“I think the biggest issue when it comes to diversity is that it is very easy to push back on it by saying oh, the company just wants to get brownie points with this community – even if that’s the case so be it. Give the platform to these people to shine, and let our community shine just like anybody else did in the past,” – Nitin Bhatia

Nitin Bhatia, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and is one of the founding partners of SB LLP and the team lead of their Corporate Commercial group. Nitin’s practice includes managing transactional files in both corporate securities, its banking sector and commercial real estate sector. Nitin has also been a sessional professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Business and is currently a sessional professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in the area of commercial real estate and financing. Nitin currently serves as a Director with the Mortgage Loans Association of Alberta and as a Director with the South Asian Bar Association. The Universal Network’s own Kenny Bhullar had a chance to sit down with Nitin to talk about his experiences with creating his law firm, the journey he took in order to get to where he is today, and share both their personal experiences when it comes to creating different goals for themselves.

In the beginning of interview, Kenny and Nitin discuss the origins of Nitin’s law firm, and the growth that was needed for it be where it is today (19:07), what advice he would give for those thinking of starting their own firm or even business (21:49), and where the decision came from to expand the law firm (25:01). After a short break, Nitin shares some guidance he would give to young aspiring lawyers (29:01), his perspective of what it likes being someone of South Asian descent and the weight it carries in the courtroom (32:34), advice he would give to South Asians women looking to practice law, make a name for themselves and market themselves in the right way in order to make an impact (37:27), and the conversations that are needed to be had when it comes to diversity and equality (43:51). On the back end of the interview, Kenny and Nitin talk about whether sticking to a niche clientele is enough to be successful (47:34), what Nitin might do differently when raising his family compared to what he experienced growing up (52:12). Next, Kenny and Nitin talk about goal settings, and the importance of realizing what’s important in taking the next steps for the future (57:10), and finally, finding the proper balance between pursuing your passions and being realistic (1:04:41).