Isfahan Merali is a 1995 graduate of the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, and was selected as a Human Rights Fellow at the Faculty of Law from 1999-2000. During her law studies she developed a particular focus on international human rights law. Isfahan practiced human rights and administrative law as Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission from 1995 to 2012. She was also the Commission’s Acting Registrar during a period of significant transition within the human rights system in Ontario. Isfahan was previously seconded as Counsel and Deputy Registrar to the Ontario Judicial Council/Justices of the Peace Review Council, Office of the Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice. Since 2012, she has been Tribunal Senior Counsel to the Consent and Capacity Board where she practices in the areas of administrative and mental health law. Isfahan has served as the Acting Director of the International Human Rights Programme at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, and in 2009-2010 she was chosen to direct the University of Toronto’s tri-campus Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office.
Isfahan has acted as a consultant and Board Director to diverse non-governmental organizations on international human rights law issues, and advocated on their behalf at the United Nations. In Geneva and New York. She is the co-editor of Giving Meaning to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (University of Pennsylvania Press) and author of various peer-reviewed journal articles and manuals on human rights and international law. She has presented in Canada and abroad on topics including human rights, international women’s rights and children’s rights. Isfahan is a recipient of the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto’s 2015 Award for Legal Excellence & Leadership. She is the Toronto Lawyer’s Association (TLA)’s 2022 recipient of the prestigious Honsberger Award. She was the first racialized Trustee of the Law Foundation of Ontario. Isfahan was elected as a Bencher (Toronto region) to The Law Society of Ontario in three consecutive terms (2015, 2019 and 2023). She is a former Bencher Adjudicator to the Law Society Hearings and Appeals Tribunal. She is the first female Muslim-born and South Asian Bencher elected in the Law Society’s history. For more information, please see: www.isfahanmerali.com
Honours & Awards
Honsberger Award, Toronto Lawyer's Association (TLA), 2022
Community Leader, Federation of Asian Canadian Leaders (FACL) Community Leaders Showcase, 2017
Recipient of Legal Award for Excellence & Leadership, South Asian Bar Association, 2015
Recipient of Trinity-Spadina Community Service Award, 2013
Practice Experience
Senior Counsel, Consent & Capacity Board, 2012-Present
Counsel & Deputy Registrar, Ontario Judicial Council & Justice of the Peace Review Council, (Office of the Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice), 2016-2017
Counsel, Ontario Human Rights Commission, 1997-2012
Equity Officer (Senior Position), University of Toronto, 2009-2010
Director (Acting), International Human Rights Program, University of Toronto, 1999-2000
Education
Bimickaway Indigenous Cultural Competence Training, 2018
Indigenous Law Camp, University of Toronto (Cape Croker), 2017
Certificate in Elder Law, Osgoode Hall Law Society, 2018
Certificate in Adjudication, Law Society Tribunal & Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators, 2015
Effective Decisions Writing Certificate, Society of Adjudicators and Regulators, 2009.
Adjudicator Training Certificate, Society of Adjudicators and Regulators, 2009
Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification, University of Windsor, 2009
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification, University of Windsor, 2006
Human Rights Fellow, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, 1999-2000
International Human Rights Certification, Canadian Human Rights Foundation, 1997
Call to the Bar, The Law Society of Upper Canada, 1997
Bachelor of Laws, University of Toronto, 1995
Diploma in Spanish Language Studies, Honours Distinction, Official School of Languages, Barcelona, Spain, 1993
Advanced Diploma in French Studies, Université de Pau, Academie de Bordeaux, France, 1993
Bachelor of Arts with Distinction (Double Major in Canadian Studies & History, Minor in East Asian Studies), University College, 1990
Membership & Service
Bencher, Toronto Region, The Law Society of Ontario: Former Vice-Chair and current Member, Equity & Aboriginal Issues Committee; Former Chair, Tribunal Committee; Former Chair, Mental Health Working Group; Former Member, Priority and Planning Committee & LL.D. & Awards Committee; Former Member, Indigenous Review Panel
Former Tribunal Member, Hearing & Appeal Division, Law Society Tribunal
Former Trustee, Law Foundation of Ontario
South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, Member & Mentor
Canadian Black Lawyers Association (CABL) Speed Mentoring Event, May 2017
Volunteer Mock Trial Judge, Ontario Law Day Mock Trial, OBA/OJEN Mock Trial Programme for High School Students, April 2017
Volunteer Mock Trial Appeal Judge, Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot, Black Law Students’ Association of Canada, February 2017
