Sonia prefaces her story with, “it’s a weird one”. Typically, the road to becoming a lawyer is quite linear, starting with good grades, law school, passing the bar exam, articling, and alas, lawyering. Sonia’s path had a few more unexpected twists and turns.
Convinced by her high-school peer to go to law school in England, she travelled overseas, obtained her degree and her dream of becoming a lawyer was becoming a reality. Upon returning to Ontario, Sonia completed the equivalency requirements with the National Committee on Accreditation. Her legal career was off to a great start, until she wound up articling at a firm with colleagues where she quickly realized she did not want to be.
Articling
Her first experience immersed in the ‘real world’ cast a dark shadow on her perception of the entire legal industry. Some law firms can have quite toxic environments filled with power imbalances, disrespect, and disregard for others. In fact, what she endured during her time as an Articling Student was so terrible, she said “it ruined my life and distorted my view on law”.
While working to complete the Articling requirement, Sonia got into a car accident, which kept her away from work for two weeks. When she regained her health, she returned to her Articling job. Students often take months off work to study harder than ever for the bar exam. Even though Sonia knew she wasn’t ready to write her exams, she was pressured and manipulated into writing the bar exam against her better judgment, and failed as a result. To make matters worse, she was forced to beg her employer to have her Articling Certificate signed. She immediately quit after he signed it.
Naturally, Sonia took a step back from law to focus on her personal life. She got married and had children. Though, it was not long before Sonia dabbled back into the field of law, only this time, as a Law Clerk.
Clerking
“I like family law. Family law is just innate. I just find it interesting. I like to help people. I like to give the best recommendations I can.” Nearly a decade of experience as a Law Clerk has taught Sonia a lot about client communication and how to navigate the inner workings of a law firm.
Clients are often uncertain about the court processes and procedures, which can be complicated and overwhelming, especially in a time when they don’t know what is going to happen with their marriage, their children, their living situation, or their financial situation.
“When you don’t know what’s going on, you want to know that your lawyer does.” When life seems out of control, it is critical for our clients to feel like they are in good hands. Sonia empowers her clients by clearly presenting legal information in a way that makes sense. The client can start to paint a picture as to what life could look like to move forward.
Working with a legal team you trust can make all the difference in reducing negative aspects that often surround divorce including stress, anxiety, fear, loss of identity, lack of control and instability. Sonia has a natural ability to connect with people. She’ll tell you, “It’s the Italian in me”. Wherever it comes from, her zest for life, passion, and empathy are apparent and contagious.
Joining RIA
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while Sonia was on parental leave, the stars began to align for her. She applied to join the team at RIA, was interviewed the next day, and received a job offer the next day. “This firm, like RIA, it changed my life because I was so hesitant with law generally.”
She had worked at a couple other firms here and there, but nothing quite like RIA. “This firm is amazing, and it just lit my bulb and made me realize how much I enjoy law, family law, learning and problem solving.” Since starting at RIA, she had never in her life been so happy. A complete one-eighty from her first firm, Sonia now has the foundation she needs to achieve success.
The Bar Exam
The licensing process was on hold at the Law Society of Ontario. Sonia undoubtedly knew she was “not going to not” write and pass the bar exam one day. There was no immediate action plan in sight, until she received an email from the LSO informing her that a deadline was quickly approaching. She had to successfully complete her bar exams before a specific date. Like a driver’s license, or a statute of limitations, there was indeed a clock that slowly started ticking. This deadline lit a fire under Sonia. The time had come to complete her licensing process.
“When I was re-studying [for the bar], I was realizing how much I enjoy law.” Fuelled by positive energy from her colleagues, Sonia was feeling relaxed and confident while writing the exam this time around.
She credits passing the bar exam to the support received from her new team at RIA. The encouragement from fellow professionals in her industry who believed in her and fearlessly rooted for her truly helped her to succeed.
Family Matters
Her family and friends were pleased to hear Sonia’s good news, finally. They showered her with congratulations. After becoming a parent of two, it became clear to Sonia that “children are number one.”
In Canada, family lawyers are legally required by legislation to consider the best interests of the child. This comes easily to Sonia after years of working with parents on family law matters, and through the lens of being a parent herself.
“They [children] don’t know what’s going on. Things are just different, and they don’t understand why.” Parents stop sleeping in the same bed, start arguing more, struggle to show up as a unit, and the children absorb this. As an Associate Lawyer, Sonia helps her clients determine what is best for their children. This comes into play when solidifying parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, child support and more. “We can deal with all the little things after that,” she confirms.
“I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I don’t know why. You know when you have that instinct, that feeling? I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve always had that as a little kid. I’ve been drawn to certain things all my life. So, this is something that I’ve always been drawn to. Something was telling me: Go in this direction.”
Sonia’s path to becoming a lawyer was not linear, and neither is family law. Most couples don’t intend on separating when vowing eternal commitment. The road can sometimes lead to unexpected turns that result in brighter and better views in the end.
Learn More
Visit Sonia Riccelli‘s biography to learn more about her position at RIA.
