A Blog by Juliette Omonigho, Chairperson Foot in the Door Initiative
They come to Canada with dreams, ambition, and a world of legal experience under their belts. They are internationally trained lawyers (ITLs) seeking to build on their expertise, diversify the legal landscape, and serve communities across the country. Yet, these dreams often clash with the reality of navigating Canada’s legal system—a system that presents unique challenges ranging from licensure and accreditation to cultural and economic barriers.
This past year, the Foot in the Door Initiative (FIDI) primarily has intensified its efforts to empower these talented individuals, providing them hands on Canadian Legal experience. FIDI aims to provide them with the resources, guidance, and connections they need to thrive. As we reflect on a year marked by dynamic partnerships and tangible impact, we also look ahead with determination and hope.
Challenges Faced by Internationally Trained Lawyers
Internationally trained lawyers face numerous challenges in integrating into Canada’s legal profession. Licensing and accreditation often require rigorous NCA exams and supplementary coursework, which can be overwhelming when combined with the demands of work, family, and resettlement. Unfortunately, foreign legal credentials and experience are frequently undervalued, forcing skilled professionals to restart their careers or constantly prove their competence. This process is further complicated by significant financial burdens, as exam fees, coursework, and study materials often strain newcomers who lack networks or stable employment.
Securing articling positions can also be a major hurdle, as Canadian legal experience is often prioritized over robust qualifications from abroad. Adapting to the Canadian legal environment adds another layer of difficulty, as it requires newcomers to learn and adapt quickly. Racial discrimination, both overt and subtle, can make things even harder, slowing career progress and creating uncomfortable workplaces. Mentorship is essential in the legal field, yet many internationally trained lawyers, particularly lawyers of colour, struggle to find mentors who share their experiences and can guide them effectively.
Systemic inequities within firm cultures, hiring practices, and institutional frameworks further hinder progress. Without networks typically formed through Canadian law schools or legal societies, newcomers are often excluded from critical relationship-building opportunities. Even those fluent in English or French may struggle with nuanced legal terminology and professional communication, creating additional obstacles. Despite some support initiatives, public awareness and accessible resources for navigating accreditation remain limited, leaving many newcomers to face these challenges alone.
What FIDI Achieves
FIDI was born out of the urgent need to help internationally trained lawyers secure a meaningful foothold in the Canadian legal ecosystem. Founded by Dr. Charles Osuji (Hon. D), the President of FIDI and spearheaded by the current Chairperson of the Board, Juliette Omonigho and assisted by its other director, Shikha Shukla and tireless FIDI members and Mentors like Chuk Dimiri, Christie Eze, Lucy Mewanu, Joshua Wiliams, Lyon Ezeogu, Imtiaz Hafiz, Gia Valacco, Harsimrat Singh, Vincent Tudor, Yamin Dhalla, Enaya Emuveyan, etc. FIDI has been expanded to address multiple facets of professional development. These professionals dedicate their valuable time in training international lawyers as most of them were once in their shoes easing the integration journey for internationally trained lawyers. This unwavering dedication has earned well-deserved recognition. In 2023, the Government of Alberta honored Dr. Osuji with the ‘Inclusive Workplaces Award’ and the Late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to the province through FIDI and other initiatives.
Through FIDI, participants gain:
Exposure to Various Aspects of Canadian Law
Primarily, through Osuji & Smith Lawyers, Firm FIDI gives participants the opportunity to gain hands on experience in virtually all aspects of law by assisting lawyers in activities from drafting pleadings to legal writing to attending client consultations in all pretrial conferences and meetings to attending actual trials. Furthermore, through Workshops, seminars, and panel discussions, FIDI acquaints newcomers with local jurisprudence and legal practices.
Experience the Canadian Context
By working with Canadian lawyers and support staff, FIDI students quickly get familiar with the ethics, norms, and protocols that inform day-to-day practice in Canada.
Canadian Work Experience
Supervised placements and internship opportunities with partner law firms, government agencies, and tribunals offer that crucial “Canadian experience.”
Exposure to Networking Opportunities
In-person events and virtual meetups connect newcomers to hiring managers, established lawyers, and other potential mentors in the community.
Boosted Confidence
Above all, FIDI instills the self-assurance internationally trained lawyers need to overcome systemic barriers and realize their professional potential
2024 – A Year of Collaborative Growth
Partnership with Bow Valley College
One of our most notable collaborations in 2024 was with Directions for Immigrants at Bow Valley College, which has a dedicated program aimed at training internationally trained lawyers to take the NCA amongst other targets. We held a joint session with a panel of lawyers, administrators, and FIDI alumni, discussing the program’s benefits and how FIDI can be a critical next step for Bow Valley students. Thank you to Kim Carson, Joan Basset, Niroslav Reljic, Chuk Dimiri, Shikha Shukhla, Yasmin Dhalla and ofcourse Dr. Charles Osuji for a truly enlightening session. Since then, multiple clients from Bow Valley have joined our program, reinforcing our shared commitment to broadening opportunities in the legal field.
Partnership with CRIEC
Our partnership with the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) introduced us to the Professional Engagement Program (PEP), which sponsors articling placements for qualified candidates. Through this link, many of our FIDI participants have secured articling positions, bridging the gap between their international expertise and the Canadian legal market.
Collaboration with NCA Teacher, Mr. Ammar
We hosted several joint sessions with NCA Teacher, headed by Mr. Ammar, where we presented FIDI’s offerings to current NCA students. As a result, many of these students joined our ranks—and some have since secured positions at our partner law firms. Their success stories are a testament to the power of collective effort and targeted guidance.
Working with Ukrainian Lawyers
The global landscape shifted dramatically this past year, leading to an influx of Ukrainian lawyers seeking refuge and opportunity in Canada. We organized a special joint session to welcome these professionals, introducing them to FIDI, explaining licensure requirements, and offering a supportive community in trying times. We are happy to have several of our Ukrainian Internationally trained lawyers join the FIDI program
Black Employment Awareness Month Presentation
For the first ever Black Employment Awareness Month, FIDI had the privilege of presenting its work at the Calgary Petroleum Club in partnership with the Immigrant Champions Canada of which the present Chair, Juliette also serves as the legal Director. It was an opportunity to have a great audience including the Minister of Multiculturalism and his deputy, Ako Ufodike listen to the achievements of FIDI. We highlighted our mission to empower Black and African lawyers, demonstrating how FIDI provides an essential bridge into the Canadian legal society. Dr Charles Osuji was interviewed by CityNews to speak about the impactful contributions made by FIDI to the Canadian Legal landscape .
Collaboration with Immigrant Services Calgary
Our ongoing dialogue with Immigrant Services Calgary connected us to even more newcomers—many of whom were lawyers eager to learn about FIDI. We highlighted the benefits and practicalities of FIDI in presentations and offered them direct pathways to join our program, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Their journey stands as a testament to how community outreach can dramatically expand access for those in need of a helping hand.
FIDI’s Impact So Far
Over 250 “Fidians” have walked through our doors, each success story reaffirming our belief that talent knows no borders. This year alone, over 40 participants have joined this incredible journey. We take pride in bridging the gap between internationally trained lawyers (ITLs) and the opportunities they rightfully deserve. The testimonials from our participants speak volumes about their experiences, and we share in their pride as they receive their completion certificates. Armed with invaluable experience, they are better equipped to navigate and thrive in the new country they love, knowing that through the program they have gained a more solid footing.
In 2024, former FIDI participants who Articled in our firm were called to the Alberta Bar.
Lyon Ezeogu is a giant in the Nigerian Academic sphere. Lyon is a certified Mediator with the Nigerian Institute of Chattered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC); the first set of trained African Law Clinicians (an Open Society Justice Initiative, OSJI) by the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa; and was member, Network of University Legal Aid Institutions, and was an active participant with many projects of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Nigeria. Lyon is also among the few lawyers appointed as Notary Public by the Chief Justice of the Federation of Nigeria. On relocating to Canada FIDI eased the transition for Lyon to assimilate his remarkable qualifications into the Canadian legal system as a practising lawyer.
