CALGARY LAWYER CHARLES OSUJI is the recipient of the 2021 TOP 25 DEI PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD BY CANADIAN MULTICULTURAL GROUP
In 2011, Dr. Charles Osuji (Hon. D.) uprooted himself — and his developing legal career — to move to Calgary from Nigeria. An internationally trained lawyer, he came to Canada knowing he’d have to become re-accredited and develop a new network of personal and professional colleagues — but Osuji wasn’t daunted by these challenges. He joined what is now Osuji & Smith Lawyers in 2013 as an articling student, was called to the Alberta Bar in 2014, became a partner at the firm in 2016 and then, at the age of 31, made another bold move: he became sole owner of the firm. At an age when most lawyers are still preoccupied with learning their craft, Osuji stands at the helm of a thriving and fast-rising small-sized law firm as managing partner and CEO.
Osuji was recently named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers; was recognized in both Canada and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 Award categories; won the Immigrant of Distinction — Achievement Under 35 Award from Immigrant Services Calgary; was recently recognized, and voted by his fellow lawyers across Canada, in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2022, for his outstanding professional excellence in private practice. He recently won the Avenue Calgary Top 40 under 40, and Lexpert Rising Star Award (leading lawyers under 40 in Canada) and was a nominee for the Canadian Bar Association’s 2020 Douglas Miller Rising Star Award.
Osuji & Smith covers a number of areas of law including personal injury, immigration, civil litigation, business, wills and estate, real estate, family, and employment and labour. Clients, which represent a cross-section of Alberta businesses and individuals, benefit from the firm’s multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives, and Osuji’s willingness to provide these different perspectives set his firm apart in the Calgary market. He strives to bring an entrepreneurial, multi-cultural and holistic approach to the practice of law. This diversity of legal, financial and lived experiences has been the cornerstone of growth for the firm. The innovation is simple: trust that the professionals you hire will bring to the table the same skills they brought in their previous professional lives and the firm will prosper. The diverse, multilingual staff at Osuji & Smith speaks English, Igbo, Bengali, Edo, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi and Urdu.
Osuji is dedicated to providing mentoring and leadership for his staff and is also “a volunteer extraordinaire.” He plays the piano at his church, provides pro bono work such as with E-Fry and legal clinics and is a mentor for other newcomer professionals through the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council, where he participates in workshops and panel conversations as well as serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary.
“Despite his fast and furious rise in the Canadian legal community, Osuji remains humble, genuine and kind. His unique combination of high intellect, tireless work ethic and business acumen fuels this rising star, but Osuji remains grounded by his role as a model citizen for all young professionals.” – The Canadian Multicultural Group
