Graduates of the juris doctor (JD) program at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law crossed the stage at Convocation Hall, June 14.
In total, 208 JDs are joining an impressive global network of more than 11,500 law alumni.
U of T’s Faculty of Law ask members of this year’s graduating class to reflect on their time at law school, what’s next for the legal profession and why prospective students ought to consider this enriching pathway.
Neha Goel
Co-President, South Asian Law Students’ Association (SALSA)
GTA Wills Project Lead, Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)
What's next?
Articling at Miller Thomson LLP
I've always been drawn to the idea of pursuing a challenging career where I could make a real difference in people's lives. Law offers the perfect blend of intellectual rigor and meaningful impact. It presents complex challenges that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills, all while providing the opportunity to advocate for justice and effect positive change in society. The dynamic nature of law means that I will always be engaged in continuous learning and will enable perpetual growth throughout my career.
Studying law allowed me to get out of my comfort zone. In my first year, I participated in trial advocacy, which was a mock trial experience. I was initially apprehensive about anything related to litigation and the thought of arguing in front of others terrified me. But I was pleasantly surprised! Collaborating with my trial advocacy partner and presenting arguments to opposing counsel and a judge turned out to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of my law school journey. This is just one instance of many where pushing my boundaries led to finding enjoyment and learning in places, I did not think I would find it.
Right now, my perception of the legal profession is that it often clings to rigid methods of practice and philosophy. However, with the influx of newer generations entering the workforce, I am optimistic about the potential for a future characterized by more diverse perspectives and evolving attitudes within the legal community.
The rapid pace of technological advancements is certain to bring about significant changes to the legal landscape. I imagine that this will facilitate greater collaboration among legal professionals across different jurisdictions and that it will pave the way for more efficient and streamlined processes.
If someone is considering law school, I'd tell them that it's not just about “hitting the books.” Law school offers an array of experiences beyond academics. From externships and moots to various working groups, there are countless opportunities to engage in and grow outside the classroom. What truly made my law school experience unforgettable were the exciting social events like Law Follies or Law Ball. These moments were essential in balancing out the rigors of studying. Embracing all these diverse experiences not only enriches your journey but also prepares you as a lawyer.
Quinn Hartwig
Member and 2023/2023 co-lead of the wine club, In Vino Veritas
Doggie Day volunteer with Lola
What’s next:
Articling at Aird Berlis LLP
I was an active member of In Vino Veritas – The Law School’s Wine Club – for all three years. In year 1 and 2 I was merely a member and as such wrote monthly columns about wine as was required. In my third year I was able to take control of the club with Co-Club-Leader Jared Barkman and was very proud to ‘revive’ it so to speak by recommencing holding in person tasting events as was common before COVID. I have long worked in fine dining and was able to use my knowledge of wine to teach students about the basics and help them become more comfortable talking about and enjoying wine. Each of the events we held were attended by 25 law students and were both informative and very fun! I look forward to continuing to host these events with Jared after graduation while he is in his 4th year.
I was also a persistent champion of the school’s twice yearly ‘doggie day’ with my Chug (Chihuahua + Pug), Lola. Doggie day is held before each exam period and involves having students and faculty bring in their dogs for destressing sessions. I brought Lola each and every time and she became a real star at school. She is well trained, just turned 15, and is super tiny so she was always an adorable and well-behaved guest. She travelled around without a leash and attended classes and made herself comfortable in the library. She loves human attention, so she was always happy to be picked up and loved all day. Her spirits and energy would be notably higher for days to follow each time. Her popularity led to an Ultra Vires cover feature, an alumnus suggesting a bronze statue be made and many referring to her as an honorary student.
Read more about Doggie Day at U of T News
I have long been passionate about both sports and the hospitality industry. I realized early on that I did not have what it took to be a professional athlete and that the nature of fine dining was unsustainable for me as an immediate career path.
My mom has always been my biggest champion and instilled in me from a young age the importance of education. As I started to think about my path in high school and undergrad and how to pursue a career that may touch upon sports or hospitality, I landed on law as it felt the best way to pursue meaningful work in those industries and to engage my desire to sate my academic curiosity, focus on problem solving and to have an intellectually rewarding profession.
Thankfully, I absolutely loved my time in law school and my first summer after second year at Aird Berlis, experiences which have made me feel as though I really made the right choice for both my interests and skill set.
I come from a family without any lawyers – my parents are both very creative and work in reality TV – and I did not really know any lawyers upon arrival at law school. In the first weeks of school, I was immediately astonished by how much many of my peers knew about the profession because of their parents or family connections. It felt as though everyone had parents or friends who were judges or lawyers, had work experience in law, or just knew everything there was to know about the firms – and how to get jobs at them – on day one of law school! I, on the other hand, didn’t even know that recruiting was a thing.
Fortunately, U of T Law is filled with many incredible people who are beyond happy to mentor and share, and I was able to lean upon both informal and formal mentors as well as the incredible team at the Career Development Office to figure things out and acquire a position at what became my first-choice firm, Aird Berlis. I now endeavour to give back and mentor as many students as I can, as I truly don’t know how I would have navigated this process without the help of so many.
Many seem fearful around the future of law and legal practice, in large part due to advances in AI. I however subscribe to the notion espoused in Professors Abid Aidid and Benjamin Alarie’s remarkable book - The Legal Singularity – that AI is not going to take lawyers jobs, lawyers who know how to use and leverage AI will take the jobs of those who do not. With that in mind I plan to continue to stay abreast of advancements in AI and to continue to make great use of ChatGPT and the AI platforms available that are specifically geared towards law to ensure I am an efficient member of my firm.
