Life after the FTLP: Daniela Rojas

Navigating the transition into Canada’s legal profession involves more than learning a new legal system; it also means finding community. Through the University of Calgary Faculty of Law’s Foreign Trained Lawyers Program (FTLP), Daniela Rojas gained the tools, mentorship, and support that shaped her journey.

Originally from Costa Rica, Rojas earned her law degree from the University of Costa Rica in 2006 and practiced law for five years before moving to Canada with her husband. When her children entered school, she was inspired by the diversity in their Canadian classrooms, later deciding to settle permanently in Canada, pursue her legal career, and begin the FTLP in 2022.

According to Rojas, starting her legal career in Canada was one of the most vulnerable stages in her life, but the FTLP fostered a sense of belonging. 

“Rebuilding a professional identity does not happen alone. For me, it happened through grit, resiliency, commitment, community, and the relationships that will continue to shape my career,” she said.

Rojas credits Kellinde Wrightson, the FTLP’s Executive Director, and Madeleine Natale, the program’s Assistant Director, for playing meaningful roles in her journey with their encouragement and mentorship. 

“Kellinde and Madeleine walk the extra mile for you; they go beyond what is expected to support students,” she said.

Though life after the FTLP was not easy, Rojas’ path became clearer over time, and she considers the FTLP as a stepping stone that enabled her to be called to the bar in April of 2026.

“The FTLP was not the finish line of my journey; it was a bridge between being a lawyer trained abroad and finding my place within the Canadian legal profession,” she said. “Being called to the bar in Alberta represented the culmination of a long professional journey. It brought together my legal experience and knowledge from Costa Rica with my work and training in Canada, providing a deep sense of validation and professional accomplishment.”

According to Rojas, for foreign-trained lawyers, the journey of learning, adapting, and growing continues long after they are licensed. She also considers foreign-trained lawyers’ resilience, lived experiences, and legal knowledge make them valuable members of the profession.

Beyond the professional skills Rojas gained through the FTLP, she left the program with a stronger sense of responsibility to foreign-trained lawyers. 

“The program showed me that success isn’t just about advancing personally; it’s also about creating opportunities, mentorship, and support for others navigating the same journey,” she said.

Rojas joined TPW Family Law LLP in 2025, focusing on advocacy, mediation, access to justice, and family law. Through the firm’s collaboration with the FTLP, its partners supported initiatives that fostered connection among internationally trained lawyers. Going forward, Rojas hopes to continue collaborating with TPW Family Law LLP on these initiatives.

Today, Rojas is transitioning to an in-house counsel role at the University of Calgary. In this role, and upon returning to the university, she hopes to continue to support the FTLP and its students as they begin their journey to becoming lawyers in Canada.

To learn more about the Foreign Trained Lawyers Program and how it can help shape your journey to practicing in Canada, visit our website.