One of the most rewarding aspects of my professional life today is supporting internationally trained lawyers who are beginning their own requalification journeys. Through my involvement with Osgoode Professional Development and the broader internationally trained lawyer (ITL) community, I regularly speak with lawyers who are considering, or are in the midst of, the process of qualifying to practice in Canada.
Many of the questions I receive are remarkably similar to the ones I once asked myself. How do I build a network when I am new to the country? How do I gain Canadian experience? How do I explain my international legal experience to employers? How do I identify opportunities? How do I know whether I am on the right path? And perhaps most importantly, how do I stay motivated when the process feels uncertain or overwhelming?
The technical answers to many of these questions can be found online. Yet what many aspiring lawyers are truly seeking is not information, but perspective.
As a lawyer originally qualified in Tanzania, my path to practicing law in Ontario was not straightforward. My journey through Osgoode Hall Law School's Master of Canadian Common Law program, the Law Practice Program, and ultimately qualification in Ontario introduced me to an extraordinary community of students, professors, alumni, career advisors, and legal professionals.
As I navigated my own transition into the Canadian legal profession, I also looked beyond traditional mentorship for guidance. Books such as Networking for People Who Hate Networking, The Serendipity Mindset, Working Identity, The Portfolio Life, and The First 90 Days helped shape my thinking about relationships, transitions, and opportunities. Yet books helped me understand what to do, while mentors helped me understand how to do it.