In this episode of Friends Who Argue, construction lawyer Web Haile speaks with the winner of the 2020 Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award, Ranjan Agarwal. Ranjan is a partner and co-head of Bennett Jones' class actions practice who has achieved numerous accomplishments and accolades over the course of his career. Through the lens of his experiences, Ranjan shares lessons learned from Mr. Hoaken (a Bennett Jones colleague and mentor) and words of wisdom about wide-ranging topics such as mentorship, developing as a new lawyer, succeeding in practice as a racialized lawyer, setting priorities, and building a fulfilling career.    

The Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award is granted to recipients in recognition of dedication to mentoring other advocates; generosity of time and expertise, with a commitment to assisting more junior advocates; commitment to The Advocates’ Society’s mentoring and educational programs; and professionalism in all aspects of his or her participation in the work of the Society, including mentoring and education programs.
 
 Ranjan Agarwal is a partner and co-head of the class actions practice at Bennett Jones. He is a seasoned advocate, having appeared before the Supreme Court on more than a dozen cases. A past president of the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, Ranjan has held leadership roles in the Advocates' Society and has spoken at a number of the Advocates' Society's CPD programs, including programs regarding advocacy, business development, and at the Spring Symposium. Inline to become the president of the Ontario Bar Association in 2022, Mr. Agarwal will then be the first lawyer of South Asian descent to lead the OBA. Ranjan has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, where Web first met him. 

Web Haile is a construction and infrastructure lawyer practicing at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, in Toronto. She acts for construction project participants throughout the project life cycle, from drafting and advising on the negotiation of construction contracts to providing strategic dispute management advice and supporting clients during negotiation, mediation, litigation, or arbitration.