Our 2024/25 Articling Program

Katie summered at the firm in 2022 and 2023. She recently graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law on the Dean’s Honour List, placing among the top 10% of her class. During her time at Queen’s, Katie volunteered with the Queen’s Law Journal, Queen’s Legal Aid and Pro Bono Students Canada, and acted as peer tutor and mentor. Prior to law school, Katie earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from Ontario Tech University, graduating with Highest Distinction and receiving the Social Science and Humanities Faculty Prize for academic excellence and contributions to the community. At Ontario Tech, she acted as the Public Relations Executive for the Student Law Association and served as a peer notetaker for students with accessibility needs. A highlight of her undergraduate studies was serving as a research assistant, and co-authoring a paper on Canadian privacy law and data protection. Katie’s journey with the firm began over a decade ago as a legal assistant, then law clerk, in our Tax and Estates group. She also worked as a part-time professor in the Law Clerk program at Durham College, where she taught courses in civil litigation, legal office procedures and legal communications. Outside of work, Katie enjoys yoga (with mixed results), gardening (with a not-quite-green thumb) and spending time with her cat.

Alex summered at the firm in 2023. He recently completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Magna Cum Laude), where he received two business law scholarships for academic achievement and community involvement. Alex obtained his bilingual Bachelor of Arts from York University (Glendon College) with a major in Political Science and was awarded the Gold Medal for his program. He also spent a semester abroad studying Business and Economics at Sciences Po Paris and performed research for an economist at the Banque de France. He subsequently obtained his Master of Management from the Schulich School of Business, graduating on the Dean’s Honour List. Alex has extensive leadership and professional experience. He was the President of the Business Law Society in his second year of law school, and was elected to the Senior Board of the Ottawa Law Review, where he served as Business Manager in his third year of studies. Alex was also a research assistant for a notable Canada Research Chair—his work on issues concerning freedom of expression and the telecommunications industry was used for submissions to government and in preparation for Senate Standing Committee appearances. Additionally, Alex worked as an intern in the legal department of a large financial services company, where he conducted securities research and due diligence. Outside of work and school, Alex is passionate about literature, cinema and fitness.

Ethan summered at the firm in 2023. He recently graduated with his JD from Osgoode Hall Law School. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Queen’s University, graduating with Distinction. He then attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a Master of Arts in Political Economy, completing a graduate dissertation on politics and economic policy. While at Osgoode, Ethan volunteered as a case worker for Community Aid and Legal Services, and served as a mentor to first-year students. He also served as a class representative for the Osgoode Advocacy Society and participated in moots, negotiation workshops and negotiation competitions. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Ethan worked as a research assistant for Mary Condon, the former Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School. His research focused on securities regulation and explored a variety of topics, including the decline of the public markets and the challenges associated with regulating cryptocurrency. Outside of work and school, Ethan enjoys cooking, camping trips and is a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Emily is a recent graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, where she was recognized with the Upper Year Award of Excellence, the Neil E. Wood, Q.C. Prize for obtaining the highest standing in Real Estate and the Art Vertlieb, Q.C. Award for demonstrating leadership in extra-curricular activities. Emily received the Hennick Centre for Business and Law Internship Award, which funded a summer internship with the legal department of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Emily also worked as a Fellow for both the Intellectual Property Innovation Clinic and Environmental Justice & Sustainability Clinic, where she worked with both private corporations and not-for-profit organizations. She was a writer for Osgoode’s IPilogue, publishing articles on IP law, technology and privacy issues, and continues to serve as an editor for Carswell’s IP Journal. Her community activities included serving as a Co-Chair for the Korean Law Students’ Association, VP Internal for the IP Society, and mentor for the Asian Law Students’ Association, Osgoode Women’s Network and Osgoode Mentorship Program. Before law school, Emily obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Biology from the University of British Columbia, achieving the Dean’s List and graduating with High Distinction. During her undergraduate degree, she worked for the Faculty of Medicine developing and facilitating their international summer program and as a teaching assistant for the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Zoology. She volunteered in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, building homes in rural villages, and attended cultural and language programs in China and Korea. She also served as a Red Cross First Responder and earned her black belt in taekwondo. Her hobbies include playing the piano, enjoying live music, crafting and travelling.

