Jonathan Vandall

Jonathan Vandall enrolled in Osgoode’s Professional LLM in Administrative Law when he was already deep in the world of regulation and public policy. Overseeing investigators and prosecutors as part of his work in compliance and enforcement, he often found himself engaging with legal teams on complex decisions. “I had an interest in learning more of the academic side of administrative law,” he explains. “There are lots of short courses in regulation and governance, but they only skim the surface. I wanted to understand the constructs behind it, why the system operates the way it does.”

Today, as Senior Vice President, Financial Professionals at the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), Jon draws on more than 15 years of experience leading policy reform, rule-making initiatives, and oversight frameworks across the province’s financial services sector. He also serves as Chair of the Real Estate Regulators of Canada and Vice-Chair of the Mortgage Broker Regulators’ Council of Canada, roles that keep him closely connected to the national regulatory community.

The LLM, he says, helped bridge practice and theory. “I couldn’t imagine being as functional in that area without having some sort of background,” he says. “It really helped my comfort and my ability to engage on matters.”

The program also reshaped how he approached collaboration and decision-making. “Before the LLM, I was a more passive participant, taking advice and direction,” says Jon. “Afterward, I could engage on the issues, ask probing questions, and push back where appropriate. The conversations are better, and the work product is stronger.”

Among the courses that stood out were The “New” Administrative Law with Professor Paul Daly, Public Inquiries with Ronda Bessner, and Administrative Law: Overview and Current Developments, Aaron Dantowitz and Justin Safayeni. “Paul Daly’s course really set the foundation,” Jon says. “Ronda Bessner’s class was fascinating because she drew on her experience as a commissioner on the Mass Casualty Commission – it was so engaging that I ended up writing my major paper on it.”

Beyond the coursework, the program’s structure encouraged connection and collaboration. “You develop rapport and learn from each other’s experience,” he says. “It made classes feel very collaborative.”

Looking back, Jon believes timing was key. “I got a ton out of it, and I don’t think I would have gotten the same value early in my career,” he says. “With years of experience to draw from, it was super valuable and enriching.”

For mid- and senior-level professionals considering the program, his advice is clear: “Be ready for the workload outside of class, and make sure your employer is supportive. It’s a big commitment, but it’s worth it. You’ll bring back real value to your organization.”

He sees OsgoodePD’s specialized programs as part of a larger shift in professional education. “There was a time when everyone was getting generalist degrees,” says Jon. “Now, it’s about programs that add functional value ones that make you better at what you actually do. The Administrative Law LLM did that for me.”