As a dedicated leader within the Black Law Students' Association (BLSA) at both Queen’s and the national level, Julian Shivprasad, Law'26 (Artsci’22), has been instrumental in supporting fellow Black law students and fostering financial sustainability within BLSA. A first-generation Afro-Cuban and Indo-Guyanese law student, he brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences in student government, entrepreneurship, and finance. In this Q&A, Shivprasad shares his journey, insights, and his work to improve opportunities for his peers.

How did you become involved with finance-related roles in both BLSA Queen’s and BLSA Canada? What does your work in these roles involve, and how do you see it contributing to each organization’s growth?

Everything somewhat fell into place! Getting into law school took me two tries, and after the first, I decided to jump into my passion for cars and started a car rental business in case the whole law school thing didn’t pan out. Not only did the law school thing work out, but being a prior business owner (and having a bit of a nerdy interest in personal finance) came up in conversations with my peers at BLSA Queen’s. They encouraged me to run for Director of Finance at the end of my 1L year.

During the summer, BLSA Canada’s Summer Firm Hop caught the President and Vice President at the wrong time, so I offered to volunteer in their place. After the event, I got a text from someone I had connected with that there might be an open position with my name on it. I applied and soon became part of BLSA Canada as the National Treasurer.

At BLSA Queen’s, I worked with the executive team to create a budget that balances mentorship opportunities with fundraising events infused with Black culture. One of the biggest challenges I faced this year was ensuring that our chapter could financially support every student member who wanted to attend the BLSA National Conference in Calgary. I leveraged my experience with BLSA Canada to access their Chapter Fund, creating a new funding source for future Queen’s BLSA executives.

At BLSA Canada, my work involves managing a seven-figure annual budget dedicated to events, scholarships, and operational costs. I create budgets for numerous experiential learning events such as the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot, the Civil Law Negotiation in Sherbrooke, and the BLSA National Conference, which draws over 600 students and 30-plus employers from across Canada. Additionally, I collaborate with our Chair, National President and Sponsorship Director to forecast revenue and renegotiate agreements with firm partners. I’m particularly proud of building a new financial ecosystem that not only meets our non-profit’s tax obligations but also supports sustainable growth, creates more networking opportunities, increases exposure to a white-collar environment, and fosters a sense of belonging for first-generation law students like me who face unique challenges as future lawyers. We’re now on track to provide a record-high amount of funding for BLSA chapters nationwide.

How have your experiences in student government, entrepreneurship, and finance shaped your perspective on law?

Serving as National Treasurer for BLSA Canada and Director of Finance for BLSA Queen’s has put me in charge of how a lot of money is spent and earned, and it’s given me a lot of discretion in the decisions I make. Having to make financial decisions that work for both our sponsors and the students who benefit from a non-profit means there have to be clear structures in place that people actually follow. That’s given me a whole new appreciation for the regulations that govern Canadian businesses and the systems that make sure people stick to them.

From an entrepreneurial perspective, running my own business taught me the importance of figuring out what your counterpart wants when you’re advocating for something – whether it’s for yourself or a client. A lot of the time, both sides have justifiable reasons for what they want in a dispute or transaction, and the best solution is finding that thing you really want that they don’t care about or didn’t even consider.

When and how did you develop an interest in law?

My interest in law came slowly and steadily. I wasn’t the kid who argued with their parents and was told they’d make a great litigator. Before law, I wanted to be a pilot, stunt driver, actor, and DJ – in that order!

What opened my eyes to law was an Intro to Canadian Law class in high school, which I took to delay Grade 11 Physics. A field trip to the Ontario Superior Court captivated me, leading me to take an international law course where I played the role of Condoleezza Rice in a mock trial about U.S. war crimes in Iraq.

In undergrad, I spent a semester at the Bader International Study Centre in a specialized International Law and Politics program. One memory that stands out was my professor analyzing a scene from Saving Private Ryan, pointing out violations of the Laws of Armed Conflict taking place in the D-day scene. I really appreciated the ability to learn a rule and apply it to a real situation to solve a problem – and I never looked back.

What attracted you to Queen’s Law, and why did you choose to study here?

What attracted me to Queen’s Law is a lot of the same things that made my time as a Queen’s undergrad some of the fondest years of my life. I love the extra sense of community that comes from going to a school where everyone lives within a few kilometres of each other. It makes it easier to plan events where people actually show up. I also appreciate Queen’s strong academics, great profs, and solid clinic opportunities. But what really makes it stand out is the collaborative culture – people share their outlines, study together, and don’t rip pages out of library textbooks.

You say that you live by the words of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress: "You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." How do you apply this philosophy?

I apply this motto by striving to be a doer. Complaining about a problem and hoping someone will fix it is the same as accepting it. If everyone did this, nothing would change.

During my time as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator for the Queen’s Political Studies Department Student Council, I learned that minority students felt excluded. Instead of just acknowledging the issue, my partner and I worked to include a commitment to anti-racism on every syllabus in the department.

When I wasn’t successful in getting into law school the first time around, I didn’t sit around in despair. I focused on my passion for cars and built a business, gaining skills that would later benefit me in law school.

More recently, after seeing firsthand the financial challenges BLSA Queen’s and other chapters faced to subsidize student travel to the BLSA National Conference, I revamped BLSA Canada’s Chapter Fund Formula. This change involves more funding opportunities for chapters with demonstrated financial need now and in the future.

Looking Ahead

Julian Shivprasad’s journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of taking action. Whether through his roles in BLSA, his financial acumen, or his commitment to inclusion, he continues to make lasting change. As he moves forward in his legal career, there is no doubt that he will bring this same determination and vision to the profession.