“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi

For over 25 years, Mitch Kitagawa has been navigating the field of insurance defence with Kelly Santini LLP in Ottawa. And although he loves the core elements of his job, he can say with conviction that the people he gets to meet and collaborate with are the best part of being a lawyer.

Since the beginning of his career in law, Mitch has maintained a community-centered attitude, one that allows him to bring his humble upbringing to the forefront of his work and appreciate each case as a learning opportunity, gaining new perspectives through each client’s experience, and applying it to future interactions.

Mitch has appeared in all levels of court, including written submissions in the SCC. In that time he has also established precedent that CGLs were business documents that could reduce the limitation period to one year for claims against insurers. Over years of meeting new people and homing in on his craft, Mitch says that one major thing he learned about litigation is that “you’re not necessarily there to fight for your client in the sense of being aggressive – you can take a more civil and relaxed approach – it actually gets you further.” Mitch’s open-mindedness and inclusive attitude were always present as a defining part of his personality and practice, much of it has been learned and applied over a lifetime of experience.

Humble Beginnings

Growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, Mitch earned a sense of value as he was raised by hardworking parents who lived on modest means. Alongside a sister and two brothers, his family worked together to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. As Mitch says, “my childhood has a huge effect on how I appreciate and see things.”

However, it’s this humbling upbringing that supplies him with a well-rounded perspective, and has given him a healthy respect for people coming from all different corners of society. As said by Mitch, “being raised in such a way with the kind of background I come from is something you’ll never forget. It lets you respect people no matter who they are, what they have to say, or what their position is.”

Alternative Perspectives

By continuing his application of hard work and determination, Mitch reached an impressive level of success early on in his career – one that taught him more about alternative perspectives each day, which Mitch contributes to regularly meeting people from many different walks of life. “Working with diverse and sophisticated individuals gave me a chance to learn so much about what’s going on in the world that I never would have learned in another position.”

His focus on insurance defence and unique personal background also regularly reminds Mitch that everyone has a different perspective of finances, and that the concept of paying, saving, and receiving money lands differently for every client – something that he feels is important to keep in mind at all time. And, as someone that can bring personal experience with monetary struggles to the table, Mitch consistently ensures that there is an element of transparency and respect with every clients.

Of course, his expertise and empathetic approach help with this mindset; as put by Mitch, “When you are more experienced, you have more tools in your toolbelt, and can find a resolution quicker without being aggressive or discourteous.”

Encouraging Diversity

In addition to his respect for alternative perspectives, Mitch is committed to ensuring that everyone feels like equals, regardless of their background. As a racialized person of color, he brings personal experience to the table, and his dedication to diversity is expressed in his efforts to represent a variety of perspectives in his community, with County of Carleton Law Society (CCLA) and by tossing his hat in the ring to serve as a Bencher for the Law Society of Ontario.

The most important thing, Mitch says, is to represent a tapestry of perspectives: “My drive isn’t always with respect to my heritage – it’s about making sure that there are diverse voices at the law society, whether that refers to location, types of law practices, or ethnic and cultural diversity.”

Mitch’s effort to encourage inclusion is another value donated by his background; as a young person of Japanese and Ukrainian heritage, he never sensed that he belonged, and believes that “everyone has the right to feel that they have a place in whatever profession they’re in; they should always feel that they are valued and wanted. That’s what pushes me to do the diversity and inclusion initiatives.”

Coming Together Through Community

As a senior lawyer with plenty of tools for civilized resolution, Mitch reflects on the value of great mentorship and support. He only hopes that his own experience and leadership will offer the same positive influence that he received on junior lawyers as they come to him for guidance.

The ringleader behind the annual ‘Firms Filling Fridges’ food drive for the Ottawa Food Bank, Mitch was recognized by the CCLA when he received the Gordon F. Henderson award for contributions to the welfare of the community.  And, if there’s one common value that Mitch hopes to instill in others, it’s the importance of community. “My view of community is that you need to contribute and participate; I learned this from my parents. If you want society to be as good as you think it should be, it won’t just happen if you leave it for others to do. You have to step up.”