Sara Bond
Lawyer/ Will and Estate Consultant, RBC Wealth Management Family Office Services
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Sara is an Ontario lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. With over 10 years of experience, Sara specializes in the areas of Wills, Estates and Trusts law employed in-house at RBC Wealth Management, Family Office Services as a Will and Estate Consultant consulting high net worth clientele on complex estate planning matters. Sara completed her Joint Honours undergraduate degree in Political Science and Criminology from York University, and then when on to complete her LL.B. at the University of Sussex in the UK. Sara has also completed a Masters in Tax Law at Osgoode Hall Law School and has completed a TEP Diploma with the international Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners. Sara is also a Professional Goal-Centric Certified Coach candidate at Concordia University, where she’s obtaining highly specialized training to support the mentoring work she’s passionate about and devoted to in her spare time. In 2020, Sara founded Global Esquire Canada, a mission focused social enterprise, in addition to her full-time work at RBC, established to empower internationally trained law students and aspiring lawyers. Through it’s primary focus, a not-for-profit mentorship and scholarship program: The Global Esquire Canada Mentorship Program designed for BIPOC youth, provides mentoring and coaching to internationally trained Canadian law students for their legal careers and transition back in Canada. With access to scholarships, paid internships and Canadian legal professionals, students receive an unprecedented amount of support while they study law abroad and begin to build a network and community. The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers is a partner of the program, along with many other partner organizations including SI-UK North America, Pearson, and Asuji Smith Lawyers Group.
Areas of Practice: Wills and Estates
Type of Practice: In-House
Qualifying Degree from:
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Exams
Year of Call: 2015
Come chat with me about: Job search, networking
Kristine Geronimo
Senior Legal Counsel, Blackhawk Network
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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
Paul Jones
Founding Partner, Jones & Co.
I founded a firm that focused on international market entry, and particularly in the PRC and other parts of East and South East Asia. We do intellectual property prosecution and litigation, technology licensing, franchising and distribution arrangements , as well as due diligence and outsourcing agreements. We act primarily for clients outside of Canada. We have had many interns from Osgoode, and several have gone on to join the firm and become Ontario qualified lawyers.
Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property, Franchising and Distribution, International
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
Year of Call: 1986
Come chat with me about: Careers in law in Canada generally, intellectual property careers, business law careers.
Palak Mahajan
Associate, Gale Law Professional Corporation
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Palak is a dual licensed lawyer (India & Ontario) with over 5 years of experience in Disputes Resolution and Litigation in India and over 1 year of experience in Estate Litigation in Ontario. She has been registered with the Bar Council of India since 2016 and has completed her L.L.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Palak was called to the Bar in Ontario in October 2023. Palak is also the Outreach and Events Manager with the NCA Network, a diversity and inclusion group.
Areas of Practice: Estate Litigation
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
Jaanam Mahboobani
Associate, Gowling WLG
Jaanam Mahboobani is an associate in the Business Law Group of Gowling WLG’s Toronto office. Her practice focuses on securities and corporate law, with an emphasis on corporate finance, capital markets, and mergers & acquisitions. In addition to being born, raised, and initially trained in Nigeria, Jaanam obtained her law degree from Middlesex University in the UK with first class honours. Upon moving to Canada, she pursued an LLM in International Business Law at Osgoode Hall Law School. During law school, she was involved in various internships and pro bono initiatives. As such, Jaanam’s international experience enables her to provide unique and diverse viewpoints. Prior to articling at Gowling WLG, Jaanam worked on the corporate finance and securities team of a mid-sized law firm, where she assisted clients from sectors such as energy, cannabis, mining, and technology. In her spare time, Jaanam enjoys travelling and learning about different cultures, traditions, and cuisines. She is also an avid soccer fan.
Areas of Practice: Corporate
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? I completed my NCA while pursuing my LLM in International Business Law. As such, I satisfied two requirements via my LLM and the rest via challenge exams.
Year of Call: 2022
Come chat with me about: NCAs, Bar Exams, Job Search, Articling, Corporate Law
Pankhuri Malik
Associate, Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP
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Pankhuri is an associate at Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP. Her practice focuses on pharmaceutical patent litigation and Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. Previously, Pankhuri practiced high stakes and complex IP litigation with a leading firm in India. She has extensive experience with pharmaceutical patent litigation and trademark litigation for Fortune 500 companies. Her work includes oral and written advocacy, litigation strategy and alternative dispute resolution. Prior to joining Fineberg Ramamoorthy, Pankhuri worked as an associate with a prominent downtown Toronto firm where she gained experience in litigating before Canadian courts. Pankhuri completed her Masters of Law at Osgoode Professional Development in 2022 where she was a writer for IPilogue, Osgoode’s IP Law blog. Pankhuri was also a fellow at Osgoode’s IP Innovation Clinic. She is currently a member of the IT and IP Section Executive with the Ontario Bar Association.
Areas of Practice: IP Litigation
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: India
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? NCA exams + One course at Osgoode
Year of Call: 2023
Come chat with me about: Job search, networking, Managing competing priorities, marketing your transferable skills, Preparation of application materials
Noorin Manji
Senior Associate, Torkin Manes
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Noorin is an associate 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.
Paola Melo
Lawyer, Melo Carrassquero LLP
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Paola was born in Colombia and immigrated with her family to Canada when she was nine years old. Paola holds a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University, where she studied Criminology and Social Justice, with a concentration in Law and minor in Sociology. Paola received her LL.B from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Before attending law school, Paola worked as a law clerk and office administrator at a Boutique Immigration Law from 2008 to 2010. After completing law school, she returned to Canada and continued to work at the same boutique firm while preparing her requirements with the National Committee of Accreditation and articling. Paola was called to Bar in 2016. Paola briefly worked at an Engineering firm in the legal department and then went to work at The Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples Legal Clinic before deciding to open Melo Law. After two years of operating her own firm, she decided to co-found Melo Carrasquero LLP. Paola also teaches Family Class Immigration at Queens University Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. Paola is a member of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association, the Canadian and Ontario Bar Association.
