Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) remain at the forefront of discussions in the legal industry—but how much progress has truly been made? This critical question took center stage at COWA 2025: Is Diversity Still Relevant in the Legal Industry? Held on April 26, 2025, the event brought together legal professionals, thought leaders, and advocates to examine the evolving role of DEI in law firms and corporate legal teams.
Hosted by Blink Equity, in partnership with ZSA Legal Recruitment and The Albany Club, COWA 2025 served as a platform for candid discussions on both the challenges and successes of advancing diversity in legal workplaces. The event featured insightful perspectives from a panel of professionals:
- Rustam Juma, General Counsel, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.
- Warren Bongard, President, ZSA Legal Recruitment
- Safiya Adenekan, GCU.D, Chief Compliance Officer, Canada at Cash App & Afterpay
- Kamika McLean, Business Executive, Lawyer, Community Leader
- Pako Tshiamala, CEO, Blink Equity
- Kenneth Jim, Staff Lawyer Legal Aid Ontario
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to these important conversations.