Get to Know Professor Vincent Chiao

What led you to Richmond Law?

I had been at Toronto for over 10 years and was looking to make a change. The position at UR opened up, and the combination of Jepson and Law was very appealing, so I applied. Plus, the weather in Toronto can leave something to be desired.

How would you describe your career path to this point?

I’ve had a pretty conventional academic career, I would say. I was fortunate to be part of a great faculty at the start of my career which really helped. I was also lucky to quickly find a group of academics at other law schools who were just getting started out and shared my interests. We met regularly, and still do even now 10 years later. That was really great, and I highly recommend finding a small and supportive peer group if you can.

What advice would you give to current students?

Going on prior experience, I think students sometimes get a little hung up on choosing the “right” courses for their preferred career path. I think it’s probably best to take a few classes on topics that you don’t know much about; and maybe a clinic or two. But otherwise I wouldn’t sweat it too much and just take whatever you are interested in.

What career advice would you give to graduating students?

Absorb as much as you can from the other lawyers around you. Watch what they do and try to figure out why they are doing it.