The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Shalini Konanur to its Board of Trustees, as of May 29, 2025.
Shalini is a Law Society of Ontario Bencher and has been the Executive Director and a lawyer at the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario since 2008. She practices in several areas of law including immigration, family, human rights, employment, income maintenance, housing, and gender-based violence. Shalini has appeared at all levels of court up to the Supreme Court of Canada and has provided expert advice related to racism, discrimination, and gender-based violence to multiple levels of governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the United Nations.
Shalini is a recipient of many awards including the Ontario Bar Association’s Award of Excellence in the Promotion of Women’s Equality, South Asian Bar Association of North America – Public Interest Lawyer of the Year, Canadian Bar Association’s Legal Aid Leader Award, and the Attorney General Victim Service Award of Distinction award. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998 and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2000.
Shalini replaces Linda Rothstein, who served 11 years on the Board, including 9 as Board Chair. Linda is a Partner at Paliare Roland and a former Bencher. She joined the Foundation’s Board in 2014 and became its first female Chair in 2016. The Foundation is deeply grateful to Linda for her wise and steadfast leadership during a time of significant change, for the Foundation and the world. Linda navigated the Foundation through dramatic revenue drops and unprecedented revenue and granting highs, the exponential growth of the Class Proceeding Fund, strategic planning, the transition to a new CEO and executive team, a milestone anniversary, and of course the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gerald Chan has been elected by his fellow Trustees to assume the Chair role. Gerald has served on the Board since 2023. He is a Bencher and a Partner at Stockwoods LLP Barristers.
“Speaking on behalf of the Board and staff teams, we are indebted to Linda for her tremendous support of the Foundation and her fellow Trustees,” said Gerald Chan, the Foundation’s Chair. “Linda has been one of the Foundation’s most dedicated champions. Her unparalleled vision and leadership have inspired us all, and her impact on the Foundation will endure. At the same time, we are extremely fortunate to be welcoming Shalini to the Board. Shalini has dedicated her career to promoting access to justice, particularly for racialized communities. With this experience, she will bring an invaluable perspective to the Foundation’s work.”
