Our Team
Ontario Association of Black Paralegals
Welcome to the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals Meet the Team Page. Our diverse team of dedicated professionals is committed to advancing the interests of Black paralegals across Ontario. With a common shared passion for justice, we strive to empower our members and combat systemic racism within the justice system. Get to know the faces behind our mission.
Board of Directors

Chair
Liz Smith
Liz has always had a passion for social justice, which led her to pursue a paralegal education. After working as a legal assistant and exploring other professions, she found her true passion and graduated with honors in paralegal studies in 2021. Liz now works in the criminal defence industry, where she advocates for fair and accessible legal education. In addition to her legal career, Liz is a fitness instructor and personal trainer, dedicated to help others achieve their health and wellness goals.

Board Member
Shenell Monteith
Shennell Monteith is a self-proclaimed ambivert. Her career has been a mixture of legal advocacy and sales. Both involve being bold in the face of fear and believing what you stand for. She is excited to be a part of OABP and is ready to engage in the work that supports legal practitioners who often feel like “others”. Shennell often has the travel bug and is always planning her next excursion.

Board Member
Danielle Monsegue
Danielle Monsegue is a Law Clerk and Licensed Paralegal, having gained expertise in providing legal support in both traditional law firms and in-house organizations. Her experience includes Corporate, IP, Franchise, and International Law. Danielle’s ability to leverage her legal technology skills to complement her commitment to continuing legal education equips her with an invaluable toolkit of transferrable skills. Danielle holds a Law Clerk Diploma from Seneca College and a Paralegal Diploma (with Distinction) from Cestar College.

Board Member
Alicia Clarke
Alicia Clarke is a licensed Paralegal for the firm Rusonik, O’Connor, Robbins, Ross & Angelini, LLP and has worked in Criminal Defence for over a decade. As a Board Member for the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) Education Committee and Committee Member of the OABP Law Clerk Program, Alicia is looking forward to engaging with other Black paralegals and legal professionals who want to further build representation in the legal community and learn how to combat systemic discrimination in the justice system.

Board Member
Benaiah Eche
Benaiah Eche is a Licensed Paralegal currently working as a litigation assistant with a reputable law firm in Toronto. He obtained his paralegal license in May 2023, and prior to that, he graduated from the paralegal program at Centennial College in December 2022 with an Honors designation. Benaiah is very passionate about the work OABP does, and he is very active in his community. He is a board member with the OABP and also a member of the Membership Engagement Committee

Board Member
Royland Moriah
​Royland Moriah is a partner at Rusonik O’Connor Robbins Ross & Angelini LLP where he represents clients charged with criminal offences. He started his legal career as a policy lawyer at the African Canadian Legal Clinic before transitioning to criminal law, which he has practiced almost exclusively for the past seventeen years. In addition to his work with the OABP, he is a guest lecturer for the University of Toronto Faculty of Law trial advocacy course, an active member of the Criminal Lawyer’s Association, a member of the Salvation Army Community Advisory Committee, and is on the Toronto Area Committee of the Ontario Justice Education Network.






