Delaram M. Jafari

When Delaram M. Jafari moved to Canada, she arrived with an extensive legal background already in hand. She had completed an LLM at an Iranian university, followed by a PhD from the National University of Singapore. But to practise law in Canada, she needed to complete the accreditation process. Completing Osgoode’s Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law became a key step in that journey.

“As part of the process, I needed to do the LLM,” she explains. That requirement ultimately became an opportunity to enter the Canadian legal profession with confidence and community.

Jafari completed the program full-time while working as a licensed paralegal, an experience she describes as foundational. Before becoming a lawyer, she worked as a paralegal for two years, which helped her begin building a professional network and expand her area of practice. Starting her legal career as a sole practitioner required persistence, but over time, she steadily built momentum and established herself in the field.

Several courses from the LLM remain especially influential in her work today. She recalls Contract Law with David Mangan, as well as Professional Responsibility with Professor Faisal Bhabha, both of which continue to inform her daily decision-making.

“We discussed matters that come up so often in my actual practice,” she says. Issues around conflicts of interest, in particular, became clearer through class discussions. “These were scenarios we discussed in theory, but now I see them in practice all the time.”

As a lawyer focused on appeals of Landlord and Tenant Board decisions, Jafari encounters these complexities daily. She works closely with small landlords and tenants who often struggle to navigate the system. “It feels good to be able to help people who have difficulties presenting their case to the court,” she says.

“There are not many lawyers who focus on this area, and there is an access problem. It makes a difference when you can help someone who really needs it.”

Networking was another important component of the program. Jafari remains in touch with several of her classmates, who have become part of her ongoing support system. “We support each other,” she says. She also found value in being part of a cohort rather than completing her NCA requirements solely through challenge exams.

“What I learned through the class is really different – much better, much more expansive. And it gave me the benefit of seeing people and learning from them.”

For internationally trained lawyers considering their next steps, Jafari sees the Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law as both practical and transformative. “It is a very good opportunity to, within a short time frame, get to know Canadian law and get up to speed,” she says. “It’s a great way to start.”