Bilal Mirza, from Pakistan, finds city diverse, welcoming
Name: Bilal Mirza Age: 33 Position: Associate lawyer, Campbell Mihailovich Uggenti, LLP
Job description: I assist clients in setting up and restructuring corporations, buying and selling businesses, real estate transactions, estate planning and administration of estates. I strive to protect clients’ interests by providing the highest quality of legal services and ensuring effective communication with all parties involved.
Is this the job you thought you’d be doing? To (mis) quote Ray Liotta from Goodfellas: “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a (lawyer).” I really enjoy practising law and being able to do meaningful work by helping clients with their legal matters or problems.
Advice to others on launching a career: Some of the tools that I found quite helpful were networking and attending professional events, reaching out for guidance without hesitation and finding a good mentor.
Roots: I grew up in Pakistan, attended law school in England, worked as a lawyer for eight years before immigrating to Canada about two and a half years ago. I have been in Hamilton since then and love being here. Twitter handle: @bzmirza iPhone, Android or BB? Shameless Apple fanboy Recent Tweet or FB update: Twitter: “The man, the myth, the legend. Farewell to the King of Rome, Francesco Totti.” (May 28, 2017)
Networks: Hamilton Law Association, Rotary Club of Hamilton Mountain, Jinnah Cultural Society of Hamilton and Sons of Italy Football Club
Favourite restaurant in the downtown: Ole Gourmet in Stoney Creek. Amazing Mexican food and great service.
Best feature of life in Hamilton: In my short time here, I have found Hamilton to be a warm and welcoming community where multiculturalism is celebrated. The senior lawyers in the city and our Hamilton Law Association are quite supportive of young lawyers as well. There are a lot of great bike trails and golf courses to discover and many parks and waterfalls to visit with family and friends.
What would make Hamilton a better city: More halal restaurants!!
Contacts: bilal@cmulaw.com; 905-318-7717 ; @bzmirza (LinkedIn and Twitter)
Quote: “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde
If you know a Hamilton Professional who would make a good candidate for this profile series, send an email to shenderson@thespec.com.