From Mentee to Mentor: How FIDI Is Helping Internationally Trained Lawyers Build Careers in Calgary
Mentorship can reach well beyond one career. When an established professional helps a newcomer get into their field, the benefit reaches hundreds of other professionals, their families and Calgary’s economy.
The CRIEC 2026 Impact Report shows this through the story of Dr. Charles Osuji, founder of Osuji & Smith Lawyers and the Foot in the Door Initiative (FIDI).
How CRIEC Supported an Internationally Trained Lawyer in Calgary
In 2011, Dr. Osuji came to Calgary as an internationally trained lawyer from Nigeria. He had the education and experience, but like many newcomers he had not yet built the professional network he needed to start his career in Canada.
The Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) helped fill that gap. Through CRIEC’s mentorship and employer connections, he built relationships in Calgary’s legal community and gained the confidence to launch his practice.
That early support grew into Osuji & Smith Lawyers, now Canada’s largest Black-owned law firm. Dr. Osuji later served on CRIEC’s Board of Directors for seven years and helped guide the organization that had once supported him.
What Is the Foot in the Door Initiative (FIDI)?
The Foot in the Door Initiative (FIDI) is a talent integration program founded by Dr. Osuji. It helps internationally trained lawyers (ITLs) in Calgary get what is often hardest to find when starting over in a new country: Canadian work experience, professional networks and meaningful career opportunities.
According to the CRIEC 2026 Impact Report, FIDI has:
- Placed 300+ internationally trained professionals in meaningful employment
- Engaged 15 legal, corporate and community partners
- Delivered 15+ years of talent integration and mentorship
- Given 35,000+ training hours through Osuji & Smith lawyers who train and mentor participants
Many FIDI participants trace their opportunities back to the networks, mentorship and employer connections that CRIEC first made possible.
The Economic Impact of Hiring Internationally Trained Professionals
The report also estimates what these placements mean for Calgary’s economy. It uses a conservative average salary of $50,000 to $70,000 for internationally trained professionals in legal, business, and professional roles. On that basis, FIDI placements represent an estimated:
- $15M to $21M in annual employment income across 300+ placements
- $75M to $105M in cumulative economic activity over five years, including wages, spending and tax contributions*
Each placement also means a skilled professional working in their field, a family building stability in a new home, and an employer gaining talent it might otherwise have missed.
Pathways for Internationally Trained Lawyers in Alberta
The CRIEC 2026 Impact Report also shows growing momentum for internationally trained lawyers in Calgary. Through CRIEC’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Pathway, the report highlights:
- 86 participants in the program
- 34 law firms engaged
- 47 articling placements
- 19 participants called to the bar or completing their finals
For foreign-trained lawyers working through the NCA process and articling in Alberta, programs like FIDI and CRIEC’s pathway provide mentorship and the practical experience that can make the difference in getting to the bar.
Why Mentorship Matters for Newcomers in Calgary
In Dr. Osuji’s words:
“Mentorship is using your experience, influence, and network to help someone reach opportunities they may not be able to access on their own. We have a responsibility to do the same for others.”
His path from mentee to mentor shows what can happen when opportunity is passed forward. Investing in one newcomer’s success can create pathways for hundreds more and strengthen Calgary’s workforce and economic competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the Foot in the Door Initiative?
FIDI supports internationally trained professionals in Calgary who want Canadian work experience in legal, business and professional roles. Contact the FIDI team to learn about current eligibility.
How does FIDI help internationally trained lawyers?
Participants receive training and mentorship from Osuji & Smith lawyers, plus access to professional networks and hands-on Canadian experience that support their move into the Canadian legal market.
Can employers or organizations partner with FIDI?
Yes. FIDI works with legal, corporate, and community partners. Organizations interested in hiring or mentoring internationally trained talent can reach out directly.
Where can I read the CRIEC 2026 Impact Report?
You can read the full report here: CRIEC 2026 Impact Report.
Connect With the FIDI Team
If you are an internationally trained professional, an employer or a community partner interested in the Foot in the Door Initiative, we’d be glad to hear from you.
📧 [email protected]
📞 403-283-8018
🌐 Foot in the Door Initiative (FIDI)
*Figures are illustrative, high-level estimates presented in the CRIEC 2026 Impact Report, based on approximate salary ranges for internationally trained professionals. They are not a formal economic impact study.