Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 9 W hen Philip Okpala first came to Canada as a refugee, he had a hard enough time finding any work, let alone in his chosen profession. The lawyer fled Nigeria in 2003 after political turmoil forced his family into hiding. While Okpala had achieved an honours degree in a law school program and had worked in Nigeria in different capacities, he was told not to include his legal training in his resumé. He eventually found work at a farm in Ancaster, Ont. through an employment agency and also did some construction. He later became an assistant for a lawyer who did real estate work while he studied at night for the necessary examin- ations to gain accreditation in Canada. He then quit his job to study for the bar exam, which he passed in 2006. A Law Society of Upper Canada tribu- nal panel recently suspended Okpala for two months for unknowingly facilitating fraudulent mortgage transactions. In Law Society of Upper Canada v. Okpala, the panel found that Okpala had failed to competently serve his clients but that these failures were largely because of his lack of experience as an immigrant. And the difficulties he experienced were likely compounded by racial discrimination, the decision said. Lawyers say Okpala's case and others like it show the law society needs to do more to help lawyers who come to Canada as immigrants and refugees. "It's very difficult for people who are not from here and don't necessarily have a community they can connect to to establish mentoring relationships and build the kinds of connections with people who allow them to grow and gain insight into their practice," says Joel Sandaluk, an immigration and refugee lawyer at Mamann Sandaluk & Kingwell LLP, who was not involved in the case. A spokeswoman for the law society says the regulator already offers a number \ AT L A N T I C \ C E N T R A L \ P R A I R I E S \ W E S T REGIONAL WRAP-UP CASE HIGHLIGHTS GAPS FOR IMMIGRANT LAWYERS Joel Sandaluk says more needs to be done to encourage experienced lawyers to provide mentorship, particularly in smaller communities. Continued on page 10 OsgoodePD has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the LSUC. OSGOODE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION Upcoming 2018 Programs For Litigators & Personal Injury Counsel Successful Advocacy in Insurance Mediations February 21-22, 2018 (In Person or Webcast) An essential course for plaintiffs' and defendants'/insurers' counsel involved in tort, personal injury, fire and property loss and other insurance mediations. Current and Emerging Issues in Civil Sexual Assault February 26, 2018 (In Person or Webcast) A must-attend program for professionals engaged in advancing or defending civil sexual assault claims. Financial Statements for Legal Professionals March 1-2, 2018 (In Person) This interactive program will provide you with comprehensive and practical guidance in order to effectively analyze financial reports in your practice. Accident Benefits 2018: What's Current, What's Important? March 8, 2018 (In Person or Webcast) This year's program is particularly timely in view of increased experience with the new Licence Appeal Tribunal regime. A must-attend event for anyone working in the accident benefits field. Your time is valuable, so make the most of it. Invest your time with OsgoodePD's leading experts, and get the current knowledge and practical strategies you need to succeed. See the full listing of upcoming programs at osgoodepd.ca/ litigation2018 ntitled-6 1 2017-11-01 4:38 PM

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