Derek received his Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria (UVic). He volunteered with UVic’s Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) chapter for all three years of school, working on the Trans ID Clinic. He was awarded UVic PBSC’s 2021 Chief Justice Richard Wagner Award to recognize his work on the project. He also competed in the Harold G. Fox intellectual property moot. His time at UVic Law earned Derek a number of academic awards, including the Professor Jim Ellis Memorial Prize in International Business and Cook Roberts Scholarship in Business Associations.

Before joining McCarthy Tétrault, Derek spent a semester working at the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General in the Justice Service Branch as a co-op student. Specifically, he worked in the Policy and Legislative Division.

Prior to entering law school, Derek attended the University of Calgary, where he received a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Bachelor of Science (Ecology). He was awarded the Silver Medallion in Political Science upon graduation, recognizing the highest distinction in scholarship within his program. While attending the University of Calgary, Derek worked as the Opinions and Humour editor for the Gauntlet, the university’s student newspaper.

Outside of the office, Derek enjoys all things music. Specifically, his favourite genres to listen to are synthpop, hyperpop and nu-disco.