Ricky Tang

I am a lawyer with the Canadian Department of Justice with eight years of experience in the field of international law. I also have a Masters of Law at New York University and have experience at the International Monetary Fund providing technical assistance to developing countries. I am seeking an international opportunity to consult and assist with developing the rule of law and methodologies for capacity building for developing countries.

My interest in international humanitarian law started at law school. I became interested in the rights of people who were not able to help themselves and was drawn towards my law school’s Legal Aid program where I was accepted as a full time summer case worker and group leader. Reflecting my interest in this area of law and my good grasp of the concepts, I was awarded the John Walton Scholarship in Public Law and the Fasken Martineau DuMoulin Prize in Administrative Law. During my last year at law school, I chose to study abroad at the University of Hong Kong where I concentrated on international human rights, such as “Human Rights: History, Theory and Politics” and “International and Regional Protection of Human Rights”. My law school career culminated
with the Red Cross Moot where I debated the issues of superior responsibility and the ICTY’s decision in Prosecutor v Simic. I now teach at Humber College in the fields of Administrative Law and Evidence.

After I graduated and the time came to choose a career path, I chose to dedicate my life to the public service and joined the Department of Justice. As a lawyer with the Canadian Department of Justice, I took part in two streams: refugee and tax law. From 2006 to 2008, I advised the Canada Citizenship and Immigration department on immigration issues related to refugees, visa, and citizenship claimants. I also litigated judicial reviews and stay applications before the Federal Court of Canada resulting from denials from the Immigration and Refugee Board. My favorite cases were the ones dealing with humanitarian issues such as the Safe 3rd Country Agreement and Security Certificate Cases. From 2008 to the present, I practiced international tax law, advising the Canada Revenue Agency on complex fiscal issues dealing with international corporations. I developed a particular expertise on international competent authority and information demands to
counter tax evasion. From both streams, I gained significant experience in litigation, regularly appearing before the Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court of Canada.

My desire to learn about international law and treaties in particular prompted me to obtain my Masters of International Law at New York University, where I was a research assistant for Professor Arnold, was nominated by Professor Taylor for the Bradford Prize for the best paper in the field of international tax treaties, and was selected to be a graduate editor in the Journal of International Law and Politics.

My education aside, my first step towards joining an international organization was as an intern for the International Monetary Fund.
At the IMF, I had the amazing opportunity to apply my international and
comparative law knowledge in drafting recommendations advising on double taxation relief systems for Iceland’s Deputy Director of Tax and assisting on the review and recommendations on Georgia’s international tax policy. Most importantly, I experienced firsthand the role of an international organization and how important and rewarding it is to
assist developing nations in forming solid policies.

I believe that based on my knowledge of international law from my education, my relevant litigation experience with the Department of Justice, and my international organization experience with the IMF, I am a highly qualified and motivated individual with a passion for international public work that would be well qualified for this position. Thank you for your consideration of my application and I would welcome an opportunity to discuss my passion in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Ricky Y.M. Tang