Welcome Back! Chapter Executives Outline their Goals for 2018/19!

The days are getting shorter, clothing stores are bringing out their fall sweaters, and twenty-somethings are moving into their new apartments. This can only mean one thing: it’s back to school season. 

For some, this means the joy of starting a new year. For others, it’s the fresh start of an exciting internship. And for some of the folks we're lucky enough to work with, it’s equal parts excitement and anxiety about beginning their law degree. For over a decade, law students across Canada have been working with Level to advocate for equitable and accessible legal systems. Level’s student chapters have led many exciting projects, from networking events to panel discussions and conferences. They have produced exceptional research--exploring the leading issues facing Canada’s justice system, from refugee rights to sustainable development.

By: Maitland Shaheen* 

The days are getting shorter, clothing stores are bringing out their fall sweaters, and twenty-somethings are moving into their new apartments. This can only mean one thing: it’s back to school season. 

For some, this means the joy of starting a new year. For others, it’s the fresh start of an exciting internship. And for some of the folks we're lucky enough to work with, it’s equal parts excitement and anxiety about beginning their law degree. For over a decade, law students across Canada have been working with Level to advocate for equitable and accessible legal systems. Level’s student chapters have led many exciting projects, from networking events to panel discussions and conferences. They have produced exceptional research--exploring the leading issues facing Canada’s justice system, from refugee rights to sustainable development.

As this school year begins, we spoke to some of the leaders at Level university chapters across the country to chat all things law school, justice, and their goals for this year.

 


Caleigh Glawson, Chapter President, University of Manitoba 
Photo by Mike Latschislaw

 

When did you think of becoming a lawyer? When you decided to pursue it, what did you have in mind?
I have always wanted to be a lawyer since I was young. I’m sure like most, I had an idealistic view of what the law can do, and I suppose in some ways, I still do. I am still very optimistic that the law is a tool to create meaningful change.

Is volunteer work important to you? What drew you to working with Level as an extracurricular?
Access to justice can be a huge barrier for many people and therefore I think it’s incredibly important to participate in ways that help to bridge the gap. I wanted to get involved with Level as an opportunity to work with other individuals passionate about social justice and changing the status quo.

What would you like to see change in the legal profession, if anything?
More diverse representation in the legal community and a requirement for lawyers to understand the issues that their clients face in accessing legal representation.

Where would you love to be in five years?
Speaking at the appellate level and finding ways to push the law forward.
 


Laura Schemitsch, Chapter President, University of Ottawa
Photo by Kenya-Jade Pinto 

Why did you decide to pursue social justice/human rights law?
It is my goal to become an effective legal advocate for those who struggle to gain substantive equality in Canada. As a woman and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am aware of the barriers that people with various intersecting identities face in accessing basic needs and guaranteed rights in Canada, in particular, the struggles faced by Indigenous communities who experience the ongoing consequences and trauma of colonization. I want to work with other dedicated advocates working to effect change.
 
Is volunteer work important to you? What drew you to working with Level as an extracurricular?
I have been actively involved in each community I have lived in for the past decade. Since moving to Ottawa for law school I have been very dedicated to Capital Rainbow Refuge, a private sponsorship group that helps resettle LGBTQ+ newcomers in Ottawa. I was drawn to Level because I think its focus on community educational initiatives is a really important way of informing more members of our communities about the law and improves access to justice.  
 
What are you most excited about for the incoming school year? What are you goals for your chapter?
I am really excited for the UOttawa Level Chapter to engage with the law school community and collaborate with other clubs to provide informative events. I think that a lot of students would be interested in getting involved with Level and promoting the organization’s goals.

Celia Jutras, Chapter President, Université de Montréal

When did you think of becoming a lawyer? When you decided to pursue it, what did you have in mind?
I always saw the profession as an opportunity to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and further the public good; I wanted to affect societal change.

Why did you decide to pursue social justice/human rights law?
I wanted to contribute to people’s struggles to overcome institutional and everyday inequalities by providing legal, social and political tools to address issues such as those based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, as well as historical practices and exploitation. 

What advice would you give to 1Ls or youth interested in law school?
Take some time for yourself; it is important not to lose sight of things that you were interested in before starting law school. It’s easy to get bogged down in everything that you have to do, but maintaining parts of your life that you enjoyed before law school is important to remaining who you are!
 


Laura Schaan, Chapter President, University of Saskatchewan
 

How has working with Level shaped your law school experience?
For this year I am looking forward to executing a leadership role within my school (as President of the U of S chapter). I think my involvement with Level may have also led to the opportunity that I had this summer to work as a research assistant at CREATE Justice, the Access to Justice research centre at the University of Saskatchewan.

What aspect of Level’s programming has been your favourite to participate in?
Definitely the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program. I think it is such a unique idea for a program, especially in the way that it puts law students face to face with younger students and allows them to pass on some of what they are learning at such an early stage. I also like the idea of putting law students or lawyers out in the community in a more casual setting so people can see that they are just regular people. I am also always impressed by the kids in the program– how they handle themselves and their eager grasp of the concepts.

What are you most excited about for the incoming school year? What are you goals for your Chapter?
We host an annual panel discussion at the College of Law that has always been very well-attended so I would really like to see that continue this year.

What would you like to see change in the legal profession, if anything?
In my experience as a student, I have noticed a lot of interest and emphasis among faculty and student programs to improve access to justice. I am hopeful that attention to this issue would also be present in the legal profession outside of the university environment.

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Interested in founding or joining a chapter at your school? Contact Level's Program Manager, Kenya-Jade Pinto at kenyajade@leveljustice.org. 
Header photo by David Torres

 

Maitland Shaheen is a Level volunteer and incoming senior at the University of Ottawa, studying a joint honours BA in Communication and Political Science. An aspiring lawyer, she is passionate about human rights, feminism and justice. 

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It's Here! 2018/2019 Chapter Theme Report: Environmental Justice in Canada

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Introducing Level's 2018/19 Research and Advocacy Theme: Environmental Justice