Christie Eze is s a triple-qualified lawyer who has been called to the Nigerian Bar, Ontario Bar and Alberta Bar, Christie brings along a diverse legal background and a wealth of experience to the table. She is a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb, London), and she is associated with the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI Canada) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators (ICSA) in Nigeria. With her stellar, record, Christie should have had no challenges with integrating into the Canadian Legal system, but she did. FIDI is proud to have offered such talent the stepping stone needed to get a foot in the door and has not been retained by Osuji & Smith lawyers as a senior associate.
Shikha, a brilliant lawyer from India, articled with the Supreme Court in India but was forced to work in retail on her arrival to Canada due to lack of opportunities. On joining the FIDI program her brilliance shone not just as lawyer but an active volunteer to the FIDI program. She completed her master Degree in Law and was called to the Alberta Bar in 2024. and also serves as the Treasure and Secretary of the FIDI program.
Imtiaz, a brilliant lawyer from Bangladesh, joined FIDI just three weeks after arriving in Canada. Within a month, his exceptional talent was clear, and he was retained by Osuji & Smith Lawyers as an Articling Student. In less than two years, Imtiaz not only qualified as a lawyer but was also retained by Osuji & Smith—a record achievement for an internationally trained lawyer (ITL)!
Harsimrat’s journey is equally inspiring. Trained as a lawyer in India, he brought unmatched dedication and work ethic to the FIDI program, securing an articling position in record time. Recently called to the Alberta Bar, Harsimrat has now secured employment at Osuji & Smith Lawyers as well!
This is the power of FIDI: transforming the careers of internationally trained lawyers in profound ways. Our vision is to see other law firms embrace the FIDI model, offering internationally trained lawyers opportunities to integrate swiftly into the legal profession, while law firms benefit from exceptional global talent like Shikha, Imtiaz and Harsimrat.
Creating Opportunities for All Racialized Lawyers: Whether through direct training and mentorship, professional placements, or corporate connections, FIDI has become a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the legal profession for ITLs.
Our participants achieve Quicker Placements in Articling Positions: Our structured and well-established networks have dramatically reduced the wait time for newcomers seeking articling opportunities. Placements in Albertan Government, Large Law Firms, and Administrative Tribunals: Our participants are increasingly securing roles across diverse legal settings, demonstrating the caliber and versatility of internationally trained lawyers. We help in Promoting an Equitable, Inclusive, and Diverse Legal Landscape: Every new hire, partnership, and initiative pushes the needle closer to a legal profession that reflects Canada’s multicultural reality.
FIDI’s Future Goals
Our Goal is to continue bridging the Gap Between Internationally trained Talent and Opportunity, expanding our programming and partnerships to ensure that ITL have equal access to articling positions, internships, and long-term
Looking Ahead
2024 was filled with remarkable strides, but our work is far from over. We plan to grow our partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and other law firms and the government of Alberta. We aspire to expand our mentorship programs, provide tailored career-development workshops, and champion policy reforms that lower barriers for internationally trained lawyers.
If this past year taught us anything, it’s that collaboration changes lives. From our sessions with Bow Valley College, Immigrant Champions Canada, Immigrant Services Canada, our Ukrainian Community etc to the CRIEC sponsorships and the support from Mr. Ammar’s NCA Teacher program, we see the power of communities coming together to advocate for inclusivity in the legal profession. Every single success story—every new articling position, every bar admission, every firm hire—reminds us of why FIDI exists: to ensure that no lawyer’s talent goes to waste simply because they were trained elsewhere.
Here’s to another year of removing roadblocks, amplifying voices, and forging a more equitable legal sphere. With renewed determination and the ongoing support of our partners, FIDI is ready to continue opening doors and changing lives—one internationally trained lawyer at a time.
