An evening of celebration of South Asian Heritage Month

The Society of Asian Lawyers kicked off this year’s South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM”) 2026 with an event on 1 July 2026 in collaboration with CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP (“CMS”), The City of London Law Society, Society for Computers and Law and supported by The Law Society of England & Wales.

South Asian Heritage Month is a celebration of identity, culture and the journeys of South Asian communities, honouring their histories, contributions and the resilience that shapes each generation.

This year’s Unity in Diversity theme celebrates the richness of South Asian identities by highlighting how our differences strengthen our shared heritage, deepen connection and inspire collective progress.

Across the legal profession, stories of resilience, identity and leadership often unfold quietly, shaped by family histories, cultural expectations and the determination to carve out space where none existed before.

The Panel

We had the pleasure of bringing together a panel of talented, highly accomplished and inspirational lawyers:

• Bushra Raja – Head of Legal at Aon
• Adeep Segkar – Global Head of Commercial, Innovation and Technology Legal at Barclays
• Lanka Bandara – Partner at The Burnside Partnership
• Rashpal Kaul – Regional Head Legal Europe, Africa & Asia at Rabobank
• Salma Maqsood – Partner at Porter Dodson and President of the Bristol Law Society

This discussion was moderated by Sam De Silva, Partner at CMS.

Each panel member candidly shared their journeys, reflecting on what inspired them, the barriers they faced, the pressure to assimilate and the advice they would give the next generation. Their stories reveal not only personal strength but a collective call for inclusion, authenticity and courage.

What inspired you?

For many, inspiration began at home.

Bushra, now Head of Legal at Aon and trained at CMS, grew up in a family of first‑generation immigrants. Her parents carried the hopes of a better life and she carried theirs. She recounted having to choose from a “list of professions” created by her parents for her siblings and her which they believed would secure each of their children’s future. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, doctor was already taken and with her passion for being vocal, lawyer seemed to be the best fit. With no role models in the corporate world, Bushra pursued law with a clear end goal and focussed perseverance. Becoming a working mother as an NQ added complexity, but also fuelled her drive to succeed.

Adeep was expected to become a doctor, the traditional marker of academic success in his community. However, instead he forged his own path into law, driven by intellectual curiosity and a desire to build something meaningful. His inspiration came from the responsibility to create inclusion and to help others feel seen.

For Lanka, family was not just supportive, they were directive. Becoming a barrister or lawyer was never a question of “if” but “when.” That family expectation became her anchor as she navigated multiple jurisdictions and career transition, always staying focused on her goal.

Rashpal found inspiration in the East London skyline. Growing up in Whitechapel, he remembers looking at the City’s towers and thinking, “I will work there one day”. His parents encouraged him, he even joked that he was not good at maths but could certainly write a strong letter, a skill that would serve him well.

Salma, now a partner and President of the Bristol Law Society, was inspired by lived experience. With a community being frequently and disproportionately subjected to stop and search sparked her desire to understand the law, protect her community and ensure others never felt powerless.

Barriers, and how they navigated them

Each story carries its own set of obstacles.

Bushra had no mentor, guide nor blueprint. She faced compounded challenges as a working mother early in her career, but she kept going, driven by clarity of purpose.

For Adeep, the barrier was visibility. Having grown up in New Zealand added an additional layer to the experience of feeling different. He soon learnt that good work alone was not enough. Building a personal profile, understanding who influences decisions and learning how to influence them became essential skills.

Lanka, originally qualified as a barrister and later transitioned to being a solicitor. Following a break, she struggled with re-entry. Interviews opportunities were difficult and scarce. Her strategy was simple: perseverance. “I’ll try again tomorrow,” she told herself. And that she did until the doors finally opened.

Rashpal confronted assumptions about what South Asian lawyers “should” practice: criminal or immigration work. Social mobility challenges and lack of role models meant he had to craft his own vision of what a City lawyer could look like.

Salma faced judgement before she even spoke. Moving from London and back to her home place of Bristol, she questioned whether there was space for someone who looked like her. A mentor who championed her changed everything, helping her navigate these challenges and bias.

