Yetunde Amodu
Associate, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
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Yetunde Amodu is an associate in the Real Estate and Financial Services Group in Gowling WLG’s Toronto office. Her practice focuses on advising development finance banks, multinational financial institutions and corporate entities on project, corporate and real estate financings.
Yetunde was born and raised in Nigeria. She obtained her law degree from Cardiff University, Wales and an LLM from New York University School of Law. She has a flair for mentorship and development, both within and outside the legal profession. She is the current secretary of the Black Female Lawyers’ Network (BFLN) and was the past Chair of the Membership Committee of the BFLN. She is also willing to mentor internationally trained lawyers in successfully navigating through the requalification process in Canada.
Areas of Practice: Corporate Law, Lending, Project Finance, Insolvency
Type of Practice: Law Firm
Qualifying Degree from: England
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? By writing the 5 exams allocated to me by the NCA
Year of Call: 2023
Come chat with me about: Job search, Lending/Corporate Law, Work-Life Balance, Law firm practice
Priscila Jales Atkinson
Counsel, Ministry of the Solicitor General and Co-Founder of Brazil Canada Bar Association (BCBA) and ITLNCA NetworkS
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Priscila Jales Atkinson is Crown Counsel at the Ministry of the Solicitor General (SolGen), where she provides support on class actions involving corrections and prosecutes appeals under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. Before joining SolGen, Priscila was an Assistant Crown Attorney at the Central Toronto Crown Attorney’s Office and Crown Counsel at the Constitutional Law Branch, where she was also a summer and articling student. In Brazil, Priscila was a Judicial Law Clerk at the Federal Court of Appeal and Electoral Court of Appeal of Pernambuco and worked in the Homicide Division at the Duty Counsel Office of Pernambuco.
Beyond her legal practice, Priscila is committed to supporting Internationally Trained Lawyers through her volunteer work. She co-founded two non-profit organizations aimed at helping ITLs navigate their legal careers in Canada – The Brazilian Canadian Bar Association (BCBA) and the ITLNCA NetworkS. She has also served as Director of the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association and during her LL.M., she was Vice-President of the Osgoode Latin American Students.
Priscila holds a Master of Laws in Canadian Common Law from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Laws from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil, where she graduated with the Gold Medal for academic excellence.
Areas of Practice: Class Actions and Appeals
Type of Practice: Public Sector
Qualifying Degree from: Brazil
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? LLM
Year of Call: 2022
Come chat with me about: NCA journey, LLM study tips, Summer and articling placements, Government job search, Extracurriculars and volunteering.
Nadia Halum Arauz
Lawyer, Simes Law
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Nadia is a dedicated and diligent labour and employment lawyer who understands that work can be, and often is, one of the most fundamental aspects of a person’s life. Having joined the workforce at an early age, Nadia became attuned to the tensions that can arise in a workplace and made it her goal to dedicate herself to workplace law.
She has been practicing labour and employment law since she was called to the Ontario Bar in 2016. She advises and acts for both employers and employees on issues ranging from termination and severance matters, wrongful and constructive dismissals, drafting and reviewing contracts and policies, human rights matters, and workplace harassment complaints. Nadia has appeared on numerous occasions before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and its Divisional Court, the Ontario Small Claims Court, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Nadia received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, where she graduated in the top 10% of her class. During law school, Nadia completed a practice placement at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, a government-funded institution that provides legal advice and assistance to individuals who have experienced discrimination in Ontario, both within and outside the workplace setting.
Nadia speaks fluent Spanish and is actively involved in the Hispanic community. Most recently, Nadia served on the Board and Executive Committee of the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association from 2017 to 2022.
Nadia have appeared on numerous occasions before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and its Divisional Court, the Ontario Small Claims Court, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Areas of Practice: Labour and Employment Law
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements?
Year of Call: 2016
Come chat with me about: Labour, employment and human rights law, job search and networking tips, experience in small/boutique firms
Christian Baes
Associate Counsel – Marketing & IP.
Restaurant Brands International
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Christian Baes is currently Associate Counsel – Marketing & IP at Restaurant Brands International in Toronto. Christian’s career has been spent entirely in-house, supporting globally recognized brands in the consumer packaged goods industry and more recently, the quick service restaurant space. His work has focused on helping brands harness the power of marketing and advertising, while staying competitive and meeting legal compliance. In his spare time, Christian prides himself on being a self-proclaimed and completely humble triple threat in the local community theatre scene, and enjoys spending time with his husband, Neil, and their pup, Taco.
