Eva Derhy: Today’s Notable Young Professional

Today’s Notable Young Professional is Eva Derhy, who currently practices in the fields of business law, civil law, labour law, litigation, conflict resolution, intellectual property, a bit of tax law, and a bit of health law at a small firm she joined right after writing her bar exam. What was the inspiration for her career route? Find out in today’s profile…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m a lawyer and managing partner at a small firm that I joined right after writing my bar exam. I’ve been practicing for about four years now in the field of business law, civil, labour, litigation, conflict resolution, intellectual property, a bit of tax law, a bit of health law. I’m also accredited as a trademark agent and a mediator.

Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I had met one of the lawyers when I was a student and saw a great career opportunity where I found the perfect balance between growth opportunity, great visibility and confidence, quick and extensive learning, great people, quality clients, good resources and lots of room for creativity and independence.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
What I love about my day-to-day is that no days are alike! It varies every single day as I touch so many different fields of law, and my work will depend on the client and the industry of the client. What I love even more is that I get to manage my own business, which helps me advise my clients even better. The most challenging part, I’d say, is realizing it’s already 5 o’clock and I still have so much to do!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still at my firm, but in larger premises. We expect growth and I hope to have more employees working for me and have more partners that cover different fields of law. 

What does success look like to you?
Being happy and making people happy around me, and not only at work! Success to me is to have a great balance in every aspect in our lives.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career? 
I must say that getting my name on that door was a great feeling, it happened way earlier than expected. I cannot deny the fact that it gave me more credibility despite my young age and petite appearance! Although the best gratification I get in my career is to see my clients happy.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Being at the right place at the right time is definitely a reality, but I believe that the world offers infinite possibilities and that there’s work for everyone who’s willing to work, willing to use their creativity, and who’s not scared of taking risks. So take the leap!

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’ve always been involved with my communities, whether in school, in my community, in politics, in my profession. I’ve been personally involved with executive committees of the Combined Jewish Appeal (YAD), Jewish Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee, Quebec-Israel Committee, Hillel (President of Jewish student association in university), Jewish Law Student Association, and the Lords Reading Society. I’ve been selected to join a leadership program serving the Sephardic Community of Quebec.

As you can see, very involved with community because it is important for me to value and protect our identity, our culture and our beliefs. It is important to give support to those in need. Involvement, to whatever cause, creates a network, builds relationships, and helps develop and strengthen skills needed in our daily lives, whether professional or personal.

I’ve also been involved with associations more related to my profession: Young Bar Association of Montreal (for which I was referred to as a “Leader de demain”), and I’ve been solicited today actually to join an Equality Committee of the executive committee of the Canadian Bar Association (to which I intend to say yes). 

In a province and country where diversity is number one, I find it important that values important to each individual that creates them as human beings are being recognized, adapted and accepted by others. As cheesy as it sounds, what is important to me in my involvement is to make this world a better place, and every little change and help a person can give makes a difference.    

What to you is notable?
Having an impact on people’s lives is notable.

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone. 

Cover Image by: Ben Meir Ohayon Photography/Photographer