The pressure to assimilate, and how they dealt with it

Assimilation is a quiet, persistent pressure in the legal profession.

Bushra felt it acutely. As a Muslim woman from Manchester who did not consume alcohol, she entered a London culture where socialising revolved around alcohol but little else. To fit in, she felt compelled to participate (soft drink in hand) until she reached seniority and one day choose to challenge the norm: Why is the focus on alcohol? Her voice went on to help shift culture in her workplace, bringing in a more adaptive and inclusive socialising practice.

Rashpal remembers children being picked on for “smelling of curry” – a poignant reminder of how cultural identity was once mocked. Today, he notes with irony that curry is a national favourite and even the traditional fish and chips now often served with curry sauce. He had a vision, although no role model of what a corporate lawyer should look and sound like and learned to “polish up” his speech to fit in the corporate world yet ensure that he remained royal to his East London roots to then not feel “too posh” for his own community.

Salma spent years trying to be what others wanted. She recounted on being once advised that in order for her to progress in her legal career, she should remove her headscarf, jewellery, nose stud and change her clothing. Eventually, she chose authenticity over assimilation, and in doing so, empowered others to do the same.

Tips for young lawyers aspiring to leadership and partnership

The panel’s advice was practical, honest and rooted in lived experience:

• Be brave. Courage is a recurring theme. From Bushra’s insistence on cultural change to Rashpal’s call to “back yourself.”
• Find mentors and champions. Bushra emphasises that even your boss’s boss should know your inspirations. Salma’s career shifted when someone championed her.
• Build connections. Networking is not optional; it’s strategic. Adeep stressed knowing who influences decisions and learning how to influence them.
• Persevere. Lanka’s mantra: “try again tomorrow”, is a reminder that resilience is a leadership skill.
• Celebrate your success. Adeep highlighted the importance of recognising achievements and using them to foster inclusion.
• Use every platform. Rashpal encouraged young lawyers to speak up, share, learn and assimilate the world around them, without losing themselves.

What does SAHM mean to you?

Across all voices, SAHM (South Asian Heritage Month) represents:

• Celebration of identity, culture, and the sacrifices of previous generations.
• Recognition of families who worked hard, often silently, to create opportunities.
• Visibility: showing the next generation what is possible.
• Dialogue: as Salma said, conversation and curiosity open doors to understanding and in turn, trust.
• Progress: acknowledging how far the legal profession has come but still being aware of how much further it still has to go.

For Bushra, it’s about honouring her parents’ sacrifices, including her grandfather, who served in the Indian Army and never spoke of it. For Adeep, it’s about responsibility and inclusion. For Lanka, it’s about recognising change for women and pushing for more. For Rashpal, it’s about social mobility and pride in heritage. For Salma, it’s about empowerment through authenticity.

Attendees also shared their own experiences, emphasising that language matters and how language shapes the way we understand belonging: integration, rather than assimilation, should guide our thinking.

As the discussion deepened, attendees noted that clients were increasingly placing value on the diversity of the organisation(s) they instruct. This raised the question: should there be a shift of demanding more accountability from law firms?

There was also concern expressed about the growing pushback against diversity and diversity initiatives, with a shared determination to ensure progress is not reversed and stress placed upon the importance of keeping the dial moving forward.

A Shared Message

The panel all from different cities, backgrounds and journeys shared a common thread: they refused to let barriers define them. Their stories remind us that leadership is not just about titles – it’s about courage, authenticity and the willingness to create space for others.

Their voices highlighted a truth the legal profession must embrace: diversity is not an aspiration – it is a strength. And when we celebrate it, we do not just honour the past but we shape a future where every lawyer can lead with purpose.

Our thanks go to all of the collaborating organisations, and in particular to CMS for hosting the event at their London offices. Their support created both the space and the opportunity for attendees to share experiences, explore diversity and engage in meaningful dialogue. We are also grateful for the South Asian culinary delight that followed the panel discussion, adding a fitting and celebratory end to the evening.

As SAHM continues, keep an eye out for our South Asian Heritage Month Series 2026 on the Society of Asian Lawyers’ LinkedIn page, where we will be sharing stories, insights and reflections from many talents South Asian lawyers throughout the month.

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