Areas of Practice: Commercial/Transactions, Marketing, Food Regulatory, Privacy, Competition Act, Trademarks, Licensing, Marketing to Kids
Type of Practice: In-House Marketing & IP
Qualifying Degree from: Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Lansing, Michigan)
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? NCA Exams
Year of Call: 2019
Come chat with me about: A non-traditional and non-linear career path. Working in-house. Working with external counsel. Mentorship.
Pieter Bakker
Associate, Emond Harnden LLP
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Pieter joined Emond Harnden as an Associate in 2021 after completing his articles with the firm. Pieter practices in all areas of labour and employment law and works with federally and provincially regulated clients in both the public and private sector on a variety of matters, including labour arbitration, employment standards compliance, civil litigation, collective bargaining, human rights, contracts and privacy. Pieter obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of Toronto in 2020. Prior to that, Pieter graduated with an LL.B and dual LL.M in Corporate and Civil Law from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. He practiced exclusively in the area of labour and employment law for 5 years at a recognized Dutch full-service firm.
Areas of Practice: Labour and Employment
Type of Practice: Private Practice/Firm
Qualifying Degree from: Netherlands
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? LLM
Year of Call: 2021
Come chat with me about: Labour & Employment Law, NCA Journey, Working at a Large Boutique, Work-Life Balance, Finding a good “fit”
Isa J. Dookie (attending reception)
Associate, Glaholt Bowles LLP
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Isa assists clients in resolving construction and engineering disputes through litigation or alternative dispute resolution. He also assists clients in drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction, design, and engineering services contracts.
Before law, Isa was a practising engineer and academic researcher in electrical and computer engineering. Isa worked on electrical transmission EPC projects and various construction projects in the Caribbean. After his call to the Bar of England and Wales, Isa practised at a prestigious civil litigation boutique in Trinidad and Tobago assisting in first-instance and appellate matters up to the UK Privy Council. In Canada, before joining Glaholt Bowles LLP, Isa worked in-house in a Canadian engineering services multinational enterprise where he drafted and negotiated various types of engineering, construction and software contracts.
Areas of Practice: Litigation and ADR in Construction and Engineering Disputes
Type of Practice: Private Practice/Firm
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom, Trinidad & Tobago
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Challenged 5 NCA exams independently
Year of Call: 2024
Come chat with me about: NCA and qualifying journey, job search, construction law, in-house vs. Private practice, anything else.
Rafael Fabregas
Senior Manager, Fragomen
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Rafael is a Senior Manager at Fragomen’s Toronto office, where he advises clients on temporary residence matters (i.e., visitor, business visitor, study, and work-related entries).
Prior to joining Fragomen, Rafael developed and managed immigration programs for clients in various industries, including engineering and construction, mining, financial services, aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical and consumer health and information technology, for small to medium enterprises and large multinational public and private companies. Rafael has represented clients in temporary and permanent resident applications, as well as in Canadian citizenship applications. While in law school, Rafael worked as a Student Case Worker at Parkdale Community Legal Services’ immigration division.
Rafael speaks English and Tagalog.
Areas of Practice: Immigration Law
Type of Practice: Private Practice/Firm
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? N/A
Year of Call: 2006
Kim Gale
Principal and Lawyer, Gale Law Professional Corporation and Founder of NCA Network
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Kim Gale is the founder and Principal Lawyer at Gale Law. A trained mediator with an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School, Kim is committed to resolving conflicts through effective communication and negotiation.
In 2013, Kim began her law studies at City, University of London, earning a Bachelor of Laws degree while also gaining hands-on experience as a paralegal at Norton Rose Fulbright. After completing the NCA exams and articling, in 2018, Kim was called to the Ontario Bar. Soon after, Kim launched her blog, Law For Millennials, and founded NCA Network, a non-profit organization committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Building on the success of these initiatives, Kim went on to establish Gale Law in 2019 and Gale Mediation in 2023.
Kim’s exceptional litigation skills earned her a 2024 nomination for Litigator of the Year at the Canadian Law Awards. She was also recognized in the 25th edition of Best Lawyers for her excellence in Trusts and Estates. Additionally, Gale Law was named among the Best Law Firms for 2025 by Best Lawyers, a testament to the collective achievements of Kim and her team.
