Foreign Trained Black Lawyers’ Experiences in Ontario: I am a Lawyer! Am I a Lawyer? An Odyssey!

Abstract This thesis examines the experiences of foreign trained black lawyers navigating the Canadian legal credentialing process in Ontario and how that has impacted their lives. I chose to focus on foreign trained black lawyers (FTBL) and take a comparative look at black lawyers born and trained in Africa and the Caribbean as well as Canadian born blacks who studied outside Canada. FTBL includes those who are born in Canada and study abroad and those who are immigrants to Canada. The research employed a discursive framework, using the intersectionality of critical race theory and integrative anti-racist theory to contextualize and examine the issue. I employed a mixed method design using an online survey and interviews to examine and analyze the challenges of foreign trained black lawyers becoming credentialed in the Ontario legal system. The five major themes that emerged are as follows: 1) the NCA’s (National Committee on Accreditation) lack of transparency and consistency in the process of accreditation, and the Law Society of Upper Canada, specifically the LSUC exams; 2) Articling in Ontario, focusing on the challenges of securing articling positions; 3) the Impact of Racism, focusing on disempowerment and discrimination;4) Resilience and Career motivation, highlighting the participants’ coping mechanisms, sustenance and support; and 5) Networking, in particular relating to the importance and relevance of social capital in finding suitable work experiences.Ph.D