I hope that AI poses part of the solution to the access to justice crisis we currently experience by increasing the efficiency of the court system, lowering legal fees, and providing lay people with a better understanding of the law, how to represent themselves, and when it is prudent to seek legal counsel.
I would tell someone thinking about law school it’s a great idea and not to worry about what the future of law may hold. Beyond learning the law, law school also improves your thinking to make you an incredibly desirable employee for a wide range of industries. Put simply, the skills you learn in law school will be valuable whether you choose to be a lawyer or not. In my mind there is no other degree which sets you up so well to go in a number of different directions.
Furthermore, perhaps most importantly, the greatest thing you’ll take away from law school will be the network of people you meet. I am so grateful for all of the connections I have made in the last three years, and for all the lessons I have learned from incredibly intelligent peers and professors. I have no doubt that both will play a pivotal role in my future no matter where it leads.
Justin Kim
Class of 2024 Valedictorian
President, 2023/2024, Students' Law Society
Senior Editor, University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review
What's next?
Joining Paul Hastings LLP in the U.S.
I came into law school with an open mind, hoping that combining a law degree with my STEM background would open-up diverse and meaningful career opportunities.
Despite the competitive nature often associated with law school, I found an unexpectedly strong sense of camaraderie among my peers. Even within a rigorous academic environment, students were incredibly supportive and always willing to lend a helping hand. I found that this supportive culture extended beyond the school, with alumni frequently eager to provide guidance and mentorship to current students.
I believe the future of legal practice will be intricately linked with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), not just by law firms but also by the judiciary and administrative bodies. AI promises to foster greater access to justice and empowerment for individuals and communities by making legal services more accessible and transparent. I'm excited to see how the future unfolds!
If someone is considering attending law school, I would tell them that it can be a great experience. From clubs and clinics to research opportunities and externships. There are so many avenues for growth and exploration that will make the journey both enriching and fulfilling. Becoming a lawyer can be a meaningful way for you to help others and learn a lot about yourself.
Hayley VandePol
Co-president, Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA)
Senior editor, Indigenous Law Journal (ILJ)
What's next?
Articling at Posner Craig Stein LLP (Criminal defense)
Looking back, I chose to study law because I wanted to create change in the criminal justice system for Indigenous Peoples. When I learned about my Kanienʼkehá (Mohawk) identity, I learned how the law has been and continues to be used to subjugate, assimilate, and punish my ancestors and Indigenous Peoples across these lands. I developed an interest in criminal law during my undergraduate degree. An internship at the District Attorneys’ Office, a course in a carceral institution and research project focused on wrongful convictions, shed light on the injustices Indigenous Peoples face at the hands of the criminal justice system.
It was surprising to learn how the performative inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and practices into the colonial criminal justice system can hinder the nation building and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples. Three years later, I have learned that it is not that we need to think outside of the box, rather that the problem is the box itself. Change for Indigenous Peoples will not come from within the criminal justice system – it will come when it no longer exists as it does today.
I hope that 10 years from now, practising law includes practising Indigenous law. I hope that ten years from now, there will be justice systems by and for Indigenous Peoples separate from the colonial justice system that exist today. I hope that ten years from now, Kanienʼkehá legal principles including Skén:nén (peace), Ka’nikonhrí:yo (a good mind), and Ka’shasténhsera (strength), will be used daily.
For those considering law school, I would tell them to stay true to yourself – Bay Street will survive without you. In my opinion and in my experience, law school is less stressful and more rewarding when you are learning and working in the areas of law that you have a genuine interest in. I promise the money and prestige of Bay Street wears off after 1L.
I would also tell them to not lose themselves in the ‘law school bubble’. Remaining connected to friends, family, and a community outside of law school reminds you that you and not only a law student – you are a whole person – and provides much needed relief from discussing the elements of a valid contract, unwritten constitutional principles, and the rule against and exceptions to hearsay evidence.
Anna Welch
VP, University of Toronto OutLaws
Associate editor and senior Forum editor, University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review
Associate editor, Journal of Law and Equality
Submissions manager, Indigenous Law Journal
Co-founder, Lawful Singers
Peer mentor, peer mental health mentor, Law Review mentor and recruit buddy
What’s next?
Articling at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
I went to law school to build a career that would set a good example for my kids and let me provide for my family as best as possible. I knew I wanted challenging and dynamic work through which I could develop deep expertise.
As I learned more about what lawyers do, I was surprised by how much of a caring profession it is. To be successful, lawyers care for their clients, their colleagues and themselves. We take care of clients by being acutely attuned to their needs and circumstances and sometimes by being a voice of reason. We take care of each other when we work as a team, give credit where credit is due and commit to being part of an inclusive workplace. We take care of ourselves when we acknowledge that work is only one part of our life and by staying excited about learning and new challenges.
I think this idea of taking care will only grow in the profession going forward. As some of lawyers’ tasks are outsourced to technology, clients will expect and deserve higher-touch service. We’ll be taking better care of each other, for example with systems for allocating work to junior lawyers that eliminate bias. And more and more firms are understanding the value of giving lawyers the permission and resources to take care of themselves.
To anyone considering law school, I say go! Regardless of your educational background, your personality and your goals, there’s a role and legal practice area for everyone. I’m so thankful I finally decided to do it.
