Sarah Mavula, JD ’15, is a senior associate at Baker McKenzie LLP, where she has cultivated a robust solicitor’s practice. In her day-to-day legal work, she represents a wide range of clients, including pharmaceutical giants, beauty brands and car companies. In 2020, Mavula took on a major leadership role: she became the co-chair of Baker McKenzie’s inclusion and diversity committee.
Mavula also devotes significant time to pro bono work. Outside of her practice, Mavula is proud to donate her legal skills to Matthew House Toronto, a charity that provides housing and social services to refugees. When Mavula was a young child, her family fled the violence of the Burundian civil war in search of safety abroad. Alongside her father, mother and two older brothers, she built a new home in Canada. After witnessing her own family’s courage to overcome hardship, she is proud to donate her legal skills to the next generation of refugees.
Devin Persaud, JD ’14, is a senior associate at Goodmans LLP. At 33, Persaud has built an impressive competition, antitrust, marketing and compliance practice. When companies are hit with allegations of monopolistic behaviour or unfair business practices, he often takes a leading role in the case. Persaud is also a leader in the broader profession. Since August 2021, he’s been president of the Toronto chapter of the South Asian Bar Association.
At a young age, Persaud identified the law as a tool to fight injustice. He grew up in Malvern, one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto, where he remains an active member of the community. He helped found an organization for local youth, and he provides pro bono legal advice to community groups, noting that “It’s really important for those of us who’ve achieved something, to do what we can to send the elevator back down.”
Congratulations Sarah Mavula and Devin Persaud, on this well-deserved recognition!