Indigenous lawyer panel inspires the next generation lawyers – Anishinabek News

February 22, 2021

ONTARIO — The law school experiences of four Indigenous lawyers were recently featured during a National Advocates for Indigenous Law Students virtual panel discussion on Feb. 2.

“Going to law school was … certainly a challenging experience; however, it was one of the best experiences of my life for sure and I would not change it for the world,” says Etienne Esquega, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek citizen, Osgoode Hall Law School graduate, and principal lawyer at Esquega Law Office. “I am very proud to be … able to help my clients and doing the work I do. I cherish my friendships and the connections I have met throughout my career so far.”

Esquega says the call to the bar ceremony is one of his most rewarding experiences as a lawyer.

“Everything comes together at that point and you really feel like, ‘Wow, I’ve done it— I’ve accomplished it,’” Esquega says. “As a bencher, it’s my favourite part of my role is to attend those Call to the Bar ceremonies and be able to celebrate all the new licensees getting called to the Bar. It’s such an amazing experience every time, to see all the happy families and friends.”