A HEADLINE PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY December 1 - 15 , 2016
The ReyFort Media Group congratulates Giovanni Mata , who took his oath as a lawyer on December 9 , 2016 .
Mata signed the barristers and solicitors roll in ceremonies held at the B . C . Supreme Court in Vancouver .
Mata , who arrived in Canada in 2012 from the Philippines , where he practised law for 10 years , is currently an associate lawyer with the Equity Law Group in Vancouver .
Mata articled with the Equity Law Group before he was called to the Bar .
According to the law firm , prior to joining the firm as an articling student , Mata headed his immigration consulting office as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant ( RCIC ), with specialization in immigration litigation and appeals , inadmissibility proceedings , business immigration , LMIA ( labour market impact assessment ) applications , work permit for NAFTA ( North American Free Trade Agreement )
Giovanni Mata Takes Oath as Lawyer in Canada
professionals , temporary and permanent residency applications .
Mata remains in good standing as member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines .
In the Philippines , Mata specialized in litigation , appeals , immigration and business law . Here in Canada , Mata ’ s practice covers immigration law , ICBC personal injury , family law and litigation .
Shortly after Mata arrived in 2012 , he took Immigration Consultancy program at Ashton College and later obtained his license as an Immigration Consultant . He became an active member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council ( ICCRC ) and Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants ( CAPIC ). In November 2012 , Mata started his own immigration consultancy practice .
In 2013 , Mata had his law credentials assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation ( NCA ) – Federation of the Law Societies of Canada , wherein he was required to write eight law exams to get his Certificate of Qualification . Mata wrote his first exam in August 2013 .
In 2014 , Mata enrolled in Ashton College ’ s International Trade program as a recipient of that year ’ s Lilian To bursary . After obtaining his diploma in international trade , he worked as Customs Broker with UPS and later certified as an International Trade Professional ( CITP ®| FIBP ®). The CITP ®| FIBP ® designation is the world ’ s leading professional designation for global business practitioners in Canada , USA , and Europe , and endorsed by the World Trade Centers Association and the Canadian government .
In October 2015 , he completed all his NCA exams and got his Certificate of Qualification , a confirmation that his legal education and
training is comparable to the one approved by a faculty of law in Canada .
Next was to article as a law student for nine months , and then , write the barristers and solicitor ’ s exams .
In a write-up by Ashton College in Vancouver , where he was previously a scholar in its international trade program , Mata recalled that when he arrived in Canada , he realized that getting qualified as a lawyer would be “ quite tough ”.
“ So I set a short-term goal of completing the Immigration Consultant program ,” said Mata , who completed the immigration consultant diploma program at Ashton .
When asked if he has any advice for newcomers , Mata said in the Ashton College write-up : “ Pursue your dreams . Don ’ t lose hope . Decide what you want to be . Set a goal , set a plan and take a step .”
“ If I didn ’ t have a positive attitude , I would have given up a long time ago . But you know , my kids and my wife are my motivation . I want to be an inspiration , not only for them , but for all of the Filipinos here . Because really , we know that being an immigrant is so hard . You cannot get the job you really want unless you upgrade .”
Outside his work , Mata is active in his church and civic organizations . He is an active member of the Couples for Christ ( CFC ). He heads the Family Ministries of CFC – North Vancouver Chapter and is the Migrant Ministry coordinator for Holy Trinity Church in North Vancouver . He is involved in various Filipino organizations here in British Columbia and is also advocating for the protection of temporary foreign workers in Canada . He is a member of a fraternal organization called Freemasons and will be installed as the Worshipful Master of Keystone-Lions ’ Gate Lodge 115 of the Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon this January 2017 .
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