Derek completed his JD at Queen’s University, Faculty of Law. While in law school, Derek worked as a Student Caseworker at the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic, as VP Finance of the Queen’s Law Students’ Society, and as an Associate Editor of the Queen’s Law Journal. He was also a finalist in the Queen’s Law Litigation Society Moot.

Derek was also recognized for his academic achievements in law school, where he made the Dean’s Honour List in all three years for finishing in the top 10% of his class, and was also awarded Queen’s Law Prizes in both Employment Law and Introduction to Legal Skills.

Prior to law school, Derek gained years of experience in the banking industry, where he worked as a Financial Advisor at a leading Canadian banking and financial services corporation, as well as a Senior Financial Services Representative with a focus on Business Banking. He has also completed his Master’s in Political Studies at Queen’s University, where he studied the implementation of truth-telling projects since the creation of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.