Lenczner Slaght Welcomes Summer Student Class of 2022
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to attract top talent with the addition of 12 exceptional students.
“We are delighted to welcome 12 new summer law student colleagues to the Firm! This group is energetic, enthusiastic and has already demonstrated that they are ready to make a difference,” says Managing Partner, Tom Curry. “Welcome, Lauren Cao, Herschel Chaiet, Mackenzie Faulkner, Derek Hooper, Katarina Kusic, Liza Leshchynska, Lauren Paparousis, Anisha Sivathas, Alex Tuccillo, Alec Verch, Subhah Wadhawan, and Emma Walsh! We are looking forward to an exciting summer, and beyond!”
Learn more about our Summer Student Class of 2022 below.
Lauren Cao recently completed her second year in the JD/Certificate in Environmental Studies program at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. This past year, she balanced her legal studies with clinic-volunteering and mooting. She served as a manager for Artists’ Legal Advice Services, a clinic that provides free legal assistance to artists across Ontario and volunteered as a caseworker in the Employment and Academic Appeals Division of Downtown Legal Services. Lauren has competed in the Willms & Shier Environmental Law Moot, the Hamish Stewart Cup and participated in the first-year Trial Advocacy Program.
Herschel Chaiet is a third-year student at Western University, Faculty of Law. Herschel has worked as a research assistant for Professor Stephen G.A. Pitel, where he investigated the impact of Canadian law on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in the common law world, and as a staff editor for the Western Journal of Legal Studies. He has successfully competed in several trial and appellate advocacy competitions, including the Legate Medical Malpractice Moot, the Cherniak Cup, the Lerners LLP Cup, and the Gale Cup Moot.
Mackenzie Faulkner has completed his second year at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. During law school, he participated in the 2021 Grand Moot and won the 2022 Hicks Morley Labour Moot. His clinic work includes working with Advocates for Injured Workers, to represent low-income workers appealing WSIB decisions, and volunteering with the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights. Next year, Mackenzie will be serving on the Moot Court Committee, which runs the school’s mooting program, and acting as Co-Chief Justice for the 2022 Grand Moot.
Derek Hooper is a JD candidate at Queen’s University, where he also completed his Master’s in Political Studies. While at law school, Derek worked as a Student Caseworker at the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic, as VP Finance of the Queen’s Law Students’ Society, and as Associate Editor of Queen’s Law Journal. Derek is a Dean’s Honour List student and was awarded the Queen’s Law Prize in Introduction to Legal Skills.
Katarina Kusic is going into her third year of law school at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. During the school year, Katarina worked as a caseworker at the Downtown Legal Services Clinic in the Criminal Law and University Offences Division. She is an avid mooter and competed in the Wilson Constitutional Moot this past year, and the Hamish Stewart Cup in her first year. In addition to her clinic work and mooting, Katarina is involved in peer mentorship and has tutored first year students in courses and exam preparation.
Liza Leshchynska is completing her JD degree at Queen’s University, Faculty of Law. During her legal studies, she assisted inmates with institutional and parole matters as a Student Caseworker at the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic and researched judicial notice of racial prejudice in various criminal justice contexts for a professor. She was also heavily involved in the student community as an Orientation Leader and Academic Tutor. She was recognized for her academic achievement when she received the Dean’s Bronze Scholar award for third highest standing in her first year of law school and course prizes in Tort and Property Law.
Lauren Paparousis is currently completing her JD at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. During law school, Lauren worked as a Student Caseworker in the Employment Law and Academic Appeals division of Downtown Legal Services. She is also the Co-President of the University of Toronto chapter of the First Generation Student Network, where she advocates for the interests of first generation students. She has also been involved as a researcher for the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights’ Indigenous Rights Working Group and competed in the Cassels Brock Moot Cup.
Anisha Sivathas is completing her JD at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. During her time in law school, Anisha has been actively involved in the community as a member of the South Asian Law Students’ Association, a volunteer with the Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) program, and a member of the Prisoners' Rights Working Group at the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights. Last summer, Anisha was an Educator with the school’s Youth Summer Program and led the planning and execution of the Trial Advocacy module.
Alex Tuccillo is currently attending the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Although Alex has a diverse set of interests and a continuous curiosity, one thing that has remained consistent during her time at law school has been her passion for oral advocacy. Alex has worked at and volunteered with Legal Assistance of Windsor where she has had the privilege to serve a clientele with complex and multi-faceted needs. This experience representing clients in front of various tribunals solidified her interest in litigation and encouraged her to participate in the Walsh Family Moot.
Alec Verch is completing his legal studies at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. Since beginning law school, Alec has co-founded Lincoln OUTLaws and the Lincoln Alexander Labour and Employment Law Society where he presently serves in executive leadership positions. During his first year, Alec competed in the Canadian National Negotiation Competition where he and his partner were awarded Best Process Management and Analysis Skills. More recently, Alec was an oralist in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. In addition to mooting, Alec led a student research initiative on young workers’ rights which culminated with a report that was submitted to Ontario’s Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee.
Subhah Wadhawan is going into her third year at Osgoode Hall Law School. During the past school year, Subhah worked as a caseworker at Parkdale Community Legal Services Clinic in the Immigration Division where she was also the student representative on the PCLS Board. In addition to her clinic work and working as a research assistant, Subhah was also a senior editor for the Journal of Law and Social Policy. In her first year, Subhah was a summer student at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice where she worked directly with members of the bench.
Emma Walsh is currently completing her JD and BCL degrees from McGill University, Faculty of Law. During her time at McGill, she served as a Research Assistant in Canadian federalism, a Teaching Assistant to first-year students in legal writing, a Student Faculty Council Representative, a Senior Editor on the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law, and a Co-Founder of the Wallenberg Advocacy Group. She also completed three legal clinic placements in areas ranging from immigration to class actions.