When Peter A. Allard School of Law alum and UBC Student Ombudsman Shirley Nakata started law school at UBC in 1985, there was a notable lack of diversity in Canadian law schools, law firms and the courts.
Since then, many Canadian law schools have made progress in increasing diversity, but a sense of community and belonging can’t be taken for granted.
Today, Nakata is on the advisory committee of the Allard School of Law’s IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program. Launched in the summer of 2024, the program brings together incoming first-year students from persistently, historically and systemically marginalized groups and allies, with the aim of supporting students and building connections from day one.
Before launching the program, Kaila Mikkelsen, Allard Law’s Assistant Dean, Students, often met with law students who felt isolated and questioned whether they belonged in law school or the legal profession.
“My main goal in developing the program was to enhance a sense of belonging among students from populations that we know have struggled to feel like they belong in law school,” says Mikkelsen. “We wanted IDEA Leaders students to know they belong and to ensure they feel welcomed, supported and ready for their first year.”
While similar pre-orientation programs had previously been held at several U.S. law schools, the IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program was the first of its kind in Canada. In the program’s first year, twenty-two students came together over three days at the end of August.
“I would have loved an opportunity to join a small community of first-year students with whom I could walk the journey of the law school without having to explain or justify what it felt like to be a racialized, immigrant woman in a predominantly white student population,” says Nakata, adding that when she was a law student, it wasn’t easy to find the confidence to talk about these experiences.
Nakata says she jumped at the chance to join the program’s advisory board: “It’s critical for students to have the opportunity to share stories and hear from others who have navigated similar challenges.”
You don’t know what you don’t know
First-year law student Adhithya Krishnan was among the first cohort of students who applied to the program.
“It was quite daunting to come to law school all the way from Ontario since there are so many preconceived notions about the field online,” says Krishnan. “I was very nervous.”
One of the themes of the program was you don't know what you don't know – and it's okay to ask.
“You’re entering a new environment where there's significant information asymmetry as to how law school operates and what your expectations are,” adds Krishnan, which makes hearing from students who had already navigated the same terrain all the more valuable.
Through workshops and panels with first-generation lawyers and students who have been in similar positions, Krishnan says the program addressed his fears and provided a soft landing “compared to the larger orientation, where you can feel a bit lost and your specific concerns are unaddressed.”
“They walked us through the exact intricacies of law school – what to expect and how to best prepare ourselves,” Krishnan adds.
Gurman Dhaliwal, a second-year law student at Allard and last year’s student coordinator for the program, says many students he spoke with signed up to the IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program largely for the opportunity to ask questions in a judgment-free environment.
“Law school is great, but there are a lot of rumours about what you need to do to succeed,” says Dhaliwal. “The most important outcome of the program was providing that reassurance that we all know we belong here and that we have the same potential to achieve as anyone else.”
Building confidence and a sense of belonging
Over the course of the weekend, students came together for panels and workshops with professors, upper-year students and practising lawyers. One of the most popular panels featured representatives from equity-deserving affinity associations, such as the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.
“Students really appreciated getting to speak with lawyers who look like them,” says Dhaliwal. “During that panel, the students all got on their phones to join these groups,” adding that it was “amazing to see” students making these connections so early on.
Allard Law alum and PhD student Maira Hassan, a speaker on the Diversity at Allard Law panel, says her goal was to convince students of their own power, the importance of diversity and the value that their unique perspectives bring to law school and to society as a whole.
“The topic of race or diversity is often taboo, particularly at law schools,” notes Hassan, which she says makes the IDEA Leaders Program a critical part of ensuring students who face systemic barriers have a real and equal chance for success.
Ongoing structured support
Providing a warm introduction to law school and building community were key goals of the program, says Mio Tomisawa, Senior Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office at Allard Law. But setting students up for future success was just as important. “Our goal was for the program to translate to competencies, confidence and all the skills necessary for students to have success beyond law school and to become leaders in whatever they choose to do,” she says.
Once the school year began, IDEA Leaders students were offered workshops and events to help them navigate their first year, with a focus on academic and career planning, as well as informal events aimed at strengthening connections between students.
“The best part about this program is having a community of amazing peers and mentors who have been consistently supportive and invested in each other’s growth,” says IDEA Leaders student Ariel Moon. “This program gives you both the tools and the community to turn to when challenges arise.”
Moon says the program has helped shape how she approaches law school, giving her the motivation to stay “collaborative and engaged” throughout the school year.
With participants now wrapping up their first year, Dhaliwal says he believes the program has made a noticeable difference, giving participants the confidence to take on leadership roles at the law school without hesitation. That was a stark contrast to his own first-year experience. “I think a lot of first-year law students felt really lost,” he adds. “We just walked straight in on the first day of orientation without having these important conversations.”
Alumni supporters like Nakata have likewise found the experience fulfilling. “It’s so rewarding to work with and for the next generation of law students who have the potential to change the world for the better,” says Nakata. “I would encourage any alumni to get involved with this program and other opportunities to volunteer with Allard to get inspired, share your knowledge and connections, and take part in the continuing evolution of the legal education system and profession.”
How students and alumni can get involved
Building on last year’s success, this second year of the IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program takes place at Allard Hall from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2025. Accepted law students are invited to apply by June 1.
Alumni support is critical to the IDEA Leaders program, and alumni are invited to get involved as speakers and through informal mentorship opportunities throughout the school year. To learn more, please contact Mio Tomisawa, Senior Manager, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
