Arman Chak

Arman Chak could not be happier with his decision to participate in the Osgoode Hall Law School’s LL.M program. “It was an absolutely fantastic experience. There’s no doubt that it provided me with the opportunity to enhance my career,” says the 39-year-old general counsel with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the youngest person to ever hold that position.

“It’s a very practical, hands-on program,” he says, adding, “The type of legal problems that I’m able to handle now is at a completely different level of expertise.”

The school’s reputation was a factor in his decision to choose Osgoode, but the flexibility of the program meant that he could remain at his job in Edmonton while taking the classes remotely in the evening. One unexpected benefit was that “you’re able to use what you learn immediately. The questions posed to me in class are the same ones I’d hear every day at work.”

While the program is tailored for distance learning, it’s certainly not isolating. Chak was one of four classmates based in Edmonton who would convene in a state-of-the-art video-conference room. The program also includes two in-class sessions in Toronto.

A key component of the coursework is a major research paper. Naturally, Chak focused his on human rights law. “It was very helpful for me to have that concentrated effort to develop my own theories on the practice I’m in.” But all the courses were and remain beneficial, says Chak, acknowledging that he regularly refers to his old course materials.

He’s also full of praise for the professionalism and experience of the professors and guest speakers he met, including attorneys general, the heads of labour boards, and legal practitioners with some of the country’s largest law firms, as well as the calibre of his classmates. “These are amazing, talented people to know, talking about important, cutting-edge issues. I can’t say enough about being in a circle of professionals that have such a high level of commitment,” he says.

Chak’s own professionalism has garnered him various accolades. In 2013, Avenue Edmonton magazine named him one of their “Top 40 Under 40” in part for his work at the Human Rights Commission. The magazine also noted his passion for filmmaking – he has written and directed eight short films, and has volunteered with Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta.

His experience at Osgoode also inspired Chak to become more involved in pro bono legal work. So much so that, in 2011, he was awarded the Young Lawyers-Canadian Bar Association (YL-CBA) Pro Bono Award.

“The program really is designed for the student to hit their career goals,” says Chak, attributing much of his success to the skills he developed studying at Osgoode.