Student Legal Society

Updated:
Aboriginal Law Club  
The goal of the Aboriginal Law Club is to help acquire the background to apply the law to important issues affecting society and have fun at the same time. The main focus is to develop relationships with Aboriginals and their communities within the city of London , Ontario. The club provides a framework in which these networking opportunities can occur at Western Law by making connections with Aboriginal lawyers and others active in the Aboriginal community. On the social side, the group participates in local cultural events such as pow-wows. In the end, the hope is to further justice through the group's various initiatives.
The Aboriginal Law Club is currently deratified.  If you are interested in leading the club please contact SLS VP Student Affairs, Ryan Barata (rbarata@uwo.ca)


Black Law Students's Association  
The Black Law Students' Association of Canada (BLSAC) recognizes the essential role that we will play as lawyers in furthering the aspirations of our community and Canadian society as a whole.  We are committed to supporting and enhancing the academic, professional and networking opportunities for Black law students in both official languages.  We also recognize the need to 'pay it forward' and have a very active mentoring program for high school and university students interested in a legal career.
Our main goal is to assist our members to create careers that fulfill their goals whether their desire is to work domestically or internationally.  We are proud to provide opportunities for formal and informal discussions about legal policy issues, effective career strategies, and evolutions in substantive law or furthering the discussion about challenges faced by the Black community within the administration of justice.  We reflect the diversity of the African/Black experience and see our national organization as providing the means for us to take our rightful space and make a meaningful contribution to the furtherance of justice.
Contact: Arakua Lamptey  (olamptey@uwo.ca)

The Business Law Student Society
The Business and Insolvency Club helps its members gain practical knowledge of various aspects of business law.  In the past, this club has organized negotiation competitions, contract drafting competitions, and visits to surrounding law firms.
Contacts: Michael Kril-Mascarin(mkrilmas@uwo.ca), Lee Nicholson (lnicho3@uwo.ca)

Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights  
Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, established to promote human rights globally through legal education, advocacy and law reform. The CLAIHR Western Law Chapter is new this year and aims to promote student awareness and involvement in international human rights issues. Student activities include, but are not limited to research projects related to current CLAIHR involvements (Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Munyaneza genocide trial before the Quebec Court of Appeal, etc.), films and documentary showings, followed by informal discussions, and a speaker series.
Contact: Ruth-Anne Avruskin (ravruski@uwo.ca)

Christian Legal Fellowship  
CLF is a nation-wide organization of lawyers, law students, judges, and other people in law-related professions who are committed to integrating Christian faith with law.  A student chapter exists at Western Law, seeking to provide a community, fellowship, and outreach.  It is a nondenominational group and events are open to people of all faiths and beliefs.
For more information about the national CLF organization, please visitwww.christianlegalfellowship.org

Contacts: David Amin  (damin2@uwo.ca)

Criminal Law Students Association  
The Criminal Law Students' Association strives to bridge the gap between academic studies of criminal law and life as a criminal lawyer. Our aim is to increase interest in criminal law and to provide information and experiences to students already interested in this area. In past years this has been done through excursions to the Kingston Penitentiary and the Ontario Police College and through speakers such as lawyers and judges in the criminal courts and experts in areas such as forensic sciences. For several years, we have organized and funded participation in the Criminal Lawyers' Association's annual conference in Toronto and we hope to continue this new tradition in coming years. We also help run the Police Witness Training Program which allows students to participate in mock direct and cross examination of actual police officers on actual charges.
Contact: Ryan Venables (rgvenabl@uwo.ca) 

East Asian Law Students Federation 
The East Asian Law Students Federation (EALSF) discusses and addresses issues facing Asian Canadian lawyers, and to create a cultural community for East Asian law students. EALSF attends the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) conference, participates in charitable endeavours and cultural events in London and Toronto and provides outreach to high school or undergraduate students who wish to attend law at the University of Western Ontario
Contact: Gavin Mah (gmah@uwo.ca)

Entertainment and Sports Law Association  
The goal of the newly founded Entertainment and Sports Law Association at UWO is to grant students and faculty some exposure to areas of the law they will not usually get via lectures and coursework.  Most law students are interested in or involved with arts and/or athletics, which make the legal talking points generated by sports and entertainment very accessible.  The mandate of ESLA is to host two panel discussions each year where students can network with professionals in both industries.  Attending local events and engaging with the other members of the Association is also encouraged.  Please join our list serve if you would like to be informed of upcoming events.
Contact: Jayme Alter (jalter3@uwo.ca) & Will Edwards (wedward4@uwo.ca)

