For Shania Francis, studying law was never just about building a career. It was about helping people.Shania faced major challenges growing up, and would come to Canada as a refugee from Trinidad. But those experiences would eventually shape the path that led her to Centennial College, a career in law, and a passion for helping others navigate difficult moments in their own lives.
Today, Shania is a licensed paralegal in Ontario, a university student, and the founder of Iron Gavel Advocacy. But before any of that, she was a student in Centennial College’s Paralegal program, looking for a way to turn her passion for helping people into a meaningful legal career. Here’s how it all started.
Why Shania Chose Centennial College’s Paralegal Program
“I think that my background gives me a very unique perspective, especially in the legal field that I am in now,” Shania says about her early life in Trinidad, and how it helped her understand the barriers people face when navigating legal systems. “I understand firsthand how the legal system can feel for vulnerable people, because I was one of those people.”
Shania first came to Centennial College through the Office Administration – Legal program, where she balanced school with personal challenges, and discovered her interest in the legal field. During her studies, Shania completed a placement at a real estate law office that helped shape her next steps.
“That's when I decided I wanted to further my education,” she explains, “because it really enforced my love for the law.” That experience ultimately led her back to Centennial.
“Part of the reason I wanted to do that,” she explains, “is because with the Legal Admin program, you are helping people, but it's not as hands-on in its approach. You're more in a role of support. I wanted a program where I was still connected to the law, but I wanted to be able to do more.”
Learning Practical Skills in Centennial’s Paralegal Diploma Program
For students interested in studying law in the Greater Toronto Area, Centennial College’s Paralegal program offers hands-on legal training and leadership opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. The program combines legal theory with practical training in advocacy, tribunal procedures, legal research, drafting, and mock trials, something that stood out immediately to Shania.
“I'm really glad that I did it, because it really did emphasize advocacy,” she says. “We had tribunal procedures, as well as the actual, practical, skills-based learning opportunity to do a mock trial.”
Alongside those practical experiences, students also had opportunities to see how legal systems work outside the classroom.
“It's one thing to sit in a classroom and listen to the theory,” Shania says, “but to actually go to court and see how legal professionals are interacting with judges and the other staff.”
For Shania, one of the biggest strengths of the program was how directly it connected classroom learning to real-world legal practice.
“What I really appreciated about the program as well is that everything that we learned in the classroom are things that we're going to be doing as a licensed Paralegal,” she says.
Leadership Opportunities for Paralegal Students at Centennial College
Shania’s Centennial experience went far beyond coursework. She says the program helped her develop and refine her professional communication, advocacy, and leadership skills. Outside the classroom, Shania also stepped into student leadership for the first time, eventually becoming president of the Centennial Law Association. Now that she’s enrolled at Ontario Tech, she’s the President of the Ontario Tech Law Association there, too!
“Centennial really taught me how to step into professional spaces with credibility,” she says, encouraging her fellow students to take advantage of similar leadership opportunities while they are in school.
“A lot of people are often intimidated to take on leadership roles,” she admits. “But I encourage it, because it can be very rewarding.” Among those rewards are valuable professional connections.
“It really enhances your experience as a student to be able to go to an event, or to be able to have an opportunity where you can interact with legal professionals, and build that connection while you're still in school,” she says. “That's only going to help you in your career.”
Creating Dress for Success
During her time at Centennial, Shania also launched an initiative aimed at helping fellow students prepare for placements and professional opportunities. Called Dress for Success, the initiative provided free professional clothing to students facing financial barriers. Shania knew some students could not afford professional clothing for placements and interviews, and wanted to help remove that barrier.
“You never know if there's someone that may be facing financial barriers,” she says. “So, I wanted to help reduce that barrier, allow students to feel not only prepared, but confident when entering those professional environments.”
What started as a small initiative quickly grew into something much larger, thanks to the support received from the college’s faculty, staff and surrounding community.
“It turned out much larger than I had initially anticipated,” she says. “It was supposed to run for one week. It ended up having to run for two weeks instead, because of the amount of clothing and support that we received from the neighbourhood, from the community, but also from our professors.”The initiative also reflected Shania’s approach to supporting students with dignity and privacy.
“The way that we did it was you were able to book a time slot,” she said. “You could take what you want, everything was completely free, and there was a little bit of a buffer before the next person's appointment. The reason I did it that way is because I know that sometimes when you're facing financial barriers, you don't want everyone to know.”
Recognition for Leadership
Shania’s leadership work did not go unnoticed. During her time with the Centennial Law Association, received three awards at Club Appreciation Night, including Club of the Year, the Academic Excellence Award, and the Professionalism Award.
“They were all very meaningful,” Shania says, “and they hold a lot of weight, because we put a lot of effort and time into the Club.”
She considers the Professionalism Award particularly meaningful, because it reflected the team’s ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism while supporting students, and organizing complex initiatives like Dress for Success.
“To be able to still be recognized as professional, even when navigating those hurdles, I think that is very meaningful,” she says.
From Centennial College Student to Licensed Paralegal in Ontario
After graduation, Shania wasted no time taking the next step in her career.
“I knew that I wanted to get my license in the very next cohort,” she says. That determination paid off, and she quickly completed the process to become a licensed Paralegal in Ontario. Alongside continuing her education, Shania also gives back to the legal community.
“Now that I'm licensed, I try to give back to the next generation of upcoming legal professionals,” she says. “So, I judge at moot competitions and mock trials, and I host professional development opportunities, to support the next generation of legal professionals.”
Building Iron Gavel Advocacy
Shania’s commitment to helping others also inspired her newest venture: Iron Gavel Advocacy, a legal education and professional development organization.
“I think a big part of why I wanted to create it was just identifying unmet needs,” Shania says. Iron Gavel Advocacy focuses on mentorship, legal education, professional development, and helping legal professionals, students, and those interested in entering the legal field build stronger professional connections.
“Our slogan is confidence, competence, and connection,” Shania explains. “My goal is to create opportunities, mentorship, resources, and connections for students and legal professionals.” Through accredited professional development sessions, networking events, and panels featuring judges and legal professionals, Shania works to make legal education and professional development more accessible for students and professionals alike.
“Everything I do is always about access to justice,” she says. “So, I try to make our programming very accessible for everyone.”
“This is just the beginning,” she adds.
Advice for Future Paralegal Students
For anyone considering a legal career, Shania says confidence can sometimes be one of the biggest hurdles.
“Sometimes the imposter syndrome will kick in and set in,” she explains, adding that it’s a common challenge students might encounter in any professional environment. “That voice in your head that tells you that you can't do things, or that you don't belong here, don't let that define you.” Instead, she encourages students to find mentors, take chances, and trust their own resilience, along with recognizing the value of bringing a unique perspective into the legal profession.
“I would also say seek mentorship, and embrace opportunities, even if you don't feel like you're fully ready,” she says. “Remember that your uniqueness is what makes you special,”
For Shania, Centennial College’s Paralegal program provided more than classroom learning. It gave her practical legal experience, leadership opportunities, and the foundation to begin a career as a licensed paralegal while continuing her legal education. More importantly, it played a major role in helping her discover her purpose.
“I'm really appreciative of Centennial,” she says. “It really opened up my eyes to my love for the law and how much the law can help people. So, I'm really glad that I did the Paralegal program. Honestly, it ignited my passion for the law. It was the foundation for my legal education, advocacy work, and commitment to access to justice.”
By Anthony Geremia