The diverse, multilingual staff at Osuji & Smith helps set them apart. Team members speak English, Igbo, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. “I ensure that professionals with education, training and experience outside of Canada can thrive in my firm,” Charles explains.
“The success of Osuji & Smith is a testament to the fact that when people from different backgrounds come together and focus on shared core values such as excellence and compassion, while ignoring all artificial divides, magic happens.”
The pandemic hasn’t been easy, but Osuji & Smith has continued to grow, hiring 8 employees and embracing technology with the rest of the legal field. Virtual questioning, court hearings, settlement meetings, mediation, and more are giving the firm more convenient, cost-effective ways to support clients. “Pre-COVID, I would have to drive or fly to other cities — technology has mitigated these concerns. The costs associated with commuting to court have been reduced, giving clients more access to justice,” Charles said.
Technology has created new opportunities and efficiencies, but it doesn’t always benefit relationships and inclusion, two cornerstones of Charles’ business. “We are missing out on the opportunity to connect with our clients when we meet in person,” Charles explained. “Moreover, some clients do not have the technological savviness for these virtual tools.”