Learning is a lifelong journey.
— Nilufer Walimohamed
Nilufer Walimohamed
Lawyer and community advocate
BA ’17, Department of Social Science
JD ’21, Osgoode Hall Law School
LA&PS alumna, Nilufer Walimohamed was named one of York University’s 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, recognized among a distinguished group of young leaders making a meaningful impact around the world. In recognition of her achievement, we connected with Nilufer to better understand how her experience as a Law & Society graduate contributed to where she is today.
How did your degree in Law & Society help get you where you are today?
My degree in Law & Society equipped me with the ability to question the world as we know it - to question the “rules” and norms of everyday life. Both in my professional and personal life, asking questions is a key life skill and I’m grateful to have built that foundation at York.
What career did you dream of pursuing in undergrad, and where did your professional path take you after graduation?
I have wanted to become a lawyer since I was 16 and in high school taking a law class. I came to York with the same aspiration and today, I am humbled to say that I achieved my goal and I am a licensed lawyer in Ontario.
What skills or knowledge from the Law & Society program have been most beneficial in your career?
Again, the ability to question things and articulate questions is key. My day-to-day job involves a lot of fact gathering and probing, so asking questions is like a lifeline in the practice of law. The key is to know when to ask open ended questions and when to hone on something specific.
In what ways have the network and connections you made during your studies helped you in your career?
Your classmates become your colleagues, and your professors become your mentors. It is not a one-stop interaction. I built friendships that I maintain still to this day that also practice law. The funniest “small world” moment that I can remember was in my first year of law school. Professor Jonathan Rudin, who I had taken two courses with during my undergraduate degree at York, ended up being my supervisor for one of the pro bono projects I volunteered with called FASD and the Justice System website refresh.
What advice do you have for first-year Law & Society students?
The world is your oyster. Take the time to gain knowledge from books, from AI (with caution!) and from people. The key is that learning is a lifelong journey.