Derek summered and articled at Lenczner Slaght, where he gained experience in several practice areas, including employment, intellectual property, professional liability, and commercial matters.

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 Vice President of 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. Recognized for his academic achievements in law school, Derek made the Dean’s Honour List in all three years for finishing in the top 10% of his class, and was awarded Course Prizes in both Employment Law and Legal Skills.

Prior to law school, Derek gained years of experience in the banking and securities industries. He successfully completed his Canadian Securities Course and was licensed with both MFDA and IIROC respectively. He worked as a Financial Advisor at a leading Canadian banking institution where he managed a book of high-net-worth clients. He advised on all aspects of their financial portfolios, including business banking, credit borrowing, and investment planning.

Derek previously graduated from Western University, where he studied Political Science with a minor in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. He subsequently completed his Master’s in Political Studies at Queen’s University, where his research project studied the impact of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission on future truth-telling projects.