Bowman and Brooke is proud to announce that Jeffrey T. Gorcyca, co-managing partner of the firm's Detroit office, is now licensed to practice law in Canada. Jeff was recently sworn in as a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor by The Law Society of Upper Canada, the governing body for the Ontario Bar.
Jeff's admittance to the bar in Canada was an arduous two-year process. In 2013 and 2014, he sat for and passed a total of four qualification examinations, the equivalent of law school finals. The separate, three and one-half hour essay tests were required to prove that as a U.S. licensed lawyer, Jeff was qualified to sit for the barrister and solicitor bar examinations. Upon receiving his Certificate of Qualification in February, Jeff passed both the Canadian Barrister and Solicitor bar examinations—two separate seven-hour assessments—in March this year.
When asked why he embarked on the two-year commitment that included countless hours of study, preparation, and a highly-formal convocation ceremony, Jeff said, "I've always had an interest in international law. In fact, my undergraduate degree is in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. During my more than 20 years of practice in the U.S., I acquired invaluable knowledge of my clients' businesses, their cultures and litigation strategies. Now, I have expanded the geographical scope of the services I can provide to those clients; and defend their interests not only in the United States, but also Canada. I have been fortunate to experience cross-border litigation through interactions with Canadian lawyers, and it has always piqued my interest. Becoming licensed in Canada allows me to engage more fully in an international practice that is perfectly matched to my experience, background and proximity to the Canadian border."
With his admittance as a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor, Jeff becomes the third Bowman and Brooke attorney admitted in Canada, further expanding the firm's ability to represent clients at trial in Canadian courts.