Aaron Bains – Queen’s UniversityAaron recently completed his 2nd year of law school at Queen’s University. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of British Columbia. This year was particularly busy for Aaron as he founded a law social club, was the law senator, and participated in an international trade litigation moot. As senator, Aaron sat on numerous committees for Queen’s Law and the University at large. These involved discussing minor issues affecting student’s day-to-day lives, and much larger determinations on Queen’s future enrolment strategy. For his contributions to the law school Aaron was awarded the LSS Millennium Award. Apart from the Senate, Aaron is participating in the world finals of the ELSA international trade law moot having advanced from the regional round and gaining the best semi-finalist oralist award. Beyond his studies, Aaron enjoys staying active by working out and playing on the law rugby team, testing new recipes and listening to jazz records.
Stephen Crawford - University of TorontoStephen recently completed his 2nd year of law school at the University of Toronto. He has a bachelor's degree in Commerce from Queen's University. While at law school, Stephen has worked in a number of positions with the Journal of International Law and International Relations, tutored high school students through the LAWS program, and served on the executive of the Law and Politics Club. In previous summers, Stephen has worked at the NHLPA, Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and the City of Toronto. During his undergraduate, he served on the Board of Directors of “Almost Home”, a Kingston-based charity. In his spare time, Stephen enjoys travelling and plays a variety of sports, including hockey, football, trampoline, and innertube waterpolo.
Laura Dean – University of WindsorLaura recently finished her second year of law school at the University of Windsor. She holds a master’s degree in Urbanization and Development from the London School of Economics. In support of her master’s thesis, Laura carried out field work in southern Ecuador to assess the effect of a municipal urban regeneration project on local street vendors. Laura has a bachelors degree in International Development Studies from McGill University. Before entering law school, Laura was a Senior Policy Advisor in the Housing Policy Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Prior to that role, Laura worked as a Policy Analyst with the Ontario Climate Change Secretariat. While at law school, Laura is an Associate Editor with the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues. Laura is also the president and founder of the Windsor Law Soup Society, a culinary club which holds soup sales to benefit charitable causes in the Windsor community. Laura enjoys playing the drums, cycling, camping and cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays. Daniel Everall - University of TorontoDaniel just finished his second year of law school at the University of Toronto. He graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta's Bachelor of Commerce program, with a major in finance and a minor in business economics and law. During his undergrad, Daniel worked for two years with a team of students investing a portion of the university’s endowment fund in Canadian equities. He also gained work experience in the corporate development department of a global agribusiness, working on strategic planning and financial modelling. More recently, Daniel conducted economic analysis and research for the policy division of a regional government development agency. While at law school, Daniel has joined the Journal for International Law and International Relations. He is also co-leading a student initiative for the creation of a business law clinic. In his spare time, he enjoys back-country hiking, snowboarding and other outdoor activities.
Alyssa Gebert – University of Windsor Alyssa recently completed her first year of law school at the University of Windsor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), with a specialization in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Before entering law school, Alyssa worked in the charitable sector at Imagine Canada. She also spent several months living in Washington D.C while interning at the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Prosperity. Alyssa is a founder and board member of the small non-profit At Capacity Resource Development, an organization that helps charities secure funding for their respective projects. Next year, Alyssa will join the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues as a Copy Editor. In her spare time, she enjoys running long distances very slowly and baking high-calorie treats.
Jennifer Hill – Osgoode Hall Jennifer recently finished her first year at Osgoode Hall Law School. She holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. Prior to law school Jennifer worked as a student for the Government of Canada with the Department of Justice, the Department of National Defence, Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She was also a coach for the youth program of the Ottawa Fury Soccer Club. This year, Jennifer completed a pro bono placement as a clerk with the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board and worked as a researcher with York University’s Department of Sociology. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and family, following professional sports and gardening.