Panel Judge, Precedent Setter Award, 2016
Equity Advisory Group, Member, The Law Society of Upper Canada, 2009-2015
Osgoode Public Interest Program & The Advocate's Society, Mental Health Law Program, Former Mentor
Association of Law Officers of the Crown (ALOC), Member and Former Member of Bargaining Team (2007-2009) &
ALOC Branch Representative (2006 to present)
Ministry of the Attorney General, Diversity Committee, Former Member
Ministry of the Attorney General, Mentoring Committee, Former Member
Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators (SOAR), Member
Ontario Bar Association, Member (Administrative, Constitutional & Human Rights, Criminal, Family and Elder Law Section Member)
The Advocates Society, Member
Women’s Law Association of Ontario, Member
Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Associate Member
Ronald MacDonald House, Sick Children’s Hospital, Former Volunteer
International Human Rights Programme/Women’s Human Rights Website (WHRR), Faculty of Law, Univ. of Toronto, Former Volunteer
Pro Bono Students Canada, Former Project Supervisor & Mentor
St. Albans Boy’s & Girls Club, Former Volunteer
Law in Action within Schools (LAWS), Former Volunteer
Action Canada for Population and Development, Former Board Director
Human Rights Internet, Former Board Director
Horizon Alternative Senior School, Former Co-Chair, School Advisory Council, 2010-2015
Selected Presentations & Speeches
Panelist, Human Rights Panel, SOAR Adjudicator Training Certificate Course, 2019
Panelist, Leading Change: Leadership Development Bootcamp for Racialized Lawyers, CBA, May 2019
Panelist, A Conversation on Diversity, NCA Network & Toronto Lawyer's Association, March 2019
Opening Remarks, Hispanic Heritage Month Program: Latinas in Leadership”, November, 2018
Opening Remarks, Canadian Black Lawyer’s Association Annual Conference, October 2018
Panelist, Cultural Competence, 6th Annual Human Rights Summit, LSO CPD, December 7, 2017
Speaker, Pro Bono Student Canada Annual Conference (Theme: Indigenous Issues), May 18, 2017
Closing Remarks, Asian and South Asian Heritage Equity Event, Law Society of Upper Canada, "Combatting Islamaphobia", May 9, 2017
Panelist, “Networking Tips for Women Lawyers: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities”, Ontario Bar Association, December 2016
Panelist, “Through the Door and at the Table: Women & Racial Diversity”, The Law Society of Upper Canada & Women’s Law Association of Ontario, September 2016
Moderator and Opening Remarks, “Speaking up for Positive Mental Health Awareness and Support”, The Law Society of Upper Canada, May 2016
Panelist, Diverse Careers for Women in Law, WLAO & The Law Society of Upper Canada, April 2016
Language Skills
Fluent in English, good knowledge of French and Spanish; basic comprehension of Kachi, Catalan and Italian.
Isfahan has acted as a consultant and Board Director to diverse non-governmental organizations on international human rights law issues, and advocated on their behalf at the United Nations. In Geneva and New York. She is the co-editor of Giving Meaning to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (University of Pennsylvania Press) and author of various peer-reviewed journal articles and manuals on human rights and international law. She has presented in Canada and abroad on topics including human rights, international women’s rights and children’s rights. Isfahan is a recipient of the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto’s 2015 Award for Legal Excellence & Leadership. She is the Toronto Lawyer’s Association (TLA)’s 2022 recipient of the prestigious Honsberger Award. She was the first racialized Trustee of the Law Foundation of Ontario. Isfahan was elected as a Bencher (Toronto region) to The Law Society of Ontario in three consecutive terms (2015, 2019 and 2023). She is a former Bencher Adjudicator to the Law Society Hearings and Appeals Tribunal. She is the first female Muslim-born and South Asian Bencher elected in the Law Society’s history. For more information, please see: www.isfahanmerali.com
Honours & Awards
Honsberger Award, Toronto Lawyer's Association (TLA), 2022
Community Leader, Federation of Asian Canadian Leaders (FACL) Community Leaders Showcase, 2017
Recipient of Legal Award for Excellence & Leadership, South Asian Bar Association, 2015
Recipient of Trinity-Spadina Community Service Award, 2013
Practice Experience
Senior Counsel, Consent & Capacity Board, 2012-Present
Counsel & Deputy Registrar, Ontario Judicial Council & Justice of the Peace Review Council, (Office of the Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice), 2016-2017
Counsel, Ontario Human Rights Commission, 1997-2012
Equity Officer (Senior Position), University of Toronto, 2009-2010
Director (Acting), International Human Rights Program, University of Toronto, 1999-2000
Education
Bimickaway Indigenous Cultural Competence Training, 2018
Indigenous Law Camp, University of Toronto (Cape Croker), 2017
Certificate in Elder Law, Osgoode Hall Law Society, 2018
Certificate in Adjudication, Law Society Tribunal & Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators, 2015
Effective Decisions Writing Certificate, Society of Adjudicators and Regulators, 2009.
