Lenczner Slaght Welcomes Summer Student Class of 2024

Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to attract top talent with the addition of 11 exceptional summer students.

“We are delighted to welcome Mina Alam, Catherine Blair, Leah deVries, Noam Epstein Roth, Dalton Liggett, Anna McAllister, Malcolm McCarron, Jacob Powning, Olivia Schenk, Kristina Schmuttermeier, and Anu Sidhu to the firm today,” says Managing Partner, Monique Jilesen. “This is an outstanding group. The firm and our clients will all benefit from the diverse perspectives and energy they bring. Here's to a summer filled with growth, learning, and impactful contributions!”

Learn more about our Summer Student Class of 2024 below.

Mina Alam is completing her JD at the University of Toronto, where she feeds her passion for written and oral advocacy through a variety of subject areas. Mina has volunteered her time to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law Review, was a working group member for the International Human Rights Program, and wrote for Ultra Vires, the faculty’s student-run newspaper. She has successfully represented her school in the Hicks Morley Labour & Employment Law Moot as well as the Harold J. Fox Intellectual Property Moot, where she and her partner won Best Appellant Factum.

Catherine Blair is completing her JD at Queen’s University. At Queen’s Law, Catherine has been involved with the Conflict Analytics Lab, where she assisted in developing Artificial Intelligence-based legal technology to improve access to justice. Catherine has also volunteered with Queen’s Legal Aid to provide legal services to those in need. This year, she represented Queen’s Law at the Harold G. Fox Intellectual Property Moot and was selected to participate in the school’s Grand Moot in September 2024.

Leah deVries is currently completing the Dual JD program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. While at law school, Leah served as a caseworker at both the Criminal Trial Clinic and the International Intellectual Property and Patent Law Clinic at Detroit Mercy. With a strong interest in advocacy, Leah successfully participated in various moots, including as a semi-finalist for the province-wide Tort Moot Competition in 2024. In addition to her clinic work and mooting, Leah is actively involved on campus as a Student Ambassador, Tutorial Assistant, and Student Mentor.

Noam Epstein Roth is completing his JD at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. During law school, Noam worked as a Student Caseworker in the Employment Law and Academic Appeals division of Downtown Legal Services assisting students and low-income employees. Noam has also worked as a Senior Associate Editor on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law Review, conducted research for the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, participated in the Warren K. Winkler Class Actions Moot, and attended Anishinaabe Law Camp in Neyaashiinigmiing on the Bruce Peninsula.

Dalton Liggett is currently completing his JD at Osgoode Hall Law School, where he has served as the Co-President of the Osgoode OUTLaws and as an executive on the Osgoode Advocacy Society. Dalton has volunteered his time as a caseworker in the Workers' Rights Division at Parkdale Community Legal Services, appearing on behalf of his clients at the Small Claims Court and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He has also participated in numerous moots, successfully completed the Osgoode Hall Trial Advocacy program, and was the winner of the 2023 Winkler Negotiation Competition, where he and his co-counsel received the first-place award for Top Negotiating Team.

Anna McAllister is currently enrolled in McGill Law’s joint Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor program. During law school, Anna has taken advantage of multiple experiential learning opportunities; including teaching a legal research and writing small group program for first-year law students, participating in the University of Ottawa’s Copyright Policy Moot, acting as a group assistant for a contract law class, and working with a legal clinic that helps students resolve disputes with the university. In terms of extra-curriculars, Anna is proud to be editor-in-chief of McGill Law’s weekly newspaper, Quid Novi.

Malcolm McCarron is completing his JD at Western University, Faculty of Law. As a law student, Malcolm has participated in numerous moot competitions, including the Hicks Morley Labour & Employment Law Moot, the BLG Labour Arbitration Moot, and the Bowman National Tax Moot, where he achieved semifinalist status and was the top-ranked appellant oralist. In addition to mooting, Malcolm has served as a research assistant in the fields of contract and tort law and holds a position as a caseworker for the Western Intellectual Property & Innovation Legal Clinic.

Jacob Powning is a JD candidate at the University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Law. While at law school, Jacob has worked as a legal research assistant, assisting in the development of the brand new Legal Innovation Lab at UNB Law. His work with the UNB LIL has allowed him to familiarize himself and focus on the emerging challenges of regulating Artificial Intelligence. In addition to working as a legal research assistant, Jacob is actively involved in contributing to the faculty and its community. Most notably, Jacob helped host an Access to Justice Summit at UNB Law, where he interviewed the Chief Justice of New Brunswick.

Olivia Schenk is currently completing her JD at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. An avid mooter, Olivia has competed in several advocacy competitions including the Stewart Cup Moot, Lerners Trial Advocacy workshop, the Legal Innovation and Technology Competition, and most notably, the Fanaki Competition Moot where her team placed first amongst ten other faculties. Olivia is highly involved in her school community. She is currently the Vice President of the Animal Justice Club, where she raises awareness and advocates for more humane and sustainable agricultural practices, and is a staff writer for Ultra Vires.

Kristina Schmuttermeier is a JD Candidate at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. As a law student, Kristina has focused on building her advocacy skills through advocacy courses and the mooting program, including as a participant in the Donald Bowman Tax Moot and in the Nelligan Law Moot, where she placed as a semi-finalist. Kristina also works as a research assistant on a variety of issues, including equity in tax law and transgender rights issues. Kristina has served as an Associate Editor of the Ottawa Law Review and, in her third year, is looking forward to serving as a Senior Editor, along with holding the role of the Journal’s Treasurer.

Anu Sidhu is a JD candidate at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. At law school, Anu passionately serves Pro Bono Students Canada, where she collaborates with a non-profit in Halifax that aims to help marginalized members of the community reintegrate through music and the arts. As a student caseworker, she advises participants on how they can protect their intellectual property rights. Anu also volunteers her time to Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies.