Nicole Salama's Linkedin Analytics

I am a law firm leader with over 20 years of experience . I've held roles across the industry from practicing as a commercial litigator and working at Osgoode, to developing and executing legal talent and learning strategies at three major law firms. In my current role as the Assistant Director of Professional Resources, Equity and Associate Performance at Cassels I manage the firm's Associate Skills Development Program for junior associates and am responsible for junior associates' success across the firm's three Canadian offices. I work with the PR team on special projects and student recruitment as well. As the Director of Legal Talent at Minden Gross LLP, I managed the recruitment and retention strategies for the firm's lawyers and students. I advanced and optimized the lawyer and student continuing legal education programs and coached each student and associate to meet their own goals and the firm's objectives. I collaborated with all members of the team to build impactful people initiatives to create an inclusive and welcoming experience. While working in this role, I held leadership positions in the Canadian NALP community, including co-Chairing the Canadian Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Group and co-Chairing the Canadian Winter Meeting Planning Committee. Before joining Minden Gross I led the associate and law clerk programs at the Gowling WLG Toronto office, where I managed roughly 100 legal professionals from recruitment to professional development and retention. I collaborated with all members of the organization with respect to recruitment, integration, productivity and work allocation. As a Program Lawyer and Legal Career Counselor at Osgoode Hall Law School I designed, developed and implemented professional development programs for students. My programs provided students with hands on skills and training in various subjects ranging from financial literacy to design thinking. I also advised students on job search techniques and preparation and assisted with running recruitment processes for our students. When I first started at Osgoode I was the Manager of Faculty Governance and the Dean's Office where I ran the faculty recruitment process, wrote strategic plans for the school and was a member of the law school's management team. Prior to working at the law school, I spent several years practicing commercial litigation at a mid-size downtown Toronto law firm. My passion for helping build a better and more diverse legal profession continues to influence my work and volunteer commitments.