On November 4, 2006, lawyers of South Asian descent were invited to attend a meeting at the Howard Johnson Toronto East Hotel for the purpose of organizing a South Asian Lawyers Association for South Asian lawyers, judges and law students. A total of sixty lawyers were in attendance. At the same meeting, eight individuals were elected to serve as the Steering Committee of what would later become Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers.
The Association was incorporated as a non-share capital corporation and received Letters Patent on September 27, 2007, at which time its formal name became Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers (CASAL). The By-Laws were ratified by the Steering Committee and an interim Executive Committee was appointed at the first meeting of incorporators on April 17, 2008 in Mississauga, Ontario. Through these documents and discussions, CASAL's mission began to take shape: to support initiatives that value diversity in the legal profession; promote the advancement of lawyers and law students of South Asian background; provide a forum for professional networking and development of South Asian lawyers, legal scholarship and education, and advocacy and community involvement; and, to support the provision of legal services to the South Asian community.
On October 18, 2008, CASAL held its first Annual General Meeting at Sahara Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario, at which time elections were held to select the Board of Directors. Of the 15 candidates who stood for election and the more than 50 members in attendance, a 12 member Board of Directors was chosen.
On October 29th, 2008 the newly minted Board of Directors, at its first Board meeting, selected its executive officers as follows:
President - Jas Mangat
Vice President - Parm Prashad
Vice President - Joga Chahal
Treasurer - Inderbir Arora
Secretary - Raj Sharda
The other Board of Directors are Shanthi Devanand, Sandeep Johal, Preet Kaler, Sunita Malik and Parvinder Saund.
Joga Chahal, as Vice President of CASAL, was interviewed in the July 2009 edition of Sanvad. Click here to view Mr. Chahal's interview.
Past Events: CASAL Networking Event, December 10, 2008
CASAL held its first Networking Event on December 10, 2008 at Arizona Bar & Grill in Mississauga. This event was well attended and enjoyed. Approximately sixty (60) lawyers attended this event. CASAL would like to thank all those that did attend for their support, comments and ideas. To view pictures from the Networking Event click here.
Past Events: CASAL First Gala Dinner, Friday May 29, 2009, Courtyard Marriott, Brampton, Ontario. To view pictures from the First Gala Dinner click here.
Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers celebrates South Asian Heritage Month with The Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General of Ontario
Over 150 lawyers and judges attended CASAL's first inaugural dinner on May 29, 2009 at the Brampton Marriott to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. The chief guest of the evening was The Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General of Ontario.
In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, CASAL at its first inaugural dinner, acknowledged the achievements and excellence made by South Asians in law and the legal profession by honouring four Jugdes representing the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Ontario Court of Justice.
The Judges honoured at CASAL’s inaugural dinner were: The Honourable Mr. Russell G. Juriansz of the Ontario Court of Appeal; The Honourable Mr. Justice Minoo F. Khoorshed of the Ontario Court of Justice; The Honourable Madam Justice Feroza Bhabha of the Ontario Court of Justice; and, The Honourable Madam Justice Manjusha Pawagi of the Ontario Court of Justice.
Past Events: CASAL First Family Picnic, Sunday August 23, 2009, Kelso Park, Milton. To view pictures from the First Family Picnic click here.
Click here to view document: CASAL Letters Patent dated September 27, 2007 
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