Lazina Khan's Secret Sauce for Success

1. Who are you? What's your story?

I am currently an in-house litigator at a large property and casualty insurer and practicing in the GTA area. I moved to my current role in 2019 after nine years in private practice. I am also a mom to a 3 and 7 year old who keep me very busy.?

2. What's your definition of success?

My definition of success is fulfillment. If I am fulfilled in various aspects of my life, I am a better lawyer.?Billing the highest hours, becoming a partner at a law firm - those were never my goals. After moving to an in-house position, I finally have the time to fill my bucket in other ways beyond work. I volunteer on several boards, I am part of my child’s parent-teacher association, I run a book club and I actually have time to work out (Huge Peloton fan here!)

3. How did you achieve success?

It wasn’t easy and am I successful? I don’t know. But I am happy. Being a woman of colour in litigation has been an uphill battle. Even as recent as last year, I was asked if I was an interpreter at a discovery. You would think after a decade of practicing I would stop hearing these microaggressions. The legal profession has defined success in a certain way and it is easy to fall into the narrative that only working at a certain firm, making equity partner and so forth are the way to success.?Working at a large corporation, I do feel more supported and I do feel that I have more of a voice. I no longer try to hide my true self.

4. What's your secret sauce for success?

Not to listen to the outside noise. Not to let others define what success is for you.

5. Anything else you would like to share?

I struggled to get an articling job when I was graduating and thought I would never be happy or successful. Do not let the beginning of your career define you. I can assure you that you can achieve success.

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