In addition to her legal practice, Kim serves as Vice Chair of the OBA’s Elder Law Section, where she advocates for the well-being of seniors and other vulnerable groups. In addition to her advocacy, Kim is a respected educator, serving as a recurring instructor for Emond Publishing’s Bar preparation course in estates, where she shares her insights and experiences with aspiring legal professionals.
Areas of Practice: Wills & Estates, Estate Litigation
Type of Practice: Private Practice, Mediation
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Completed NCA Exams
Year of Call: 2018
Come chat with me about: NCA journey, practice area, work/life balance, personal branding as a lawyer
Kristine Geronimo
Director, Legal Counsel
Hudson’s Bay
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I have been a lawyer for nearly 10 years and the journey to my current position has not been easy or linear. In law school, all I could think about was how much I wanted to be a lawyer, but 4 years into my career, I thought about quitting it all and went back to school for my MBA. The 2 year break was needed and coming back to the profession in-house really re-invigorated my love for this career.
Areas of Practice: General Counsel
Type of Practice: In-House
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? NCA Exams
Year of Call: 2014
Come chat with me about: Job search, practice area, NCA journey, going in-house, work life balance
Yonida Koukio
Associate, Oziel Law
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Yonida is a corporate and intellectual property lawyer who works closely with innovative start-ups at all stages of their business from their inception up to an M&A or go-public transaction. Yonida regularly represents clients in corporate transactions, including reorganizations, acquisitions, and capital raising.
As a tech and innovation enthusiast, Yonida also leads the firm’s innovation projects, including automation, software testing and implementation, development of tech-enabled solutions, and structuring legal services-as-a-product. Previously, Yonida worked at two full-service national law firms in roles relating to legal, knowledge management, innovation, marketing, and business development. She led projects pertaining to machine-learning contract analysis, automation of due diligence review of corporate, private equity, and financing agreements, and market recognition. She gained experience in marketing strategy, the business of law, and streamlining the practice of law. She also co-founded an award-winning B2B SaaS startup that simplifies the outsourcing of legal tasks between lawyers.
She holds two LL.M degrees, the most recent one from Osgoode Hall Law School, focusing on business and intellectual property. While at Osgoode, Yonida acted as an IPilogue editor, blogging about legal issues regarding Big Data, AI, and technology law.
Prior to her legal career in Ontario, Yonida practiced law in Athens, Greece. In her leisure time, Yonida enjoys cycling, photography, and vlogging, as well as travelling, having visited over 30 countries on four continents.
Areas of Practice: Corporate, M&A, and Technology
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Greece
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? A combination of NCA exams and OsgoodePD courses via my General Law LLM
Year of Call: 2020
Come chat with me about: Networking, job search, corporate/technology law, work-life balance, national firm versus boutique law firm experience)
Palak Mahajan
Associate, Gale Law Professional Corporation
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Palak is a dual-licensed lawyer, admitted to practice in both India and Ontario. With over 5 years of experience in litigation in India and 2 years of experience in Estate Litigation in Ontario, Palak brings a diverse skill set to her legal practice.
Palak obtained her LL.B from Symbiosis International University and LL.M from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in Ontario in October 2023.
Palak has achieved successful outcomes in cases before the Superior Court of Justice (notably in Anroop et al. v. Naqvi et al., 2025 ONSC 160 (CanLII)l), and the Ontario Court of Appeal (as demonstrated in Doherty v. Doherty, 2023 ONCA 763 (CanLII)), earning a strong reputation for her advocacy and expertise.
In addition to her legal practice, Palak is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Palak currently serves as the Outreach and Events Manager for NCA Network, an initiative dedicated to supporting the integration of internationally trained lawyers into the Canadian legal landscape. Palak is also an active contributor to legal discourse, having written insightful blogs for Law360 Canada, where she covers topics related to litigation, dispute resolution, and estate law.
Areas of Practice: Wills & Estates
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: India
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Challenge exams and Masters in Canadian Common Law from Osgoode Professional Development.