Gender and the Law Association (GALA) 
This student association will explore ideas about gender discrimination in law, the legal system, legal education, and the legal profession. The association seeks to examine law's contribution to women's legal, social, political, and economic in equality. The association will focus on feminist legal theory, along with the way in which gender issues intersect with issues of race, class, sexual orientation, and disability. We will explore various topics dealing with gender issues in the law. These topics include violence against women, transgender challenges to women-only spaces, reproductive rights and ideas of motherhood, and the relationship between cultural equality and gender equality. We plan to organize events such as lecture series and fundraising events in order to create discussion forums and increase awareness of these issues within the law school community.
Contact: Michelle Johnston(mjohn82@uwo.ca) & Terrah Smith (tsmith26@uwo.ca)

Health Law Club 
Interested in health and its application in the field of law?  The Health Law club strives to expose students to practical knowledge in the area of health law.  We wish to facilitate liaisons between students and to make students aware of potential career opportunities.  This club aims to promote student interest and awareness through the participation and organization of activities.  Past events have included firm tours, speakers, and volunteer opportunities.
Contact: Shawn Steele (spsteele@uwo.ca) & Kanna Narayanan (knarayan@uwo.ca)

International Law Association (ILA)  
The goal of the ILA is to expose students to knowledge and opportunities in both private and public international law.  The association brings in monthly guest speakers, organizes trips to academic conferences, facilitates discussion panels and hosts on “International Law Week” in the spring.  It also coordinates a trip over reading week to visit major international law institutions: past trips have been to New York City and The Hague, Netherlands!  
Contacts: Heather Alexander (halexan2@uwo.ca) & Rachel Slingerland (rslinger@uwo.ca)

Jewish Law Students' Association  
The JLSA is a cultural, social, educational, and religious organization.  We address and raise awareness about the needs, interests, and concerns of the Jewish community.  Our events include Shabbat dinners and other holiday celebrations with other graduate students, guest speakers and more. 
Contacts: Jayme Alter (jalter3@uwo.ca) & Einav Shlomovitz (eshlomov@uwo.ca)

Law and Animal Club of Western: Student Animal Legal Defence Fund (LaCoW: SALDF)
LACOW is the Western Chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defence Fund. Students with various legal interests meet to learn about the relatively new area of Animal Law and to discuss their perspective on the issues. The club hosts speakers discussing the various aspects of Animal Law including criminal law, environmental public interest, and international animal laws.
Contact: Teri Muszak (tmuszak@uwo.ca)

Labour Law Society  
The Labour Law Society has traditionally been a good resource for bringing in speakers on a variety of labour and employment law issues.  These speakers are helpful to students who want a glimpse of what practicing labour law entails.  As well, they help to keep us up-to-date with what is happening in legislation and case law.  This year, the executive of the Labour Law Society has decided to make participation more active.  A number of projects will be undertaken which will be helpful to anyone with an interest in labour and employment law.  For more information, attend the first general meeting.  A date and time will be announced.
Contact: Erin Payne (epayne6@uwo.ca)

Mature Students Club  
The Mature Students Club exists to facilitate connections between members of this large and important section of the student body. 
Contact: Vera Dokter (vookter@uwo.ca) & Jennifer Croswell  (jcroswe@uwo.ca)

Muslim Law Students Association
The Muslim Law Student Association (MLSA) is dedicated to interfaith dialogue, raising awareness and educating the community regarding Muslims & Islam, thereby reducing barriers and promoting understanding and tolerance. The MLSA aims to develop community outreach initiatives to hopefully increase and encourage minority representation in the field of law. Finally, the MLSA aims to create a neutral forum for social interaction and community-building within the University of Western Ontario and other Ontario law schools.
Contacts: Zahida Shawkat & Najia Mahmud (mlsa@uwo.ca)

OutLaw Western  outlaws@uwo.ca
OutLaw Western provides a safe space for self-identified LGBT law students. It attempts to nurture an LGBT-positive community at UWO Law and facilitate networking between LGBT students. OutLaw Western is also a forum to examine LGBT legal issues by hosting speakers, engaging in discussion and holding events. The club explores matters including, but not limited to, transgender rights, hate speech legislation with respect to the LGBT community, workplace "closeting" and international LGBT right issues.
Currently OutLaw is being run through an association with GALA.  If you are interested in leading OutLaw please contact SLS VP Student Affairs, Ryan Barata (rbarata@uwo.ca)

Phi Delta Phi 
Phi Delta Phi is an international legal fraternity established in 1869 and is one of the oldest legal organizations in North America.  With over 200,000 members, including notable judges and public figures, it is also the world’s largest legal fraternity of legal students and practitioners.  

