Studying Law Around the World

Herman Wong is the host of the podcast Law Syrup and an incoming litigation associate at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto. With a passion for making law accessible, Herman has previously served as a Justice Education Fellow for the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), where he was recognized with the Tate Herbert Memorial Post-Secondary Award for his contributions to legal education. An Osgoode Hall Law School alum, Herman has a background in journalism, holding a Bachelor of Journalism and a Combined Honours degree in French from Carleton University, where he received several academic accolades. He has a strong commitment to mentorship and community engagement, which is reflected in both his legal and media work. Law Syrup is a podcast that delves into hot topics on Canada law and legal-related careers. Hosted by Herman Wong, the series features candid conversations with special guests including academics, and activists, aiming to demystify complex legal issues and foster a more inclusive dialogue around justice. Co-produced with the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) and supported by The Law Foundation of Ontario, Law Syrup blends insightful commentary with a casual, approachable tone, making legal discussions accessible to everyone. This season’s guests include high-profile figures like Supreme Court Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin and other guests within the legal practice and beyond. Herman's dedication to improving access to justice and transparency within the legal system is at the heart of every episode. Listen to it at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5dO4Z3PdAgEO8GJbMw5IbD?si=9172ba4712e44d0c

Jake Hirsch-Allen is a Senior Fellow at The Dais focusing on inclusive technology and skills. Most recently he has been building public-private partnerships in workforce development and higher education for LinkedIn. Jake advises the Mila AI institute, impact investors, public sector leaders and start-ups, including on responsible tech and AI governance. He founded Lighthouse Labs and has acted as a director on many boards. A former intellectual property and international criminal lawyer, Jake was also chair of the Technology Committee of the Global Education Platform, taught Global Health at McMaster University and clerked at the Supreme Court of Israel. 

Richard A. Haigh is an Assistant Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and Director of York’s Centre for Public Policy and Law and Co-Director of the Part-Time LLM program in Constitutional Law at Osgoode Professional Development. He was, until December 2007, the Associate Director, Graduate Program at Osgoode Professional Development. Professor Haigh is the host of the podcast 'What's Law Got To Do With It?', where he and his student co-host discuss the ins and outs of Canadian law school life. According to the podcast description, they "attempt to be funny", a goal they very much succeed in. He has been a Senior Lecturer at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, a Senior Advisor at the National Judicial Institute in Ottawa, and a Legal Research and Writing Lecturer at Osgoode. His research and teaching interests include Constitutional Law, Public Law, and Equity and Trusts, particularly the areas of freedom of conscience and religion. His recent works include papers on the use of conscience and religion in legislative policies, whistleblowing, dialogue theory and freedom of expression’s relation to noise by-laws; he has also contributed a chapter to a book on legislating statutory interpretation, and a chapter to the casebook on public law (Emond, 3rd ed., 2015).

Michael Tam is the Program Lawyer, Professional Graduate & International Programs at Osgoode Professional Development. In this role he develops degree programs, graduate courses, and non-degree education options for domestic and internationally trained lawyers and law students. He is also the academic and career counsellor to all OsgoodePD students and a career coach to NCA candidates. Michael holds an Honours B.Sc (Hons) in Psychology, an LL.B. from the University of Leicester, and an LL.M from the University of Toronto with a focus on human rights. He completed the NCA process in 2013 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2015. Michael is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives. As of 2023, he has also taken over administration of the Canada wide OCIs for ITL/NCA Candidates initiative with ITLNCA NetworkS.

Piper Riley Thompson is a legal career advisor, former human rights lawyer, and entrepreneur. Piper has dedicated her career to breaking down taboos and increasing inclusivity in the legal profession. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of the Career & Professional Development Office at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Additionally, Piper is the Founder of Ontario Bar Exam Coach, a strategic coaching business that helps lawyer licensing candidates effectively prepare for the Ontario bar exams. Piper also co-founded and co-hosted Off the Tracks Podcast from 2021-2024. Off the Tracks won a Canadian Law Blog Award for Best Podcast and covered subjects such as career transitions, law student debt, launching your own law firm, and the evolving legal landscape across Canada.  Get access to free resources to prepare for the Ontario Bar Exams.  Follow Piper on LinkedIn. 

NEW SEASON! Lilia Kvorka is a bilingual lawyer, licensed in Mexico and in Ontario with experience in both the public and private sectors, including the State and Federal Government in Mexico as well as a Foreign Mission in Canada. She is a Director for the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association and Associate Corporate Counsel for the Canadian mining Company Americas Gold and Silver. Lilia’s path to licensing in Ontario included the GPLLM Program at the University of Toronto, the Ryerson Law Practice Program (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and the mentorship with the CHBA, all of which she strongly believes were vital to her call to the Ontario Bar in 2022. Lilia was elected as part of the Law Practice Program student executive committee and was the LPP representative on the OBA Student Executive. She was also on the OBA Mental Health and Awareness Sub-Committee and identifies herself as a mental health advocate. Lilia specializes in navigating the legal complexities of mining operations. Her background in Mexican law, her experience as Associate Corporate Counsel combined with her knowledge of corporate governance and compliance ensures that companies uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct while pursuing their ESG goals. As part of her dedication to continued education, she earned a certificate in Mining Law from Osgoode Hall and she is currently taking a certificate in Environmental Law from the Supreme Court of Justice (Mexico). Lilia believes in giving back to the legal community; even as busy mom, wife and professional, she will always find time to speak with anyone who is asking for advice or looking to achieve their goal of becoming licensed in Canada.

Neste episódio, vamos mergulhar na história de Jonathan Mafra Sena de Santana, um advogado brasileiro que estou na UNIVALI, em Santa Catarina. Ele nos conta sobre sua jornada de sucesso ao concluir o Mestrado em Direito (LLM) na Penn State Law e ser admitido no programa de MBA da mesma universidade. Jonathan compartilha sua experiência única de ter embarcado nessa aventura acadêmica junto com sua esposa e filha, destacando os desafios de estudar no exterior em família. Além disso, ele oferece dicas valiosas sobre como financiar os estudos e compartilha seu conhecimento nessa área. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmssantana/

João is a Brazilian qualified Lawyer with a strong background in research and litigation focused on the civil, economic, and social rights of Brazilian nationals, refugees, and migrants. He has conducted extensive research on mass surveillance technologies, internet shutdowns, and their impact on the civil and political rights of Human Rights Defenders in Latin America. As a Chevening Scholar in the UK, João further developed his expertise in law and human rights. He aspires to work as a Business and Human Rights/ESG consultant or analyst, assisting companies in integrating sustainability principles into their supply chains and internal policies through research analysis, capacity training, and data assessment.

Adriana Lacombe Coiro is a former student of FGV Direito Rio and recently completed her LL.M. degree at Harvard Law School. She was the recipient of the prestigious Jorge Paulo Lemann Fellowship, as well as the Person of the Year Fellowship from the Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce. With her impressive academic and professional background, Adriana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with listeners about her time at Harvard and navigating the application process. @alc.consultoria (instagram.com/alc.consultoria/) Linkedin: Linkedin.com/company/alc-consultoria-sua-melhor-hist%C3%B3ria/

Fadi Khalil is currently a Working Group Expert Member at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. He holds a Master of Laws (LLM), Specializing in Public International Law from the University of Nottingham. His areas of specialization include subjects and sources of International Law, acquisition and loss of territories, International Law on the Use of Force, UN Law, Law of Treaties, International Human Rights Law (IHRL), International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Criminal Law, Post-conflict Law, and State Responsibility.