The BLSA and SALSA Host a Candid Career Panel
On March 6, 2025, the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) and the South Asian Law Students’ Association (SALSA) joined forces—for the first time—to present “Litigator vs. Transactional Lawyer,” a panel that highlighted two common legal career paths. The event offered students a glimpse into the realities of litigation and transactional law. The conversation was as rich in wisdom as it was in candour.
The event brought together a star-studded line-up of lawyers: Christopher Yung and Jennah Khaled of Lenczner Slaght LLP, champions of the courtroom, and Sanjeev Patel and Natalie Tershakowec of Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, architects of the business world. During the discussion, these lawyers laid bare the realities of their respective fields while also addressing the unique challenges faced by racialized and women lawyers in the profession.
Litigators, as Yung put it, are the warriors of the profession. They live for the fight and thrill of advocacy. Khaled underscored the need for quick thinking, strong writing, and a love of persuasion. Patel, speaking from the transactional side, countered with a vision of lawyers as bridge-builders—crafting solutions, forging agreements, and helping businesses grow. Tershakowec added that while deal-making is less adversarial than litigation, it still requires strong advocates, with the goal of aligning both parties toward a common goal rather than engaging in battle.
Yet, as the conversation made clear, the law is not a zero-sum game. Whether in litigation or transactional work, success hinges on preparation, patience, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they arise. But beyond technical expertise, the panelists stressed an even more crucial element of success—purpose: the reason you step into the arena in the first place.
The conversation also explored the barriers that racialized and women lawyers encounter in the profession. Khaled discussed the difficulties in finding the right mentors as a minority. But she emphasized the importance of being resilient in finding the right mentors for you; those who understand your unique challenges, are willing to teach you, and champion your growth.
For the BLSA and SALSA members in attendance, the message was clear: whichever career path you choose, it is yours to shape.
Editor’s note: Garvin Brutus (2L) and Simrin Dhah (3L) are co-presidents of the BLSA and SALSA, respectively.