The Rand Inn, UWO’s chapter, is focused on celebrating individuals in the law school community who contribute to the law school and broader community.  Those interested in membership should contact the President directly.
Contact: Ryan Hayes (rhayes5@uwo.ca)

South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA)  
The South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) is proud to host a variety of events with South Asian flair. Past events have included a welcome dinner, Bollywood movie night and firm tours, to name a few. If you would like to be involved with the club either actively or passively please contact us to be added to the mailing list. We are always looking for new ideas and new reasons to get together and eat Indian food.
Contact: SALSA is currently deratified.  If you are interested in leading the club please contact SLS VP Student Affairs, Ryan Barata (rbarata@uwo.ca)

Western Environmental Law Association 
The Western Environmental Law Association (“WELA”) aims to create awareness and interest in environmental law.
Contact: Teri Muzsak  (tmuszak@uwo.ca)

Western Law Advocacy Committee 
The UWO Advocacy Committee is committed to promoting an interest in advocacy and litigation by presenting guest speakers, liaising with London and Toronto litigation firms, and conducting the First Year Advocacy Competition.  Rather than maintaining a specific membership list, all law students are members of the Club, as our mandate is to serve the entire student body. 
Contact: Julie Menten  (Julie.a.menten@gmail.com)

Western Intellectual Property Association  
WIPA's mandate is to promote student interest in the areas of intellectual property law through the participation and organization of activities involving members from academia, industry, and practice in the new economy.  The club meets on an informal basis to discuss current issues in copyright, patent, and trademark law, as well as some of the hottest developments in the IP world.
Contact: Ben Reingold (breingol@uwo.ca)

Western Law Karaoke Club
The Western Law Karaoke Club organizes fun filled karaoke nights throughout the year at various bars throughout London.  These nights generally fall on Sundays and Mondays.  Look for our next event in the Daily News.  
Contact: Gordon Cassie (gcassie@uwo.ca)

Committee Descriptions:
Community Outreach Committee twagg@uwo.ca and mmungova@uwo.ca

Even while in law school, we are important members of the community in which we live.  The committee attempts to create an awareness of that fact by organizing community outreach programs and fundraisers.  As future lawyers we must be aware of our ability to become leaders in our community.  Therefore, it is important to spend time now creating a positive image for the Law School through involvement with community agencies which can benefit from student assistance.  Without your participation, these goals will be hard to reach.

Contacts: Maeve Mungovan & Tyler Wagg




Diversity Committee, Alex.poodles@gmail.com

Description:    We have an amazing team to help diversify our faculty by celebrating the view that diversity and merit are two sides of the same coin. Our committee seeks to research and model a law school environment at Western Law that is welcoming, safe, and inclusive to all of our administrators, staff, and students by viewing differences in nationality, race, religious belief, gender, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and able-bodiedness as opportunities for understanding, learning, and growth.

Contact: Alexandra Papaiconomau

Distinguished Speakers Committee, halexan2@uwo.ca and jteitel2@uwo.ca

The role of the Distinguished Speakers Committee (“DSC”) is to recruit speakers who will educate, provoke debate, inspire us, and challenge our worldview.  The speakers we aim to attract will fulfill the above criteria but also have name recognition that comes with being a leader or official, i.e. a captain of industry, an Ambassador, a diplomat, or a high-ranking politician or member of the judiciary.  In the 2006-2007 school year, the DSC hosted Senator Hugh Segal, Judge Philippe Kirsch, President of the International Criminal Court, and Supreme Court of Canada Justice Marshall Rothstein.  The DSC receives input from faculty as to speakers we consider, and we encourage students to contact us with ideas and/or possible contacts for speakers.  We seek to represent you and bring speakers of interest.  Our aim is to have four to six speakers throughout the academic year.

Contact: Heather Alexander, Jared Teitelra

Law Ball Committee, kredmon2@uwo.ca and lkiser@uwo.ca

Law Ball is UWO Law’s annual semi-formal, which generally takes place in early March.  Sign up to help organize an evening dinner, drinks and dancing.

Contacts: Lyndsey Kiser & Kellie Redmond
   

Law Games Committee, spulver@uwo.ca

Law Games is an annual academic, athletic, and social event attended by law students from across the country.  Western’s team is chaired by a four-student committee that handles all logistical planning for Western’s delegation and acts as Co-Captains during Law Games itself.  Keep an eye out for your opportunity to be a part of the Western Law Games Team!

Contact: Steven Pulver

Merchandising Committee, dgauvrea@uwo.ca

Want to be part of the most "fashionable" committee at UWO law?  If so, the Merchandise Committee may be the place for you.  The role of the Merchandise Committee is to keep students and faculty outfitted in the latest and greatest in UWO Law merchandise.  Committee members are responsible for designing and selecting the merchandise that is sold, marketing the merchandise, and coordinating our annual fall and spring merchandise sales.  As well, committee members work closely with the SLS Treasurer to ensure that the merchandise selections are economically viable.

