February 25, 2025
Championing One With Another (COWA)
Diversity and Inclusion Series
Event Series
91 King Street East
The Albany Club
Opening time
6:00PM to 9:00 PM
Dinner Event
Event Type
OVERVIEW
Championing
one with another
The Championing One With Another (COWA) series returned with an insightful edition titled “Is Diversity Still Relevant in the Legal Industry” — an evening dedicated to meaningful conversations, reflection, and action.
Held on February 25, 2025, at The Albany Club, 91 King Street East, the dinner event was part of The Albany Club’s Capitalism, Diversity, and Inclusion Series and was proudly organized by Blink Equity, in partnership with ZSA Legal Recruitment and The Albany Club.
This edition of COWA celebrated Black History Month by honoring the achievements of Black professionals and exploring the evolving role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal industry. Through candid dialogue and shared experiences, legal leaders and change-makers examined how organizations can foster authentic allyship, drive equitable practices, and create a more inclusive professional culture.
Blending networking, dinner, and a dynamic panel discussion, the event offered fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and a renewed commitment to building a more just and representative legal community.
EVENT THEME
Is Diversity Still Relevant in the Legal Industry?
The 2025 edition of the COWA series explored the evolving relevance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in today’s legal profession. The discussion highlighted the importance of allyship, multicultural collaboration, and empowerment, while honoring the contributions of Black professionals during Black History Month.
EVENT THEME
Community & Impact
The 2025 COWA event united legal professionals, corporate leaders, and advocates to advance equity and inclusion in the legal industry. Through meaningful dialogue and collaboration, it fostered allyship, mentorship, and lasting connections that continue to inspire inclusive leadership and systemic change.
SHARED HIGHLIGHTS
Inspiring Dialogue
The panel sparked honest and thought-provoking conversations about the relevance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the modern legal landscape. Speakers shared personal experiences and practical strategies for building more inclusive workplaces.
Networking and Connection
The evening’s reception and dinner fostered authentic conversations among lawyers, executives, and advocates, creating opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and community building.
Celebrating Black Excellence
In honor of Black History Month, the event recognized the achievements and enduring impact of Black professionals in the legal industry, reinforcing the importance of representation and visibility.
Partnership in Action
The collaboration between Blink Equity, ZSA Legal Recruitment, and The Albany Club exemplified the power of cross-sector partnerships in advancing inclusion and driving systemic change.
Thought Leadership and Insight
Panelists, including Rustam Juma and Warren Bongard, offered actionable perspectives on embedding DEI into corporate culture and legal practice, inspiring attendees to lead with intention.
A Collective Commitment
The event concluded with a shared resolve to continue championing equity, allyship, and accountability within the legal community, turning dialogue into sustained action and measurable impact.
NETWORKING
The 2025 COWA event fostered meaningful connections among legal professionals, corporate leaders, and advocates.
Through a lively reception and dinner, attendees built new partnerships, mentorships, and collaborations, strengthening COWA’s growing community of inclusion and impact.
COLLECTIVE ACTION
The 2025 COWA event inspired participants to turn dialogue into sustained action. Attendees left with a shared commitment to advance equity, allyship, and accountability within their organizations and communities. The conversations sparked continue to shape ongoing initiatives that promote representation, leadership, and systemic change across the legal industry.
United in Purpose, Committed to Progress
WHY PEOPLE ATTEND
Learn & Network
Connect
Learn. Lead with Purpose.
Attendees join COWA to engage in meaningful conversations that shape the future of diversity and inclusion in the legal industry. The event offers a space to network with leaders, gain actionable insights, and be part of a community driving real, lasting change.
ATTENDEES
A Collective Commitment to Change in the Legal Profession
The 2025 COWA event brought together a diverse group of lawyers, corporate executives, in-house counsel, policymakers, and DEI advocates from across the legal and business communities.
Participants represented a range of organizations united by a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and meaningful change within the legal profession. The event provided a rare opportunity for cross-sector connection, fostering dialogue between emerging voices and established leaders.
OUTCOME
Advancing
the DEI Conversation
The COWA 2025 event deepened the industry-wide conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within Canada’s legal sector. Panelists and attendees explored actionable ways to integrate DEI into firm culture, hiring practices, and leadership development. The discussions highlighted the need for sustained commitment to inclusion as both a moral and strategic imperative, setting a forward-thinking tone for the industry.
Inspiring Organizational Change
Several participating firms and institutions reported plans to review or expand their DEI strategies following the event. Insights from speakers encouraged organizations to take measurable steps toward equity — from inclusive hiring and leadership pathways to accountability metrics. The event inspired attendees to lead change within their teams, reinforcing the role of COWA as a catalyst for tangible transformation.
Strengthening Professional Networks
The event facilitated meaningful connections among legal professionals, corporate executives, and DEI advocates. Through networking sessions and roundtable discussions, participants exchanged ideas, shared best practices, and identified collaboration opportunities. These connections have since evolved into ongoing partnerships and mentorship relationships that continue to build bridges across the profession.
Building a Sustainable Community of Practice
Beyond the event, COWA 2025 strengthened the foundation of a sustained community of practice around DEI in the legal industry. Blink Equity and its partners committed to maintaining engagement through future forums, research collaborations, and continuous dialogue. This growing community represents a lasting network dedicated to collective action, shared learning, and systemic progress.
OUR PARTNERS
The success of the 2025 Championing One With Another (COWA) event was made possible through the collaboration of dedicated partners who share a vision for a more inclusive legal industry.
Blink Equity led the initiative in partnership with ZSA Legal Recruitment and The Albany Club, whose collective support brought together leaders, innovators, and advocates committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Together, these partners created a platform that celebrated dialogue, connection, and actionable change within Canada’s legal community.