Areas of Practice: Immigration
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Exams only
Year of Call: 2016
Come chat with me about: Immigration and pros/cons of running your own practice.
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.
Uche Ojiegbe
Lawyer, Praxis Law LLP
Uche Ojiegbe is a Nigerian- Canadian lawyer in private practice. When I’m not gardening or a singing, I’m practicing health law, child protection law and immigration law in Toronto.
Areas of Practice: Health Law, Child Protection, Immigration
Type of Practice: Private Practive
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? I didn’t have to write NCAs because I went to law school in Nova Scotia. But of course I had to get through writing the bar exams. The best advice I have for getting through the bar exams is to have faith and do a lot of practice questions.
Year of Call: 2018
Come chat with me about: My practice areas (particularly health law and child protection law). Also how to keep a positive outlook in a challenging career.
Wanessa Oliveira
Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel, Boston Scientific
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Wanessa Oliveira (she/her/hers) is a lawyer with dual qualifications, called to the Bar in Ontario and Brazil. Currently serving as the Senior Legal and Compliance Counsel at Boston Scientific, a leading global medical technology company, Wanessa specializes in advising the business on compliance and anti-corruption matters, particularly regarding relationships with healthcare providers and governmental officials in Canada. With a passion for advancing equity and inclusion in the legal profession, Wanessa also holds the position of President of the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA), an association dedicated to advancing the interests of Hispanic and Latino legal professionals in Canada.
Areas of Practice: Medtech, Health, Anti-Corruption
Type of Practice: In-House
Qualifying Degree from: Canada
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Degree Program at University of Toronto (GPLLM) plus 3 NCA exams.
Year of Call: 2022
Come chat with me about: NCA process, NCA exams, Value of degree program at Canadian University, Networking, Articling in-house, Job search (in-house), Medtech, Health, Compliance, Anti-corruption, Mergers and Acquisitions.
Angela Ogang
Lawyer, AngelLAW
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Outside of her practice, Angela volunteers regularly with Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Helpline, offering legal assistance to low-income individuals, in both official languages. Additionally, she holds various positions within the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), including as the Chair of the OBA Young Lawyers Division, the Vice Chair of the OBA Women Lawyers Forum, and a member of the OBA Policy & Public Affairs Committee. Angela is also an officer of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Women Lawyers Forum, a member of the CBA Immigration Law Section’s Anti-Racism Committee, a member of the Association of French Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO)’s Advocacy Workshop committee, and the Director of Communications of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL).
Areas of Practice: Wills & Estates, Immigration, Business Law
Type of Practice: Sole Practitioner
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Self-Study (NCA Exams)
Year of Call: 2018
Come chat with me about: Practice Area, Licensing Process, NCA Exams, Mentorship, Networking, Volunteering, Canadian Bar Association (CBA) / Ontario Bar Association (OBA)
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.
Pooneh Sooresrafil
Construction Lawyer, Cambridge LLP
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Pooneh is a construction lawyer at Cambridge LLP. She is a skilled advocate who provides practical, business-oriented advice and represents clients in resolving construction disputes at all levels of the construction supply chain, through all stages of the construction process. Prior to her time at Cambridge LLP, Pooneh practiced construction law with a focus on dispute resolution, and litigation at a downtown boutique law firm. Pooneh began her career at a downtown Toronto civil litigation law firm in 2010 where she gained several years of civil litigation experience. Pooneh has appeared before various Ontario courts on motions and trials. She has also assisted in complex civil litigation proceedings in Provincial Superior Courts. Her journey from starting as a legal assistant to obtaining her LLB from the University of Leicester in England in 2018 and Master of Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2019, showcases her dedication and commitment to the legal field. Pooneh has also obtained a Certificate in Construction Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Furthermore, her involvement in charitable and community-building activities reflects her well-rounded character and her willingness to contribute to society. During her time in England studying for her LLB, Pooneh joined the Pro Bono society, and while working at the Legal Aid office along with a partner, was named the society’s ‘Best Advising Pair.’ Pooneh has also volunteered with the British Red Cross and has served as a Director of the Iranian Canadian Legal Professionals Organization in Toronto. Volunteering with organizations like University Settlement and the British Red Cross demonstrates her compassion and desire to help those in need, particularly refugees and newcomers. Her fluency in both English and Farsi is an additional asset that can be useful in serving a diverse range of clients. This language proficiency enables her to effectively communicate and understand the needs of clients who speak either language.
Areas of Practice: Construction/Real Estate/Contractual Disputes
Type of Practice: Private Practice
Qualifying Degree from: United Kingdom
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? Through completing Osgoode’s LLM in Canadian Common Law Program
Year of Call: 2021
Come chat with me about: Practice Area, Resume Building, Job Search, Interviews, NCA qualifying, Preparation for Bar Exam
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: Canada
Carlos Vera
Lawyer, Carlos Vera Law
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I obtained my LLB in Venezuela. Moved to Canada, obtained a paralegal license in Ontario. Worked as an assistant for law firms for a few years. Then I enrolled and finished an LLM at UofT. Articled on a Refugee firm and started my own practice right after being called.
Areas of Practice: Immigration- Refugee
Type of Practice: Sole Practitioner
Qualifying Degree from: Venezuela
How did you satisfy your NCA requirements? LLM at University of Toronto
Year of Call: 2022
Come chat with me about: Job searches, articling, sole practice, immigration