lawyers; challenges facing lawyers with disabilities and mental health issues; access to justice; addressing the needs unique to our colleagues in rural areas and small towns; the stresses of sole practitioners and those new to our profession, including the need for mentoring; and increasing accessibility and transparency so that members may participate more meaningfully in our governing profession.

For more information about Isfahan and her campaign (including her bio, views and endorsements), please visit her website www.isfahanmerali.com or contact elect@isfahanmerali.com.

You can also follow her on Twitter @Isfahan_Merali