An innovative future building on a notable history

Anandi Naipaul discusses the changing legal landscape and the future of Ross & McBride

After nearly 20 years with the firm, Anandi Naipaul considers Ross & McBride her home.

This year, she was appointed to the position of Chair during a time of ongoing transformation in the legal industry. Founded in 1894, Ross & McBride has adapted to a changing world for almost 130 years.

“After the pandemic, the legal community is in a different space,” said Naipaul. “We need to adapt and achieve better balance for our clients, lawyers and staff.

“There’s a new generation of leadership ready to take on this challenge by embracing technology and building a sustainable future that considers equity, diversity, and inclusion,” she continued.

Naipaul, the first woman of colour to lead the firm, has helped build equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives at the firm for years. Ross & McBride views EDI as a pillar for evolving the firm’s identity while supporting long-term growth and building on the firm’s legacy as a community builder.

“The diversity of our firm needs to reflect the diversity of our clients,” Naipaul explained. “Recognizing the value of EDI helps us attract and retain top-tier legal talent and, in turn, better serve our clients. This means ensuring that our processes and people embody these values.”

A people-first approach to legal services

Ross & McBride is reimagining the way the firm serves clients, engages with stakeholders, contributes to the community, and fosters a vibrant post-pandemic culture.

“It can no longer be expected that people will either fit into one mould or fail,” she emphasized. “This culture shift creates more meaningful opportunities that lead to happier, more successful lawyers and staff.”

As part of creating a more inclusive culture, Ross & McBride is exploring technology to find new ways to serve clients. Adopting hybrid and flexible work environments is a key part of that philosophy. “In an industry notorious for burnout, it’s a mistake to try fitting lawyers and legal services into a single box,” said Naipaul.

This flexibility also means the firm can better adapt to clients’ needs — whether they want to connect in person, by video call, or even by text message. Investing in technology will support the firm’s success while making legal services more accessible for everyone.

“We’re home to a uniquely broad range of practice areas. Our clients are corporations, financial institutions, victims of racism, children, seniors, and more,” said Naipaul.

“We’re re-evaluating how we’re making ourselves available to them. Each needs something different, but all want great legal representation.”

Building on a history of strong leadership

Ross & McBride’s strong reputation puts the firm on solid footing to shape the evolving legal landscape. Naipaul highlights how grateful she is for the mentorship and opportunities available to her.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented lawyers and women in leadership, including our previous Chair, Joanne Guarasci, who have helped me to envision new possibilities,” she recalled. “Ross & McBride has always done groundbreaking work and we have a duty to continue pushing for change.

“I’m proud to be part of honouring our history and building our future.”

The partners at Ross & McBride congratulate Anandi Naipaul on her appointment as Chair, and look forward to further supporting clients and community as they build the firm’s innovative future together.

Learn more about what we’re up to at www.rossmcbride.com

In addition to being Chair of Ross & McBride, Anandi Naipaul is a Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at the firm and an active member of the legal community. She works exclusively on behalf of injured people and their families to ensure they receive the best possible outcome after an accident. She fights for the rights of her clients in a wide spectrum of cases including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic impairment, disability insurance, wrongful death, nursing home litigation and medical malpractice. Read more about Anandi, visit www.rossmcbride.com