Ankita Puri

For Ankita Puri, pursuing an LLM in International Business Law at Osgoode Professional Development was both a strategic and deeply personal choice. At the time, she was practicing M&A and insolvency law in India, but wanted to expand her understanding of global commercial law.

“I wanted something to supplement my existing knowledge,” she explains. “I was looking for a program that would challenge me and give me a more international perspective.” Drawn to Canada’s common law system, and its connections to her own legal training, Puri found that OsgoodePD’s International Business Law LLM offered exactly what she was looking for: a curriculum that combined global relevance with practical depth.

Among the courses that stood out most were Cross-Border Taxation with Professor Jinyan Li, International Commercial Arbitration with Janet Walker, and Business Transactions with Germán Morales Farah. “Professor Li made tax make sense,” Puri recalls. “Her classes were engaging and interactive, even for someone who used to run away from numbers.”

Equally impactful were the connections she formed with classmates. “We’ve stayed in touch to this day,” she says. “Some are working at banks, others on Bay Street, and some are in-house like me. As immigrants and professionals finding our way, we shared experiences and learned from each other. Those friendships were formative.”

After completing the program, Puri spent time in private practice, working on mental health litigation through Legal Aid during the pandemic. “It was a unique experience,” she says. “It showed me a different side of law, helping people directly during a challenging time.” Eventually, she found her way back in-house, where she now serves as Associate Legal Counsel at PSI CRO AG, PSI CRO AG, a global contract research organization that supports clinical research and development across Canada.

Her current work draws on lessons from her Osgoode experience daily. “The LLM broadened my understanding of how business law operates across jurisdictions,” she says. “It also gave me a network and the confidence to engage with colleagues globally.” She still carries the advice of OsgoodePD career advisor Michael Tam, who encouraged students to network “meaningfully and often.” That mindset led her to write about her NCA experience for the Canadian Bar Association and to get involved with organizations supporting internationally trained lawyers.

Outside of work, Puri serves on the Board of Directors for A-Way Express Courier, a Toronto-based social enterprise that provides employment opportunities for individuals living with mental health challenges. “It’s a wonderful organization with wonderful people who are just trying to make a difference,” she says.

Her advice for prospective students is thoughtful and practical: “Know exactly why you’re doing the LLM,” she says. “Take your time, think about your goals, and choose courses that align with your interests. Be strategic, consider your lifestyle and commitments, and network with purpose. Do it for the right reasons, because it’s an investment in yourself.”