Year of Call: 2023
Come chat with me about: Networking, Job search, NCA exam preparation, Bar exam preparation, exemption from articling
Noorin Manji
Partner, Torkin Manes
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Noorin is a Partner in the Torkin Manes Commercial Real Estate Group. Noorin is routinely involved in transactional work relating to the acquisition, disposition and financing of all types of real property. Noorin drafts and negotiates a wide range of real property contracts, including agreements of purchase and sale and commercial leases.
Areas of Practice: Commercial Real Estate
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: England
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? I completed my LL.M in Canadian Common Law through Osgoode Hall Professional Development.
Year of Call: 2017
Come chat with me about: Job search, practice area and NCA Completion through LLM.
Vishank Menon
Product and Regulatory Counsel, KOHO
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I am a financial services lawyer with around 9 years of experience working for banks and fintechs. I started my professional journey in India, working for law firms and banks for about 4 years. Then moved to Canada, where I’ve worked for a number of banks and fintech as their product and regulatory counsel.
Areas of Practice: Banking and Financial Services
Type of Practice: In-House
Qualifying Degree from: India
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? GPLLM Program at University of Toronto
Year of Call: 2021
Come chat with me about: Happy to chat about anything mentees would find helpful.
Crystal Park
Associate Lawyer, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
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Hyunju (Crystal) Park is an associate in Gowling WLG’s Toronto office, practising in the firm’s Business Law Department. Her practice encompasses assisting businesses in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, structuring, and general corporate/commercial matters, with a focus on commercial technology transactions. Previously, Crystal was a category manager and legal consultant for IT, security and surveillance procurement for one of the leading global corporations in the gaming and hospitality industry. Crystal holds a Global Professional LLM from the University of Toronto, LLM in International Business Law (Thesis Track) from the University of Macau and an LLB from Yonsei University (South Korea).
Areas of Practice: Corporate, M&A, and Technology
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: South Korea
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? I attended the University of Toronto, Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) program, which allowed me to satisfy 6 out of 7 of my subjects, and completed one NCA challenge exam (Professional Responsibility). The GPLLM program generally allows an NCA candidate to complete all their NCA requirements, but I encountered visa issues at the start of the academic year and was not able to take the intensive Professional Responsibility course offered at the time.
Year of Call: 2023
Come chat with me about: OCIs/formal recruit, Area of Practice – Corporate, M&A, Technology, Litigation, Biglaw – Private Practice, Volunteer Work within the Community, including with the OBA and equity-seeking groups such as ITLNCA, FACL, and IAKL and mentorship in the legal profession.
Rachel Sachs
Lawyer & Seniors Advocate, Sachs Law
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I am a Filipino-German Canadian lawyer and trained mediator based in Toronto, Canada. My family and cultural heritage are important threads intentionally woven into my career and personal development. I work with older adults because of the deep connections I’ve been privileged to have throughout my life with my own grandparents, and others.
I practice law with the clear intention of assisting retirees, older adults and aging individuals. If you’re experiencing legal issues related to aging, whether short or long term challenges, I am here to help. From the broad scope of “elder”/”seniors” law and estates and trusts, to real estate and litigation, my goal is to support older adults and help ensure they have a say in their own lives.
I host “Ask Me Anything” calls on different legal issues affecting older adults, sometimes with special guests. I love technology (when it works) and strategizing unique solutions that will help older adults meet their goals. I love collaborating and brainstorming possibilities with others who work in aging, so reach out and we’ll talk.
I’m President and a board member of the Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network, board member of a local daycare, a Women’s Law Association of Ontario mentor, and a volunteer with the Canadian Free Wills Network, helping to provide free, simple wills to low-income and older Canadians. Twice a week, I assist low-income callers on the Pro Bono Ontario hotlines.
There are always improvements – tweaks – that can be made to how we practice and how we engage. I’m here, building and incrementally tweaking my practice so I can be a better service provider.
Areas of Practice: Will & Estates, Elder Law, Civil Litigation
Type of Practice: Private Practice, Solo Practice
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? NCA Exams
Year of Call: 2017
Come chat with me about: Elder law beyond wills and estates, gaps in your resume or law practice journey, managing/running a law practice, parenting and practice, caregiving for adults and practice, embracing your authentic self, mental health, low-income advocacy and volunteer work, the law practice program and more
Kiran Sanghera
Associate Lawyer, Gale Law
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Kiran is an internationally trained lawyer, having earned her LL.B. from the University of Leicester in England, and LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School in Ontario, Canada.
