Embracing the journey as an internationally trained lawyer (ITL) in Canada
Guest post by Ireesha Jethanandani
Our ITL series continues with a guest post from Ireesha Jethanandani.
Ireesha has spent the summer working at our firm, and she’s one of the many ITLs that we’ve had the pleasure to work with over the past few years.
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Embracing the journey as an internationally trained lawyer in Canada
Canada has become one of the most popular destinations for immigrants. Many people come here from different parts of the world with the hopes and dreams of a better quality of life and to seek personal and professional growth.
When I moved to Canada in September last year, I had a similar vision. As a law graduate from India, I was ready to set my foot in the Canadian legal industry, but I quickly realized it is not as easy as it sounds. I was aware that it would take a lot of work, patience and perseverance to manage a million things along with school (including managing monthly finances, working part-time, saving up to pay for school, cracking the NCAs etc). As I said, a million things.
However, despite being aware and having done thorough research, you only understand how challenging it truly is when you live through all of it.
I believe the journey of an internationally trained lawyer (ITL) is in complete contrast with that of a Canadian law graduate. Some challenges, such as adapting to a new legal environment, can be anticipated and managed with effort and perseverance. However, other obstacles are less predictable and often not discussed openly. For instance, there is a subtle stigma associated with being an ITL in Canada. This differentiation often stems from assumptions about our backgrounds and can affect our opportunities.
I experienced this firsthand while applying for internships this summer. Despite my law degree and previous work experience in India, I hardly received any call-backs. Employers often cited a lack of experience as the reason for rejection, which seemed ironic since internships are intended to provide experience. My year-long corporate law firm job and multiple internships in India appeared to hold little value in the Canadian job market, where "Canadian experience" is highly prized. This creates a significant hurdle for ITLs, whose credibility is frequently questioned without local experience.
In my opinion, employers should assess candidates based on their potential and willingness to learn, rather than solely on previous experience. At Renno & Co, I found an opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities. I even remember asking my interviewer, Holly, whether my lack of Canadian legal experience would have any impact on my assessment. She responded with a confident ‘no’ and said that everyone at the firm is learning new things every day and that is the last thing I should be worried about. This welcoming and inclusive attitude was a breath of fresh air.
After spending three months at the firm, I now understand what Holly meant. The firm fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth, where everyone, regardless of background, is encouraged to develop as lawyers. This experience has provided me with the valuable "Canadian experience" I needed to bridge the gap between my past and present.
As an ITL, we strive to match the standards of Canadian law graduates. All we need is an opportunity to prove our worth.