Facing the uncomfortable truth, as an internationally trained lawyer or law student, you may encounter condescension and judgment. I can personally attest to this from my own experiences. While there are commendable initiatives like the Global Lawyers Forum and the Internationally Trained Lawyers Association, there remains insufficient awareness about the journey of internationally trained lawyers and law students, leaving Canadian-trained individuals often unable to fully comprehend and appreciate the value we bring.
Initially, I thought having a degree from Europe would be an additional asset to my skills. I relished the opportunity to travel, connect with relatives in Europe, and challenge myself in a different educational system while still achieving success. However, I've been met with questions like "Why didn't you just stay in Canada?" or assumptions that I tried to evade a three-year law degree (despite my two Canadian degrees before pursuing law school). What many fail to realize is that transitioning back as an internationally trained individual, even as a Canadian citizen, is immensely challenging—both personally and professionally. It can take more than the year we seemingly "skipped" to navigate the licensing process and become a practicing lawyer.
Nonetheless, there is hope. Not everyone looks down upon NCA candidates, and I've had the privilege of meeting lawyers who candidly acknowledged their preference for Canadian-trained students. I appreciate their honesty. On the other hand, there are those who recognize the value of cultural literacy and the diverse educational background that NCA students bring. I believe that, with time and hard work, your career trajectory will shift, and where you studied will matter less compared to your work ethic and accomplishments.
The early stages of our careers can be tough—tackling accreditation exams, pursuing LL.M, securing articles, or navigating the LPP, which may bring additional challenges. Nevertheless, we knew the path we were embarking upon. Instead of dwelling on others' perceptions of internationally trained lawyers or law students, let us focus on taking one step at a time until we reach a point in our careers where our work speaks louder than our degrees. We will eventually earn a seat at the table, advocating for the importance of diverse educational experiences not just within the legal industry, but for the people we serve as lawyers.
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