OBA Young Lawyers Division and Students Section
Calling all lawyer licensing candidates and law students! Don’t miss this opportunity to get the insights you need to bridge the gap between law school and the practice of law! In a convenient and easy to access on-demand format, this eight-part series is designed to meet the needs of new students-at-law (including articling students, Integrated Practice Curriculum students, and Law Practice Program/Programme de pratique du droit candidates) as you move towards your call to the bar.
Master the skills that you did not learn in law school. Our expert faculty will give you a broad range of perspectives. All sessions are immediately available on-demand for you to watch at your own pace, when and where you want. Register now to gain valuable insight to help you along the pathway to your Call to the Bar, as you transition from student to lawyer.
Session 1: Relationships, Mentorship, and Building Your Network
Length: One hour
Hear about one of the most important parts of a successful and fulfilling legal career: relationships. Learn essential strategies and advice for building your network, cultivating relationships and engaging in mentorship. Our expert speakers will share guidance on:
- creating connections with in-person networking and through online platforms
- fostering relationships with colleagues in your firm
- how to identify mentors and maintain quality mentoring relationships.
Program Speakers:
Merredith MacLennan, Merovitz Potechin LLP
André Bacchus, Career Coach, Advisor and Consultant
*Recorded January 2025
Session 2: Practice Management and Time Management
Length: One hour
Practice management skills are essential for a successful lawyer, regardless of the size of your firm or the area of your practice. Gather valuable insights to help you stay on top of your workload, including:
- Strategies and systems for time docketing
- How to prioritize and navigate multiple demands and files
- Valuable advice for file management and complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct
Program Speakers:
Paulette Nnorom, President and Principal Coach, Creative Choices for the 21st Century Lawyer Inc.
Keya Dasgupta, Head of Learning and Organizational Development at Norton Rose Fulbright
*Recorded February 2025
Session 3: Legal Research and Writing
Length: One hour
Sharpen your legal research and writing skills with this helpful session! Research and writing will be a key task as an articling student and early career lawyer. Make sure you have the knowledge and insights to confidently tackle these assignments, including when and how to use artificial intelligence to assist you and what to watch out for.
Program Chair:
Airianna Mapp, McLeod Green Dewar & Associates
Program Speakers:
Charmaine Tierney, Law Society of Ontario
Debbie Boswell, Lerners LLP
*Recorded November 2025
Session 4: Courtroom Essentials
Length: One hour
Get helpful insights on what you need to know about going to Court, including courtroom etiquette both in-person and virtually, how to prepare and more.
Program Chair:
Hanaa Ameer, Articling Student
Program Speakers:
Ranjan Das, Berkow Youd Lev-Farrell Das LLP
Alexander Evangelista, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Emily OKeefe, McLead Green Dewar LLP
*Recorded January 2026
Session 5: Transactional Work Essentials
Length: One hour
Put your best foot forward on transactional files with this valuable session. Our faculty will share advice on:
- Your role and what you should be paying attention to
- Due diligence – the importance of setting an accurate foundation
- Email etiquette on transactional matters: client and internal communications
Program Chair:
Tomiwa Ogundipe, Articling Student, Border Ladner Gervais LLP
Program Speakers:
Francesca Lee, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
M. Imtiaz Karamat, Deeth Williams Wall LLP
*Recorded February 2026
Session 6: Hirebacks, Personal Resilience and What Comes Next
Length: One hour
It can be a stressful time of year when hire back decisions are being made and job offers extended. Learn strategies for managing your stress and navigating these decisions. Leave feeling prepared to negotiate this phase and consider the opportunities available for the next stage of your career.
Program Chairs:
Mariya Aksyonova, Student-at-Law at BMO Wealth Management, Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Hanaa Ameer, Articling Student at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation
Program Speakers:
Lindsay Kantor, Director of Talent and Recruitment, Torkin Manes LLP
Tiffany Lau, Manager, Student and Associate Programs, Lerners LLP
Paulette Nnorom, Creative Choices for the 21st Century Lawyer
*Recorded March 2026
Session 7: Promoting Equity and Allyship in Legal Workplaces
Length: One hour
Many law firms and legal organizations are working towards becoming more inclusive and equitable. Gather advice on how to build your capacity as an ally, and gather insights on creating an inclusive environment in your legal workplace. These are important skills that you will apply from law school right through your career!
Program Speakers:
Susannah Alleyne, Senior Manager of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, Lenczner Slaght LLP
Melanie Anderson, Goldblatt Partners and Chair, OBA Sexual & Gender Diversity Alliance
*Recorded April 2025
Session 8: Managing Law School Debt and Financial Planning
Length: One hour
Law school is a significant investment of your time and money. Hear from our panelists as they share strategies and insights learned as they navigated their student debt journeys, as well as learn from financial professionals with industry knowledge.
Program Speakers:
Sally McRae, Financial Planner, Lawyers Financial
Valentina Galvis, Barrister and Solicitor
Emily OKeefe, McLeod Green Dewar LLP
*Recorded May 2026
