Inimfon Udokang

For Inimfon (Ini) Udokang, earning a Professional LLM in Business Law at Osgoode Professional Development was the realization of a lifelong goal. “Obtaining an LLM has always been a dream,” she says. “I chose the Business Law LLM because I worked in the Corporate law group as a young lawyer in Nigeria, and I have an interest in corporate and business law.”

Before enrolling in the Business Law LLM program, Ini had already built a strong foundation in corporate and commercial law. In Nigeria, she practised with a leading national business law firm in Lagos, advising clients on corporate law, corporate governance, complex transactions, and commercial contracts. Shortly after relocating to Canada, she got the opportunity to support the Corporate team at Dentons Canada, which further increased her interest in corporate law. She then enrolled in the Business Law program part-time to build on her experience in Canadian and international business law.

In exploring her graduate school options, OsgoodePD stood out because of “the excellent reputation of its faculty and its alumni community.” Also, the most important factors for Ini when choosing her graduate program at OsgoodePD were the depth of the courses and the Business Law LLM’s focus. “OsgoodePD’s Business Law LLM covered the key areas I wanted to explore: Advanced Corporate Law, Corporate Transactions, Corporate Governance, the Board of Directors, and Corporate Finance,” she says.

Today as a lawyer, Ini applies her LLM experience every day in her role within the Office of the General Counsel at Dentons Canada. “The program has provided me with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Canadian business law,” she explains. “It has significantly shaped my approach to navigating conflicts of interest, risk, and compliance issues in a complex global environment.”

Her role involves advising on conflicts, client engagement agreements, outside counsel guidelines, and RFPs, all in a fast-paced setting that demands both legal precision and business acumen. “The knowledge gained from the LLM continues to add value to my decision-making,” she says. “It has equipped me to review corporate matters from both a legal and commercial perspective, while thinking critically across jurisdictions and anticipating regulatory implications.”

Several courses left a lasting impression – particularly In-House Counsel: Law and Practice with Germán Morales Farah, Corporate Governance with Professor Poonam Puri, and Anti-Money Laundering & International Sanctions. “The course content and practical assignments were excellent,” she notes. “They directly connected with my interests in corporate governance and compliance.”

For anyone thinking about enrolling, her message is simple: “Do it! Continuous learning is key to both professional and personal development. Be strategic with your course selection, use the school’s career office, and attend networking events. The exposure and connections you gain make it all worthwhile.”