NLSIU alumnus becomes judge in Canada

In a first for a lawyer trained in India,, a Bengalurean, has been made a judge at Ontario's Family Court of Justice in Canada. This breaks barriers and opens the way for internationally trained legal experts to be integrated into the Canadian judicial system.

In contrast to earlier Indian-origin judges in Canada, who were born, brought up and educated there, Justice Naik was born and brought up in India.

She developed her legal skills at the elite National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru before pursuing a legal career in India, Sweden, Singapore and Canada.

Sources indicated, "Justice Naik began her career in New Delhi as a criminal defence and human rights lawyer, going on to specialise in intellectual property law at a boutique firm. Her skills took her to Cisco Systems in India and subsequently to Singapore, where she directed brand protection initiatives. She co-founded Robins Naik LLP in Ottawa in Canada, where she was an influential figure in family, child protection, and adoption law.''

'Her dream was to be an advocate'

Sources added, "Outside the courtroom, Justice Naik's impact is felt in legal education, advocacy and community work.

She has instructed trial and family advocacy at the University of Ottawa, sat on the board of Community Legal Services Ottawa, and offered pro bono legal services to marginalized communities, including indigenous peoples and women's shelters."

Her classmate since first to tenth standard, Elizabeth Jane, spoke to TNIE, "Vasundhara, who was residing in the CPRI quarters -- where her father was employed, used to pedal to school with me and was a sports star. She was also a good singer. I recall her childhood aspiration was to become an advocate."