Jayashree Goswami is the winner of this year’s Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers’ Ontario Social Justice Award
Congratulations to Jayashree Goswami, Senior Legal Counsel (Claims) for winning the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers’ Ontario Social Justice Award!
The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers promotes equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the broader community. Their Ontario Social Justice Award recognizes exceptional achievement in diversity, public service, innovation, professional development, leadership, philanthropy, and volunteerism.
Jayashree was recognized on February 8th at the Toronto Region Board of Trade for her extensive advocacy work, leadership and volunteerism in diversity & inclusion.
“I have lived in two countries: India and Canada,” says Jayashree. “In both, I have been keenly aware of inequities that inevitably result from the disparity between privilege in its various forms and the lack thereof. This has crystallised my view that democracy and its concomitant rights of liberty and equality are not laurels to rest on but require constant vigilance and advocacy.”
Jayashree began volunteering 13 years ago as a first-year lawyer. She’s served on The Access to Justice Group of the Law Society of Ontario and acted as President of the South Asian Bar Association, Vice-Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Equality Committee and Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, among many other roles.
Among her accomplishments: advocating against Carding and Street Checks by police disproportionately targeting Black Canadians, organizing a Leave to Intervene application in the Federal Court of Appeal in favour of a Muslim woman’s right to wear a niqab at her Canadian Citizenship ceremony and assisting with Law Society of Ontario’s initiatives on retention of women in private practice and challenges faced by racialized lawyers.
“Given my education and life experiences, and the fact that I work for an employer that expressly values inclusion, I am acutely aware of my unique privilege to influence diversity & inclusion at work,” Jayshree says. “I hope to empower and influence those around me to do the same in a way that is critical, effective and respectful.”
“This award is important because it recognizes the value of volunteer work,” she says. “I consider this honour a token of trust from my community and one that I must reciprocate by continuing in my efforts.”
We’re proud to have you as a colleague, Jayashree. Your commitment to our values makes you a credit to your profession and a source of pride to the Intact community.
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