Essber summered at the firm in 2023. He recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before attending Osgoode, Essber obtained his LL.B. and LL.M. in Commercial Law from Damascus University in his home country of Syria. He practiced law in Syria for three years, representing international organizations and domestic and foreign financial institutions in a wide variety of legal matters. Essber subsequently earned an LL.M. in International Business Law from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon graduation, he received the Adria J. Sankovic Award for fostering a community of international friendship among his classmates. More recently, Essber worked in the legal department of a company that provides technical and creative services to the global video gaming industry. While at Osgoode, Essber served in numerous leadership and volunteer roles, including Director of Mentorship of the Mature Students’ Association, interpreter for the Community & Legal Aid Services Program, Peer Counsellor with the Career Development Office and as a member of the Osgoode Equality Committee. In his third year at Osgoode, Essber was selected to participate in the International and Transnational Law Intensive Program, where he completed a placement with the Centre for Law and Democracy in Halifax. During his placement, Essber worked on many projects related to freedom of expression and assembly. In his third year, Essber received the Dean’s Gold Key Award for his exceptional contributions to the law school. In addition, in his first year at Osgoode, Essber received the Cassels Brock & Blackwell Prize for Professionalism. In his free time, Essber enjoys walking, hiking, cooking and following European soccer.

Quinn summered at the firm in 2023. He recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University where he majored in Sociology, minored in Communication Studies and graduated with Distinction. Prior to law school, Quinn worked for six summers at celebrity chef Susur Lee’s acclaimed Lee Restaurant. Quinn started as a teenager as a food-runner (and the restaurant’s youngest-ever employee) and worked his way up to the role of senior server. In this capacity, he led a team of 10-12 staff members and oversaw the training of all new staff. During law school, Quinn served as a mentor to first-year students and led the In Vino Veritas wine club. In this role, he hosted fun and informative wine tastings for groups of 25 law students. After first year, Quinn worked as a research assistant in the field of copyright law. In this role, he prepared a report (based on Canadian precedent) designed to protect religious organizations from copyright infringement claims when using music during public events. Beyond his work and studies, Quinn is passionate about playing hockey and watching most sports. Quinn also enjoys spending time with Lola, his 15-year-old Chihuahua and Pug mix. Quinn also loves music and attending concerts and hosting wine clubs, and is most inspired by eating at his favourite restaurants and discovering new ones. 

Lexie summered at the firm in 2023. Lexie recently graduated from the Common Law program at the University of Ottawa. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Western University, where she studied Media Information and Technoculture. During her undergraduate degree, Lexie was involved in the campus community as an orientation leader, students' council member and on-camera reporter for Western TV. Lexie continued her community involvement at the University of Ottawa where she acted as the Communications Chair for the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and president of Elephant in the Room, an organization dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in the legal field. Before joining the Aird & Berlis team, Lexie worked at the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC). She also completed a Research Fellowship at the Law Commission of Ontario where she contributed to the Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace Project. Her research focused on femtech and the lack of legal protections for reproductive health data. Lexie currently acts as a board member for Artists Legal Services Ottawa. In her spare time, Lexie enjoys skiing, hiking, travelling and getting lost in a good book.

Michael summered at the firm in 2022 and 2023. He graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law with Distinction, and was recognized for having the highest standing in his section of the Labour Law course. Michael completed a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, with a specialization in cancer research. He spent his final year investigating the role of certain immune cells in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Michael then completed a Master of Public Health from Queen’s University. During this time, he worked with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind researching the effectiveness of Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program for individuals with sight loss. Prior to law school, Michael assisted with a province-wide COVID-19 research study with Mount Sinai Hospital. He played an integral role in developing the study’s COVID sample management system as well as maintaining positive relationships with participants. In law school, Michael volunteered with the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights to help develop public guidelines for legislative changes to police accountability. As a peer tutor and mentor through the University of Toronto’s Academic Support Program, Michael also helped dozens of law students navigate law school and their studies. In his personal life, Michael enjoys watching bad movies with friends, building computers and cheering for the Maple Leafs.