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Irina is a dedicated legal career coach specializing in helping aspiring and practicing lawyers build a successful and fulfilling career in Canada. She worked as an internationally trained paralegal, an Ontario-licensed lawyer, and a legal recruiter before she embarked on her coaching journey. Irina was motivated to establish Mui Coaching, her own legal coaching and consulting services, where she provides comprehensive and personalized support to legal professionals.
I was born in Hong Kong and have had a strong sense of fairness since childhood. Back in 1996, as the handover of Hong Kong approached, many people were worried and opposed to it. I remember asking my mother, “Why can’t we just refuse to be handed over? This is our city—don’t we have a say?” She replied, “Unfortunately, we can’t. There’s a contract between the two countries, and we have to comply with what it says.”
That moment made me realize the profound power of laws—how they don’t just shape individual lives but can determine the future of an entire society. It sparked my interest in law, as I wanted to understand the legal system and be able to protect myself and my loved ones.
I can’t think of anything I wish I had known beforehand, but I can share what I believe is important for anyone applying to law school. First, meeting the application deadline is crucial. Equally important is following the application instructions precisely—submitting only the required documents. Including additional, unrequested materials may give the impression that you struggle to follow instructions, which is a fundamental skill for any lawyer.
When I applied to law school, I wouldn’t say my personal statement was particularly outstanding—I was admitted largely because the school valued my legal work experience. However, through my studies and career, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many hiring managers and law school course directors, and here’s what I’ve learned:
Think of your personal statement as a love letter to the legal profession—tell your story. What sparked your interest in law? Why do you want to become a lawyer? How does practicing law align with your core values? Do you enjoy reading, writing, and analytical thinking?
Showcase the qualities that will set you up for success in the legal profession, and support your claims with concrete examples. Law schools look for applicants who are genuinely passionate about law and have a clear understanding of the profession. The last thing they want is students pursuing law for perceived social status or financial gain—those motivations alone are rarely sustainable for a long-term legal career.
I didn’t take the LSAT, so I can’t speak from personal experience. However, from what I’ve heard from others, one of the biggest challenges is managing time effectively, especially when tackling the logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections under strict time constraints.
I had no work experience when I applied to the University of London External LLB program. However, by the time I applied to the Osgoode LLM, I had completed several summer internships at law firms and gained three years of experience as a litigation paralegal. This practical experience played a significant role in my admission to the LLM program.
I was rejected by every law school I applied to for three consecutive years. Through that experience, I learned the importance of perseverance. Rather than giving up, I focused on gaining relevant work and volunteer experience in the legal field to strengthen my application and demonstrate my passion for the profession.
When I practiced law, I specialized in real estate law because my firm trained me in this area. Real estate law typically involves fewer conflicts compared to other practice areas. It is highly systematic, leaving little room for creative writing, and requires strong attention to detail. Be prepared to work extensively with standardized forms and collaborate closely with banks, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
If you're considering a career in real estate law, I recommend connecting with several real estate lawyers to learn more about the day-to-day aspects of the practice. This will help you assess whether the field aligns with your strengths and interests.
Laws are often localized, and practices can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another. That said, I believe that all areas of law have the potential to remain relevant, so I encourage students to pursue what they are truly passionate about.
However, there are certain emerging fields that have gained prominence, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence and growing environmental awareness. These include areas like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) law, privacy law, and technology law, all of which are likely to see continued growth and demand in the coming years.
One of the biggest sacrifices I made was leaving behind the friendships I had built in Hong Kong when I moved back to Toronto to pursue my LLM. However, throughout law school, I forged new and meaningful relationships with classmates and colleagues, many of whom I still stay in touch with to this day.
Having taken the Ontario Bar exams five times, I can confidently say that no amount of money would motivate me to take the LSAT. I’m done with legal exams for good!
Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Irina to help future lawyers understand the challenges and rewards of a legal career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.
