Ugo Oparah
Lawyer & Workplace Investigator
Expertise
- workplace investigations
- HR advisory services
- employment policies and employment contract reviews
- wrongful dismissal and severance pay negotiations
PhilosophyIn a word: Benevolent
Ugo is a dual-qualified lawyer admitted to the practice of law in both Ontario and Nigeria. She has prior experience in corporate and commercial law, which she further developed working with the in-house legal team at one of Canada’s big four accounting firms.
Ugo’s core value is to make a difference; this commitment drives and guides everything she does. Her clients describe her as “a very thorough and competent professional who always looks out for her client’s best interests.” She has also been described as “accountable, timely and consistent in every interaction.”
Ugo is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. She previously worked at the McGill Social and Equity Diversity Office, where she provided advice on social diversity, social exclusion and discrimination.
Ugo obtained her LLB in 2000, a Master of Laws from McGill University in 2011, and is currently progressing towards a post graduate certificate in human resources management and Certified Human Resources Leader designation (CHRL).
Accomplishments
Ugo is an active member of her community and loves volunteering. Ugo’s varied career includes acting as executive director of a not-for-profit organization that provides community development and family support programs. She currently volunteers with the May Court Club of Oakville. Most recently, she was secretary of the fundraising committee, which raises money to help Oakville students from less advantageous backgrounds achieve their post-secondary education dreams. She also served on the grants committee which reviews funding applications from registered charities serving Halton Region.
Backstory
Ugo’s path to law happened by accident. She had set her sights on becoming a doctor or at least working in science, but a chance meeting with the dean at her university’s law school led her to change that plan and she opted to become a lawyer instead.
In law school, Ugo discovered her love for advocacy and politics. Her favourite book then was Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History by William Safire. She spent days poring over the book, marveling at the use of words, the crafting and the combinations of phrases that inspire and captivate the reader. She especially loved the speeches by lawyers and longed for a time when she could make such eloquent speeches and command an audience’s attention.
Ugo has since made many speeches (not necessarily eloquently) and has the complete attention of her small audience at home.
An interesting tidbit
Ugo is still fascinated by well-crafted sentences and practices her skills by blogging about celebrating the ordinary and finding joy in life. She has recently taken up gardening where she finds joy in the whole process, from planting to harvesting. Her favorite season is spring when new leaf buds remind her that change is always around the corner.
