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Stories of success and connection
The ITL Observership Program
Maurice Chiasson QC and Godfred Chongatera
Lawyers new to Canada are forging connections in the legal
community and learning about the practice of law in Nova
Scotia through the Society’s Internationally Trained Lawyers
Observership Program.
After completing his observership at Stewart McKelvey, Godfred
Chongatera ended up there as an articled clerk and is now well on
track to join the province’s legal profession. The ITL Program was a
“springboard” that allowed him to make valuable connections in the
province’s legal community that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,
says Chongatera, who received his LLB in his home country of Ghana
before moving to Nova Scotia to complete a master’s degree at the
Schulich School of Law.
Working on an observership model in conjunction with Immigrant
Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS-NS), the program pairs
internationally trained lawyers with local lawyers who have similar
professional interests. Chongatera observed the day-to-day activities
of a number of lawyers at the firm, sitting in on client meetings,
participating in a CPD session with his supervising lawyer Maurice
Chiasson QC, and studying ethical matters in the Code of Professional
Conduct.
The program saw 11 internationally trained lawyers complete
observerships in a variety of legal workplaces during its pilot year,
which launched in the fall of 2013. It continues to thrive with new
participants such as Farhan Raouf, who is participating at Cox &
Palmer.
“I am delighted with the opportunity,”
says Raouf, who received two law degrees
in Pakistan. He especially appreciates “the
welcoming attitude that can be found in
Allison Smith
Freelancer
Haligonians, which is also quite visible in day-to-day affairs of the
law firm.”
Before moving here, Catrina Campana Wright spent five years in
private practice in the American Territory of Guam. Bringing a wealth
of experience to her new home, she participated in the ITL program
by shadowing Charlene Moore at Nova Scotia Legal Aid.
“It was fascinating to compare the differences – and some surprising
similarities – between my practice and Charlene’s,” says Campana
Wright, who found the program’s mentorship element particularly
beneficial. A highlight was observing Moore successfully defend a
client at an appeal board hearing, an activity that resonated with her
strong interest in administrative law.
Building friendships with other ITLs was an unexpected benefit,
adds Campana Wright. She meets and corresponds regularly with
international colleagues in order to discuss legal practice in Nova
Scotia, their professional goals and challenges facing immigrants.
Note: This is an edited version of a longer article on the Society’s blog at
nsbs.org/public-interest. If you are a practising lawyer who would like to
be involved as a supervisor, please contact Emma Halpern at
ehalpern@nsbs.org.
Fall 2014 15