Contact: Danielle Gauvreau
   
Obiter Dicta Committee, gcassie@uwo.ca

Description:    Do you like to sing? Looking for a back-up career in acting? OBITER DICTA is for you. Obiter Dicta is a variety show held every March by the law students, faculty, and staff.  The show is great fun and for a good cause -- all proceeds go to the Hospice of London.  As members of the Obiter Dicta Committee, we organize and run the event, which includes a wide variety of talents from singers, actors, and dancers to stage crew and writers.  So come one, come all -- Obiter Dicta has something for everyone.

Contact: Gordon Cassie

Orientation Committee, jthoburn@uwo.ca and cmamo@uwo.ca

Orientation week allows first year students to meet their classmates and upper year students, get to know the city of London and to enjoy themselves.  The role of the Orientation Committee is to make this fun-filled week the best experience possible for all first-year students.  The Orientation Committee is usually composed of second and third year students.  This committee is a great deal of fun -- you can effectively better Orientation Week for next year's incoming students and you can have a great time partying as well.

Contacts: Chris Mamo & JonathonThoburn



Social Committee, sdoucet5@uwo.ca

The Social Committee will become your link to the law school.  They will keep your social calendar packed from September to March.  You can always count on your Social Committee to give you a break from the books with special events each and every month, including professional pubs, special occasion activities, and the infamous Lord Denning pub nights.  Ensure that you don't miss out on any of the excitement by checking out our information board.  Or better yet, you can join in the fun by volunteering your ideas, time and expertise.

Contact: Stephanie Doucet


Sports Committee, abaer2@uwo.ca

Ever dream of scoring a fade away jump shot at the buzzer to win the championship?  Hasn't this happened yet?  Here's another chance!  The Sports Committee provides you with all kinds of opportunities to put off your memo research for just a few more hours.  Western Intramurals cater to a wide range of interests from basketball to softball to broomball.  Don't know anyone who is passionate about inner-tube water polo?  There will be a general sign-up for all intramurals on Clubs Day and sign-up sheets will be posted on our bulletin board. The Sports Committee also organizes various activities throughout the year.  These include softball, volleyball and touch football tournaments, curling, a squash ladder, and oh, so much more.  Two first-year Sports Reps will be chosen from the Committee to help organize the activities.

Contact: Aaron Baer

Student Careers Committee, mshakra@uwo.ca

Description:    The Student Career Committee provides support and assistance to Western Law's Career & Professional Development Office (the "CPDO") and acts as a liaison between the CPDO and the student body. The committee will, in conjunction with the CPDO, help plan and run a variety of career-related events throughout the year, including the annual career fair (usually in March). The committee will also assist with career-related research as required, assist in updating the CPDO website, help maintain the Career Resource Centre, conduct employer outreach and will be responsible for a feature section in the newsletter published by the CPDO.

Contact: Michael Shakra

Yearbook, ssugar@uwo.ca and hgodsoe@uwo.ca

Western Law prides itself on having a closely connected student populace.  Life time friendships tend to blossom throughout our school’s three-year program.  The Yearbook Committee has been working extremely hard in order to capture these valuable memories.  The mandate of the Yearbook Committee is self-explanatory: we are driven to create the most memorable book possible for Western Law students.  Our all-law team includes a number of graphic designers, photographers, cartoonists, and writers.

Contact: Harold Godsoe & Stephanie Sugar


Third Year Party, gcassie@uwo.ca, jmather2@uwo.ca and bjebson@uwo.ca

The name says it all! One last chance for third years to say good bye, and enjoy their lives as students.

Contacts: Gordon Cassie, Braden Jebson & John Mather
   

 Student Alumni Committee, ssugar@uwo.ca

Still in its formative phases, the Student Alumni Committee is committed to encouraging and fostering relationships between current students and young alum.  The most important events in the Alumni Committee portfolio are Homecoming, a Charity Event, and the Alumni Leaders forum, all of which will require dedication to planning throughout the summer and the school year to get off the ground.
Contact: Stephanie Sugar

Wellness Committee, dtaglion@uwo.ca

Created this year by the Faculty and the SLS, the law school has begun a Wellness initiative.  Piloted by Student Services, the aim of the Committee is to facilitate programs, events and speakers to help encourage balancing your lifestyle, and awareness and education of mental health issues.  Currently a pilot peer support program is being formed to help aid students with meeting their needs, both academically and personally.

Contact: Daniela Taglioni