Jami Makan – Queen’s University Jami recently completed his second year of law school at Queen's University. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the London School of Economics, where he studied philosophy and economics, and a Master of Science from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Prior to law school, he was a reporter and researcher at SmartMoney Magazine in New York, and spent eight months in Nairobi, Kenya writing for East Africa's largest newspaper. At Queen's, he has received a course prize recommendation for highest standing in Mining Law, volunteered with the Law Students' Society, performed as a violinist with the Queen's Symphony Orchestra and played drums at the annual "Lawlapalooza" festival. Next year, he plans to spend a semester studying abroad in India at Jindal Global Law School. His other interests include movies, basketball and board games.
Michael McDonald - Queen's UniversityMichael is entering his second year of law school at Queen's University. He received his Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering with distinction from McMaster University. During his undergraduate summers, Michael worked for the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute doing research and development for automotive and machine tool manufacturers in the Toronto area. At McMaster, Michael was captain of the Men's Varsity Swim Team, competing at multiple international level meets, and concluding his competitive swimming career at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal in April of 2012. At Queen's, Michael is a volunteer editor for the Queen's Law Journal, as well as a part of the Corporate Law and Investment Club and Intellectual Property Club. In his time not consumed by law, Michael is a competitive highland bagpiper and bagpipe instructor with the Rob Roy Pipe Band in Kingston. He will be travelling with the band to compete at the World Championships in Scotland in August.
David Neligan – University of OttawaDavid recently completed his second year of English Common Law at the University of Ottawa. This year, David was active on the executive of the Environmental Law Students Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, while also contributing research to the Refugee Law Research Team. Prior to attending law school, David was a Senior Policy/Research Specialist at Citizenship and Immigration Canada where he focused on economic and labour-market integration for newcomers to Canada. David has a Master’s degree in Geography from McMaster University and a BA in Geography and International Development from McGill. In his spare time, David enjoys exploring the Gatineau hills on his bicycle or playing volleyball on the beach, and he has recently discovered a passion for curling!
Daanish Samadmoten – University of TorontoDaanish recently completed his second year of law school at the University of Toronto. He graduated summa cum laude from McMaster University’s Bachelor of Commerce program, with a major in Finance and a minor in Political Science. In his first year of study at law school, he was awarded a Blakes Scholarship for academic achievement, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. While at law school, Daanish has been involved in a range of extracurricular activites, from performing in Law Follies, to serving as a Case Worker at Downtown Legal Services, a legal aid clinic staffed by students. Daanish also served as Articles Editor of the Law Review, Vice President of Finance for and contributor to the school newspaper, Vice President and Co-President of the Litigation Association, and member of a student group working with faculty in regards to financial aid and tuition. During the summer of 2012, Daanish worked as a Research Assistant and at the Royal Bank of Canada, where he has worked for the past six summers. In his spare time, Daanish enjoys watching movies, playing tennis, billiards, and basketball, and travelling.
Mark Strychar-Bodnar – University of OttawaMark is entering his second year at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law following the completion of a B.A.(Hon.) and M.A. at the University of Toronto. Mark's recent adventures saw him in Brussels where he worked with NATO’s Political Affairs and Security Policy Division focusing on relations with Russia and Ukraine. He previously worked for various Members of Provincial Parliament in Ontario, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and interned at the U.S. Senate. While at law school Mark has volunteered with the Ottawa Law Review, researched for Dean Bruce Feldthusen and was awarded the Ed Ratushny Prize in Public Law. His most exciting moment in first year was successfully arguing in front of Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell during the finals of the Nelligan O’Brien Payne Moot Competition. In addition to working at the Firm, Mark is looking forward to playing softball with his old team this summer.
Titus Totan – Osgoode Hall Titus is entering his third year at Osgoode Hall Law School. He holds an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Ottawa. Prior to his legal studies, Titus completed two terms with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in support of creating and implementing various professional development initiatives for federal public servants. While at Osgoode, Titus has volunteered at the Community and Legal Aid Services Programme for three semesters, contributing to the administrative law division in an assortment of cases relating to human rights complaints, disability claims, and landlord/tenant disputes. He is also a member of the Osgoode Debate Society and has refereed regional debate tournaments. In 2012-2013, he was awarded the McMillan LLP award for academic excellence. In his spare time, Titus enjoys hands-on renovation projects, all conceivable sports and athletic activities, and has an inordinate fondness for television sitcoms.