Kiran was called to the Ontario Bar in 2022, and before joining Gale Law, she gained valuable experience at a leading firm specializing in trust and capacity litigation.
Outside of her legal practice, Kiran is an active member of several professional organizations. As a mentor with the NCA Network, she guides NCA candidates and newly accredited lawyers, helping them navigate Canada’s legal landscape.
Kiran is also an active member of the Ontario Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, and the Toronto Lawyers Association. In addition, Kiran regularly contributes to Law360 Canada, sharing her expertise on a variety of estate litigation topics, including will challenges, estate trustee matters, and guardianship disputes.
Areas of Practice: Will & Estates, Estate Litigation
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? OsgoodePD Canadian Common Law LLM
Year of Call: 2022
Come chat with me about: Job search, NCA Journey, practice area, work/life balance
Jocelyn Tatebe
Senior Associate, Mills & Mills LLP
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Jocelyn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and International Relations from the University of British Columbia. She then attended McGill university where she completed a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
Jocelyn is a civil litigator whose practice is now focused on estate litigation. Prior to her current role, Jocelyn worked for 10 years as a civil litigator in the insurance defence industry where she developed a particular interest in coverage issues. Jocelyn also has experience working as an in-house counsel for an insurance company. Jocelyn has appeared before the Superior Court, various tribunals including the License Appeal Tribunal and the Divisional Court.
Jocelyn is an active member of the legal community in Ontario. She is the immediate Past President of the Women’s Law Association of Ontario, a current Vice-Chair of the Roundtable of Legal Diversity Associations, an active mentor, and a regular speaker and moderator at continuing professional development seminars.
Areas of Practice: Estates Litigation (prior background in insurance defence litigation and in-house counsel role)
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? N/A
Year of Call: 2009
Come chat with me about: Work Life Distribution, Practice Area, In-House
Lisa Truong
Legal Director, Corporate Counsel, Celestica
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Lisa is Legal Director, Corporate Counsel at Celestica, where she supports the M&A, Securities, and Ventures teams, as well as various business units. Her journey began as a law clerk at prominent Bay Street firms and in-house roles. While in private practice, she advised on a wide range of deals—corporate financings, mergers, reverse takeovers (RTOs), initial public offerings (IPOs), and capital pool companies (CPCs)—across diverse industries such as mining, business, science, and technology. Lisa is experienced in corporate governance, public disclosure, and securities law, and is particularly interested in issues related to the counterfeit fashion industry.
Lisa holds a J.D. from Bond University in Australia, an Honours B.A., a Law Clerk Certificate from Seneca College, and has studied internationally in Paris. Lisa is a member of the Ontario Bar and the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Areas of Practice: Securities, Corporate/Commercial, M&A
Type of Practice: In-House Counsel
Qualifying Degree from: Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? The NCA previously accepted Bond’s Canadian core subjects (Canadian Administrative Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Criminal Law and Foundations of Canadian Law) as equivalent to Canadian law school courses. Students graduating from Bond’s Canadian Law Program prior to 2016 were exempt from sitting the NCAs for these subjects when returning to Canada.
Year of Call: 2015
Come chat with me about: Job search/resumes/cover letters, recruiters, practice areas, work culture, transition to in-house, life-work balance, and anything else in between.
Antonio Urdaneta
Workplace Lawyer and Investigator,
Workplace Legal
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Antonio F. Urdaneta is the thought leader behind Workplace Legal. A marathon runner who improves the work climate and empowers business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, supervisors and human resources professionals to reduce the inherent threats of workplace relations by providing innovative training, advisory, investigations, and litigation services. Antonio uses coaching tools and skills to inform, advice and represent workplaces in their virtual and physical challenges, including business transformation and managing toxic leadership. His work includes employment standards, human rights, health and safety, pay equity, harassment, discrimination, violence, hazards, privacy, BYOD, agreements, contracts and policies, employment related ADRs (mediation, arbitration), and litigation (wrongful/constructive dismissals). He has successfully represented and assisted clients at the Superior Court of Justice and administrative tribunals in Ontario. He conducts workplace investigations about allegations of violence, harassment, discrimination, accidents/incidents, theft and failure to comply with company policies, by-laws and collective agreements.
Areas of Practice: Employment, Workplace Human Rights, Health and Safety
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Venezuela