NCA Network Presents
Career &
Networking
Summit 2026
September 17, 2026
Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre
Toronto
A full day of insight, connection, mentorship and inspiration for NCA candidates, law students and legal professionals across Canada.
01
A room full of people
who understand where
you're coming from.
Join us for our third annual Career & Networking Summit — a full day of insight, connection, and inspiration for NCA candidates, law students, and legal professionals across Canada. Learn from seasoned lawyers, recruiters, and leaders in law as they share their career journeys and practical advice, and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors in the Canadian legal profession.
Career Insight
Learn from lawyers, employers and leaders in the legal profession.
Real Connections
Meet peers, mentors, recruiters and legal professionals.
Mentorship
Connect with experienced legal professionals who understand the NCA journey.
Practical Guidance
Gain insight into licensing, experience and financial support.
Connect.
Learn.
Grow.
Real people.
Real conversations.
Real opportunities.
02
The Summit
Schedule
Morning
8:30 AM
Registration Opens
9:00 AM
Opening Remarks
9:30 AM
- Ryan Baker — Dentons
- Michael Tam — Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development
- Moderated by Kim Gale — Gale Law
10:15 AM
Special Address
- Deborah Wolfe — Executive Director of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
10:45 AM
Mentoring Roundtables
11:00 AM
Networking Lunch
Afternoon
01:00 PM
Building A Legal Career On Your Own Terms
- Erin Cowling — Author, The Modern Freelance Lawyer; Founder, Flex Legal Network
01:30 PM
Navigating the Path to Practice: Licensing, Experience and Financial Support
- Andre Bacchus — Law Practice Program (LPP) at TMU
- Assia Hamdane — Windmill Microlending
Moderated by Elena Kozachek — Marciano Beckenstein LLP
2:15 PM
Mentoring Roundtables
4:00 PM
Networking Reception
Stay after the formal program to network with drinks and appetizers.
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Featured
Speakers
Deborah Wolfe
Executive Director of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
Erin Cowling
Author, The Modern Freelance Lawyer; Founder, Flex Legal Network
Ryan Baker
Dentons
Director, Talent (Student Programs)
Michael Tam
Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development
Andre Bacchus
Law Practice Program (LPP) at TMU
Assia Hamdane
Windmill Microlending
Kim Gale
Gale Law
Elena Kozachek
Marciano Beckenstein LLP
04
Meet The
Mentors
A full day, from registration to reception. The PDF below remains the official detailed program — this is a visual guide to the day.
Norman Bacal
Respected Legal Advisor, Author, Speaker
Natasha Racco
Manager, Work Experience LLP
Rohat Jumani
Fasken
Bisoye Shinaba
Dentons
Ian Andrew Amirthanathan
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Ilisha Manerikar
Dentons
Doug Higgins
Hull & Hull
Paral Mehta
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Justice Okezie
Intact Insurance
Linda Guma
Aird & Berlis LLP
Richard J. Gajdowski
Gajdowski Law
Kateryna Kozachuk
BDO
Arsalan Ahmed
Progressive Legal Solutions
Anatolii Panin
Construct Legal
Mark Mejia
Scotiabank
Egor Dubinin
Mills & Mills LLP
05
Built for the people
building their future
in Canadian law.
NCA Candidates
Law Students
Legal Professionals
Expand your network, share experience and connect with the next generation of legal talent
06
Proudly
Supported By
Presenting
Venue
Reception
Stage
Tables
