Navigating corporate law in Canada to find the right opportunity
Lucy Espana knew Cenovus Energy was the place for her the moment she had her first interview.
Originally from Colombia, Luz Ximena Espana (Lucy), Legal Counsel at Cenovus Energy, moved to Canada to pursue a Master of Laws at the University of Calgary, specializing in Canadian Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. After graduating, she was encouraged by her network to stay and pursue a legal career in Canada, bringing her international perspective to the Canadian legal landscape.
When applying for legal roles in Canada, she realized that certain systemic barriers made it difficult for internationally trained professionals to work in their fields after relocating. Many legal job postings required applicants to hold a law degree from a Canadian university. Although Lucy holds a Master of Law from the University of Calgary, earned a Canadian Juris Doctor equivalency from the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and was called to the Alberta Bar in 2016, her Colombian bachelors of law posed a challenge.
“I wasn’t sure how this barrier would impact my ability to continue building my legal career in Canada,” says Lucy.
“When I looked at an opportunity at Cenovus, something caught my eye in the job description, ‘must be called to the bar in Alberta’. This intentionally worded requirement, which means being authorized to practice law in Alberta, energized and empowered me to apply.”
During her first interview, she could tell by the thoughtful questions and welcoming energy from her recruiter and hiring manager, that Cenovus is a place where people are valued, and their contributions are celebrated. They were equally impressed by Lucy’s qualifications and drive, so she got the job.
Today, Lucy is an integral part of our Canadian Upstream Legal Operations team, providing legal guidance on complex upstream oil and gas matters, including acquisitions and divestitures.
Lucy meeting with a colleague at the office.
“I’ve really enjoyed the work I've done to date,” she shares. “I also enjoy the people I work with and appreciate being part of a team of thoughtful, sharp professionals who make collaborating easy. ”
Lucy speaking at a Global Lawyers of Canada event.
Lucy is also part of Cenovus’s Incident Support Team, which plays a vital role in our emergency response plans. Working alongside experts in operations, risk, communications and logistics, she provides legal guidance during Cenovus’s incident response activities, when needed.
Drawing from her early experiences seeking employment in Canada, Lucy is committed to paying it forward by supporting internationally trained professionals as they establish their careers in Canada. In 2014, she co-founded Global Lawyers of Canada, a national professional association that promotes a diverse and competitive legal market in Canada by supporting internationally trained lawyers through advocacy, community, engagement and professional development.
She is also president of Business Professional Women Calgary, a network of professional women from various industries focused on developing the leadership potential of women in Calgary. This club was originally formed in 1927 by Nellie McClung, a member of the “Famous Five”.
“It’s time well spent if I can help others like me navigate the employment market and processes here in Canada and find a great employer like Cenovus. It not only pays it forward, but also strengthens and enriches our professional community” says Lucy.
LAST UPDATED: JULY 2025
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