Adjudicator Training Certificate, Society of Adjudicators and Regulators, 2009
Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification, University of Windsor, 2009
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification, University of Windsor, 2006
Human Rights Fellow, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, 1999-2000
International Human Rights Certification, Canadian Human Rights Foundation, 1997
Call to the Bar, The Law Society of Upper Canada, 1997
Bachelor of Laws, University of Toronto, 1995
Diploma in Spanish Language Studies, Honours Distinction, Official School of Languages, Barcelona, Spain, 1993
Advanced Diploma in French Studies, Université de Pau, Academie de Bordeaux, France, 1993
Bachelor of Arts with Distinction (Double Major in Canadian Studies & History, Minor in East Asian Studies), University College, 1990
Membership & Service
Bencher, Toronto Region, The Law Society of Ontario: Former Vice-Chair and current Member, Equity & Aboriginal Issues Committee; Former Chair, Tribunal Committee; Former Chair, Mental Health Working Group; Former Member, Priority and Planning Committee & LL.D. & Awards Committee; Former Member, Indigenous Review Panel
Former Tribunal Member, Hearing & Appeal Division, Law Society Tribunal
Former Trustee, Law Foundation of Ontario
South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, Member & Mentor
Canadian Black Lawyers Association (CABL) Speed Mentoring Event, May 2017
Volunteer Mock Trial Judge, Ontario Law Day Mock Trial, OBA/OJEN Mock Trial Programme for High School Students, April 2017
Volunteer Mock Trial Appeal Judge, Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot, Black Law Students’ Association of Canada, February 2017
Panel Judge, Precedent Setter Award, 2016
Equity Advisory Group, Member, The Law Society of Upper Canada, 2009-2015
Osgoode Public Interest Program & The Advocate's Society, Mental Health Law Program, Former Mentor
Association of Law Officers of the Crown (ALOC), Member and Former Member of Bargaining Team (2007-2009) &
ALOC Branch Representative (2006 to present)
Ministry of the Attorney General, Diversity Committee, Former Member
Ministry of the Attorney General, Mentoring Committee, Former Member
Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators (SOAR), Member
Ontario Bar Association, Member (Administrative, Constitutional & Human Rights, Criminal, Family and Elder Law Section Member)
The Advocates Society, Member
Women’s Law Association of Ontario, Member
Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Associate Member
Ronald MacDonald House, Sick Children’s Hospital, Former Volunteer
International Human Rights Programme/Women’s Human Rights Website (WHRR), Faculty of Law, Univ. of Toronto, Former Volunteer
Pro Bono Students Canada, Former Project Supervisor & Mentor
St. Albans Boy’s & Girls Club, Former Volunteer
Law in Action within Schools (LAWS), Former Volunteer
Action Canada for Population and Development, Former Board Director
Human Rights Internet, Former Board Director
Horizon Alternative Senior School, Former Co-Chair, School Advisory Council, 2010-2015
Selected Presentations & Speeches
Panelist, Human Rights Panel, SOAR Adjudicator Training Certificate Course, 2019
Panelist, Leading Change: Leadership Development Bootcamp for Racialized Lawyers, CBA, May 2019
Panelist, A Conversation on Diversity, NCA Network & Toronto Lawyer's Association, March 2019
Opening Remarks, Hispanic Heritage Month Program: Latinas in Leadership”, November, 2018
Opening Remarks, Canadian Black Lawyer’s Association Annual Conference, October 2018
Panelist, Cultural Competence, 6th Annual Human Rights Summit, LSO CPD, December 7, 2017
Speaker, Pro Bono Student Canada Annual Conference (Theme: Indigenous Issues), May 18, 2017
Closing Remarks, Asian and South Asian Heritage Equity Event, Law Society of Upper Canada, "Combatting Islamaphobia", May 9, 2017
Panelist, “Networking Tips for Women Lawyers: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities”, Ontario Bar Association, December 2016
Panelist, “Through the Door and at the Table: Women & Racial Diversity”, The Law Society of Upper Canada & Women’s Law Association of Ontario, September 2016
Moderator and Opening Remarks, “Speaking up for Positive Mental Health Awareness and Support”, The Law Society of Upper Canada, May 2016
Panelist, Diverse Careers for Women in Law, WLAO & The Law Society of Upper Canada, April 2016
Language Skills
Fluent in English, good knowledge of French and Spanish; basic comprehension of Kachi, Catalan and Italian.
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Check out my opinion pieces in Precedent Magazine on my joint Bencher campaigns:
http://lawandstyle.ca/law/opinion-the-inside-story-of-the-first-female-south-asian-bencher/ https://lawandstyle.ca/career/why-am-i-campaigning-for-bencher-with-a-running-mate/ |
Isfahan Merali Bencher, Toronto Region