Nonye is an ardent believer in the law, especially its varying expressions and potencies to birth change in all aspects of human existence. The phases of her professional journey to Osuji & Smith Lawyers have been unique and fun – a stint at private practice, followed by sojourns in legal academia and almost a decade in the public interest and access to justice sector.
Nonye obtained her LL. B summa cum laude in 2008 from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, graduating top of her class. Subsequently, she obtained a Baccalaureate in Law from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009. While completing her undergraduate legal education, Nonye interned at a mid-sized law firm in Lagos, Nigeria, where she gained practice experience in Corporate, Commercial, Probate, Real Estate, Intellectual Property and Family Law.
As a fresh wig, Nonye joined Nigeria’s first boutique Technology Law Firm as Associate Attorney in 2009. In this role, she represented government and corporate clients in technology contract negotiations, including an extensive multi-million-dollar contract for software development and systems integration services on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Nonye also worked on the development of cybersecurity regimes and regulatory frameworks for critical information infrastructure, while advocating for clients before courts of first instance, superior and specialized courts.
Nonye’s Canadian story began in 2011 when she commenced a specialized research-based Master of Laws program in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law at the University of Calgary. During her LL.M studies, she gained extensive legal research and writing experience through several teaching and research assistant positions at the University of Calgary’s Faculties of Law and Arts. She also volunteered with Pro Bono Law Alberta’s Court-Based Programs and authored various legal papers, including a Book chapter that was published by Oxford University Press following the completion of her post-graduate studies in 2016.
Building on a fledgling interest in access to justice that was ignited by the volunteer roles she held during her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Nonye joined Pro Bono Law Alberta in 2014. During a nearly 9-year stint with the organization, she held several positions, including the role of Executive Director, where she was responsible for human resource and financial stewardship; Policy implementation; Board liaison; Fund Development; Grant Writing and Management; Lawyer and Law Student Recruitment; Volunteer Management; Project Development and Management; Law firm and Community Stakeholder Engagement; Strategic Planning and Implementation; Fund and Project Reporting until 2023. Nonye gained significant experience in access to justice research, policy and programming in her various roles at PBLA and contributed to the development and implementation of several notable pro bono initiatives within Alberta and across Canada.
Nonye takes a strategic, intersectional, compassionate, trauma-informed and pragmatic approach to her practice. Her clients benefit from a variety of skills honed through lived and diverse professional experiences, including a decade-long experience with frontline legal services delivery in Alberta.
Beyond the Law, Nonye loves fashion, food, missions and mentorship. She is passionate about equal access to justice and volunteers with several community and religious organizations within and outside Canada. When she is not working, Nonye enjoys creative activities, especially cooking, baking, crafts, curating lookbooks and graphic design.
PUBLICATIONS
“Broadening Community and Regional Benefits from Energy Development through Environmental Restoration Funds” in Sharing the Costs and Benefits of Energy and Resources Activity. Lila Barrera-Hernández, Barry Barton, Lee Godden, Alastair Lucas, and Anita Rønne (Eds). (2016) Oxford University Press.
You can contact our office via email at [email protected] or via phone (403) 283-8018.