This episode of the podcast, hosted by Eric Sherkin, a partner at Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto, features a discussion about business development for litigators, with lawyer and career coach Jane Southren and Kelly Osaka, a partner at Dentons LLP in Calgary. The conversation explores mindset shifts needed to effectively transition from associate to partner, relationship-building techniques, and practical tips for balancing business development with other professional and personal responsibilities. Listeners will gain insights into leveraging modern tools, creating personalized approaches, and building sustainable practices in today’s evolving legal landscape.

Eric Sherkin is a commercial litigation lawyer at Miller Thomson, with broad experience across many areas of practice, and a particular focus on creditors’ remedies and contract disputes. He has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario, has extensive experience with injunctions, and maintains a growing practice in property tax assessment appeals under the Assessment Act. Eric has been recognized as a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation since 2022 and a Thomson Reuters “Standout Lawyer” since 2023. He is an active member of his community and currently serves on The Advocates’ Society’s Mid-Career Advocates Standing Committee (MASC).

Jane Southren is the Founder of Southren Group Inc. (SGI), a coaching and consulting firm that empowers lawyers and law firms to build sustainable, fulfilling practices. With nearly 30 years of experience as a litigator, business development leader, and executive coach, Jane brings rare insight into the human side of legal success. At SGI, she leads programs that blend behavioural science, strategy, and real-world application—helping lawyers align their practices with their values, relationships, and goals. Known for inspiring confidence and sparking growth, Jane's mission is to help people think, be, and do better - professionally and personally.

Kelly Osaka is a Partner at Dentons in Calgary in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group, the Privacy and Cybersecurity group, and co-lead of the Privacy Litigation subgroup. Kelly is known for her expertise in complex commercial litigation, with a focus on class action defence, securities litigation, shareholder disputes, plans of arrangement, ESG and greenwashing risks and navigating governance best practices. Kelly is a trusted leader in privacy and cybersecurity, providing practical solutions in a rapidly evolving landscape. She is a frequent speaker and writer on litigation and privacy topics, offering practical, business-focused legal solutions.

Land Acknowledgement

The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.

While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.

We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.