Tiffany Sillanpää has joined the NCA Tutor team as the newly appointed Director of Community Outreach, building on her previous experience of nearly two years blogging for the company. In an interview with Tiffany, we explored her journey so far and her aspirations for the future.
NT: What led you to pursue legal education in the UK?
TS: It was a combination of factors. Standardized tests, like the LSAT, caused me anxiety, but my decision to go abroad went beyond that. I had the opportunity to work for a UK-based insurance company in Toronto during my undergraduate years and enjoyed the experience. Transferring to their London offices and living in the UK was feasible for me as I held EU citizenship. Additionally, after spending my entire undergraduate and an extra year of Masters studies in Ontario, I was ready for a new adventure, challenging myself by living abroad, and taking advantage of the travel opportunities the UK offered. So, it was a confluence of various factors that made pursuing legal education in the UK a sensible choice.
NT: Do you have any regrets about going abroad?
TS: Not at all. My three years of working, living, and studying in central London were incredibly enriching. I made wonderful friends and valuable professional connections during this time. Though coming back to Canada and establishing myself in the Canadian legal market had its challenges (which I have extensively written about on my blog), I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It taught me a lot about myself, my career aspirations, and how to network and brand myself in the global market. These skills will undoubtedly benefit me throughout my career and make me a better lawyer.
NT: What are you currently doing?
TS: I was fortunate to secure an articling position shortly after completing my NCA exams, which started this fall, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I feel lucky to be at a firm that appreciates and supports my drive for international knowledge and qualification. They have been incredibly supportive of my licensing process in both Ontario and New York. Now that I've passed the New York Bar, I'm focused on completing the Ontario Solicitors portion and relishing my articling experience.
NT: Congratulations on passing the New York Bar! What prompted you to pursue a USA qualification?
TS: Since my undergraduate years, it has been a dream of mine to be qualified in New York and study in New York City. I initially applied for the JD program at NYU Law, but it's a highly competitive program, and I ended up doing my LL.M there instead and sitting for the New York Bar exam this summer, which felt like a full-circle moment.
New York and Ontario have enough similarities, and cross-border work between the two is common, making having both qualifications a valuable asset in the Canadian legal job market. I've chosen to embrace my international identity and incorporate international knowledge as part of my personal brand as a lawyer. As an internationally trained lawyer, you may not fit the standard mold, but you can either be frustrated by it or use it as an opportunity to develop your unique brand. I've always refused to believe that my non-Canadian legal education was a hindrance in the Canadian market, and now I've proven that with dedication and hard work, I can adapt to any legal system.
NT: What's next for you?
TS: For now, I'm focused on my Ontario qualification and savoring the articling process with all its learning experiences. 2020 has taught me the importance of appreciating what I have and the people around me. I'm truly delighted to be at a fantastic firm surrounded by supportive and intelligent lawyers. By the end of next year, I hope to achieve my UK qualification as well. Beyond that, I'm savoring the start of my legal career and all the opportunities it presents.
To learn more about Tiffany and her journey, you can find her bio on our teams page. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year until we meet again!
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