| Job Title: | Managing Director |
| Employer: | The Commons Institute |
| Grad Year: | 1995 |
| Degree(s): | B.A. |
| Major(s): | Law (BA) |
| Expertise: | Law |
| Industry: | Law |
What makes you a good mentor?
I was once a student myself, with a great deal of determination but also a lot of questions about available options. Having gone through much of what I had questions about, it is highly fulfilling to contribute to the success of students, and in so doing, to emulate the mentors who assisted in my scholastic and professional development.
About Jide Afolabi
Jide Afolabi received his Bachelor of Arts (Highest Honours) in Law and Political Science from Carleton University in 1995, three short years after immigrating to Canada from Nigeria, and his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) in 1998. Subsequent to articling on Bay Street in Toronto, Jide was called to the Ontario bar in 2000. Jide worked at Magna International Inc. and at Carswell Inc. before heading to the United Kingdom to attend the London School of Economics (LSE), where he received his master of laws degree in 2003.
After his time at the LSE, Jide worked at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal as Counsel, as well as at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. At the latter government department, Jide initially served as an implementation negotiator, then as a fiscal negotiator, and finally as a chief federal negotiator.
Highly skilled as both a lawyer and a negotiator, and adept at delivering clear and innovative solutions as well as sound advice, Jide’s breadth of experience covers corporate, tribunal, governmental and Aboriginal matters.
In 2012, Jide left Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to start The Commons Institute, now a provider of Continuing Legal Education to lawyers across Canada.
Jide is a recipient of numerous academic awards, including the 1997 Magna for Canada scholarship award. He has served on the boards of community organizations. He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario).