Devin Persaud and the Evolution of the South Asian Bar Association
Devin Persaud’s tenure as president of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) from 2020 to 2022 marked a pivotal era for the legal profession. During this period, SABA navigated unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while advocating for greater diversity and inclusion in the legal field.
The pandemic brought unexpected obstacles, such as rising mental health concerns and increased reports of domestic violence among SABA members. In response, the organization shifted its focus to provide direct support, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for COVID relief efforts in India and Toronto.
This shift reflected broader changes within SABA. Originally established as a networking group for South Asian lawyers, the organization has grown to serve a diverse membership of over 500 individuals, including sole practitioners and foreign-trained lawyers. Its programming now caters to members from various backgrounds and career stages.
Despite this growth, Persaud highlighted that the legal profession still does not reflect Toronto’s demographics. A study commissioned by SABA with Blink Equity revealed significant disparities in representation, with Persaud emphasizing that the profession is “nowhere near equity” in terms of diversity.
Persaud identified several barriers to progress, including pushback against diversity initiatives. He pointed to the 2019 Law Society of Ontario bencher elections, where some candidates campaigned to end diversity and inclusion programs. This trend mirrored efforts in the U.S., where law firms faced pressure to discontinue diversity scholarships.
To address these challenges, Persaud advocated for open and honest discussions within law firms about their cultures. He encouraged firms to hold anonymous town halls with diverse candidates to identify and address issues hindering inclusivity. Persaud stressed the importance of creating welcoming workplaces to retain diverse talent long-term.
Beyond internal firm initiatives, Persaud’s efforts extended to broader community engagement. Following George Floyd’s murder, SABA launched a Racial Justice Task Force to strengthen allyship between South Asians and the Black community. This initiative also addressed issues within the South Asian community, such as colorism and caste-based discrimination, while offering unconscious bias training across North America.
Looking ahead, Persaud acknowledged ongoing challenges, including growing reluctance among firms to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities due to potential repercussions. He also emphasized the need for better data collection and transparency in Canada regarding diversity metrics in the legal profession.
Persaud underscored the importance of firms and government bodies providing data on diversity progress. He believes that greater openness and transparency are crucial for advancing equity in the legal profession.
Throughout his tenure, Persaud demonstrated a commitment to addressing systemic issues and promoting meaningful change within SABA and the broader legal community. His leadership during this period of transition highlights the ongoing work required to create a more diverse and inclusive legal profession in Canada.
Continuing the Legacy: Devin Persaud’s Impact on Diversity in the Legal Profession
Devin Persaud’s leadership during his tenure as president of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) from 2020 to 2022 was marked by a series of transformative initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Beyond navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Persaud played a pivotal role in addressing systemic barriers and advocating for equity within the legal community.
One of Persaud’s key contributions was his efforts to bridge gaps between diverse communities. Following the murder of George Floyd, SABA, under his leadership, launched a Racial Justice Task Force. This initiative was designed to strengthen allyship between South Asians and the Black community, addressing issues of systemic racism and discrimination. The task force also tackled internal issues within the South Asian community, such as colourism and caste-based discrimination, offering unconscious bias training sessions across North America.
Persaud also emphasized the importance of data-driven approaches to advancing diversity and inclusion. He called for greater transparency in reporting diversity metrics within the legal profession, urging law firms and government bodies to provide actionable data. This, he argued, would help track progress and hold institutions accountable for their commitments to equity.
Despite the progress made during his tenure, Persaud acknowledged the growing reluctance among some law firms to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He noted that this hesitation often stemmed from concerns about potential repercussions, such as backlash or perceived criticism. To address this, Persaud advocated for a cultural shift within firms, encouraging open dialogue and the creation of safe spaces for diverse voices to be heard.
Persaud’s commitment to fostering inclusivity extended beyond the legal profession. He emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration, recognizing that meaningful change required collective effort. Through SABA’s expanded programming and initiatives, he helped create opportunities for sole practitioners, foreign-trained lawyers, and underrepresented groups to thrive in the legal field.
As Persaud’s tenure came to a close, he reflected on the ongoing challenges facing the legal profession. He underscored the need for sustained advocacy and the importance of leveraging data to drive decision-making. His work during this critical period set a foundation for future leaders to build upon, ensuring that the push for diversity and inclusion remained a priority in the years to come.
Conclusion
Devin Persaud’s leadership as president of the South Asian Bar Association from 2020 to 2022 was instrumental in advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which he navigated by shifting SABA’s focus to support members’ mental health and domestic violence concerns, raising substantial funds for relief efforts. Persaud also spearheaded initiatives like the Racial Justice Task Force, fostering allyship between South Asian and Black communities, and addressing internal issues such as colorism and caste-based discrimination through unconscious bias training.
Despite progress, Persaud highlighted the ongoing lack of diversity in Toronto’s legal profession, emphasizing the need for transparency in diversity metrics. He faced reluctance from law firms to engage in DEI initiatives due to fear of backlash, advocating for cultural shifts and safe spaces for diverse voices. His efforts extended beyond the legal field, emphasizing community collaboration and the importance of sustained advocacy and data-driven decisions for future progress.
FAQ
What were Devin Persaud’s main contributions to SABA?
Devin Persaud led SABA through the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting focus to mental health and domestic violence support, raising funds for relief, and launching the Racial Justice Task Force to address systemic racism and discrimination.
What was the purpose of the Racial Justice Task Force?
The task force aimed to strengthen allyship between South Asian and Black communities, addressing systemic racism, and providing unconscious bias training while tackling internal issues like colorism and caste-based discrimination.
What challenges did Persaud face in promoting diversity?
Persaud encountered reluctance from law firms to engage in DEI initiatives due to fear of backlash, highlighting the need for cultural shifts and safe spaces for diverse voices.
Why did Persaud emphasize data transparency in diversity efforts?
Persaud stressed the importance of data transparency to track progress and hold institutions accountable, advocating for law firms and government bodies to provide actionable diversity metrics.
What is Persaud’s vision for the future of diversity in the legal profession?
Persaud’s vision includes sustained advocacy, data-driven decision-making, and continued community collaboration to ensure diversity and inclusion remain priorities in the legal profession.
