A strong voice for a competent, just, accountable, and ethical LSO

I want to create a law society that focuses on helping you provide competent, ethical legal services to your clients. To that end, I joined the FullStop Team with a proven record in effectively reducing LSO fees while providing value, protecting freedoms, regulating competence, and reducing overregulation.                               

My priorities are to ensure a competent and ethical legal profession through relevant licensing and CPD programs, improving access to justice, protecting freedoms, supporting diversity, and providing you value for your LSO fees. 

I understand the LSO:

As a former LSO employee, I understand the LSO both from a regulatory and member’s perspective.

I support access to justice:

Having volunteered at four legal clinics, attended legal aid conferences to network with clinics executives, and as a Steering Committee member creating a new clinic in Ontario, I understand the needs of legal clinics.  I aspire to improve By-Law 7 to support legal clinics and other Civil Society Organizations while ensuring effective regulation.

I support a relevant lawyer licensing process:

Having received legal education in Canada and abroad and participated in the LSO Dialogue on Licensing, I understand the legal education and licensing process in Ontario and other jurisdictions.  With my expected degree in education, I aspire to improve our licensing and CPD programs.

I will keep the LSO accountable:

My business and accounting education along with my auditing and board experience will help me keep the LSO accountable and advocate value for your money.

I support freedoms and diversity:

As an ethnic minority and member of the Markham Race Relations Committee, I am committed to diversity and ensuring that fundamental freedoms enshrined in our Charter are protected.

I am committed to LSO maintaining professional and ethical standards which will build a good reputation for our profession:

My experience in advocating for high academic standards and relevant policies on a law faculty board and university senate, along with adjudicating on two academic discipline committees will guide me in this endeavour.

Work Experience:

Associate, Metcalfe, Blainey & Burns LLP

Student-at-Law, Metcalfe, Blainey & Burns LLP

Legal Research Assistant, Canadian Council of Christian Charities (Legal Affairs Department)

Summer Student, The Law Society of Upper Canada

Marketing Research Analyst, Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford Campus)

University 102 Co-Facilitator, Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford Campus)

Teaching Assistant, Ryerson University (Ted Rogers School of Management)

Internal Audit Team Member, London Life Insurance Company (Internal Audit)

Research Analyst, Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal

Summer Employment Officer, Service Canada (Service Canada Centre for Youth)

Education/Professional Qualification:

Bachelor of Education (in Adult Education), Brock University, expected June 2023

Certificate in Ethics, Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson University)

Barrister & Solicitor, The Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario)

Juris Doctor, University of New Brunswick

Master of Laws (LLM in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution), The University of Hong Kong

Bachelor of Laws, 2:1 Honours, Queen Mary, University of London

Diploma in Accounting (post-degree), with distinction, The University of Western Ontario

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op, Accounting, Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Markville Secondary School

Relevant Certificates from the Ontario Bar Association:

Adjudicative Tribunal Competency Series Certificate of Completion, Ontario Bar Association, 2021

Foundations in Judicial Competencies Series Certificate of Completion, Ontario Bar Association, 2020

Current/Previous volunteer experience:

Board Member, Markham Public Library Board

Race Relations Committee Member, City of Markham

Founder and Co-organizer, Christmas Once Again (A Christmas program for the homeless, since 2007)

Member of the Senate (and committees) of the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton campus)

Student Legal Information Centre, University of New Brunswick

Member of the Board of the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong

Course Representative, Queen Mary, University of London

Career Events Director, Queen Mary Law Society

Student Advisor, Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre

Victim Response Volunteer, Victim Services of York Region

Volunteer, Legal Resources (Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union)

Internal Vice President/Activities Coordinator, WLU Chinese Students’ Association

Professional Memberships:

Christian Legal Fellowship / Christian Legal Society

Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers

Ontario Bar Association /  Canadian Bar Association

Runnymede Society

York Region Law Association

Here is what others have to say:

“Edward Choi is an honest and hardworking lawyer who has a lot of common sense.  His qualities are needed right now in ensuring the Law Society of Ontario reaches its potential in carrying out its mandate to act in the public interest by ensuring that lawyers are competent.”  – Barry W. Bussey, Barrister & Solicitor, Bussey Ainsworth, Peterborough, Ontario

“Edward is a hardworking, loving, and caring person who always want to work for a better future for the community. Edward has practiced civil litigation for over 5 years and has been an excellent advocate.  Vote Edward Choi.” – Sammy Lee, Barrister & Solicitor, Partner, Metcalfe, Blainey & Burns LLP, Markham, Ontario

“Combined with his excellent legal skills, Edward’s evidently strong moral compass , passion for service and perseverance make him stand out from many others. Edward is one who turns his aspirations into actions, and achieves results through his hard work. All in all, we can count on Edward for bettering governance of our profession and the LSO itself once he is elected as an LSO bencher.  Let our choice speak for us. Vote Edward Choi.” – Pauline Leung, Barrister & Solicitor, PL Law Office, Richmond Hill, Ontario

“I am excited to endorse my friend and colleague, Edward Choi, in this upcoming bencher election. I’ve learned from his humbleness, kindness and advocacy. I’m voting for Edward!” – Mariam Gigi, Lawyer, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, Toronto, Ontario

“It would be a mere understatement that Edward Choi exemplifies the character and qualifications called for by Law Society benchers to govern, oversee and gatekeep professional standards required of lawyers. Having worked with Edward through his volunteering for CCM Toronto Centre Legal Clinic since 2021, I strongly attest to Edward’s all-time, 24/7 commitment to, through his legal practice and involvement in a number of community services and organizations, uphold and advance, whenever possible, fundamental and foundational values underlying the legal system and public justice in Canada. As well, I personally witness, through Edward’s discourse, both orally and in writing, whether in casual or professional settings, his true respect for every person, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Edward’s relentless spirit of pursuing betterness for the society and fairness among adversaries places him above any member of the Bar with matching legal practice experience and comparable level of mastering legal ethics.” – Teresa Chan, Barrister & Solicitor, Legal Clinic Director, CCM Canada, Markham, Ontario

Together, we will create a just, competent, ethical legal profession and a law society that is accountable to you and the public of Ontario.

Vote Edward Choi and the FullStop Team:  https://fullstoplso.ca/candidate-profiles/edward-choi/

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31: 8-9

“Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly” – Micah 6:8