Sarvar Gahlawat has taken a few chances along his path to Timmins.
The articling student at Riopelle Group has been through the process of becoming a lawyer both in his home country of India and here in Canada. That experience has given him an interest in immigration law.
“When I was doing all the processes for my permanent residence applications, I found it very interesting, and I was hoping I could work in that area of law,” he said.
Timmins offered Gahlawat the opportunity to complete the requirements for his bar call through the Riopelle Group, and he’s four months out from his exams.
“I’m hoping that I will get the opportunity to continue working as a lawyer here,” he said, “There are factors to be considered.”
Internationally trained lawyers must undergo a process to qualify to practice in Canada. It involves a skills assessment and can require writing a minimum of five National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) exams, coursework or the completion of a Canadian law degree.
While Gahlawat studies here, his wife has been doing the same in London, Ont. at Western University, where she is working on her PhD at the School of Health Science there.
“She has just started her PhD in September,” he said,
Gahlawat’s journey didn’t start with an eye for the law.
“Initially, I wanted to be an engineer,” he said. “During my high school, I figured that this was not something I wanted to do long-term. At the same time, I was interested in knowing the law, and knowing what rights we have as a citizen.”
He completed an integrated five-year course in India before coming to Canada.
“I was expecting a big change, but in a way I was prepared too,” he said. “I am very open to learning new things and making myself accustomed to the laws of the land.”
When he came to Timmins, he faced a very familiar challenge for many coming to the area: finding housing.
“Eventually, we were able to convince our Air B&B host to rent out the space for a few months,” he said.
Gahlawat is currently living in Porcupine and finds it a great place to live, and the experience has been a positive one.
“My wife and I like to walk by the lake,” he said.
He hopes to eventually share the lesson he’s taken from his own life experience with his clients. In the meantime, he’s enjoying the new experiences Canada has provided for him.
“This opportunity made me move to Timmins, and I am now considering a long-term plan in Timmins,” he said. “The opportunities are definitely worth it.”
