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Student Success
TRU Law students are motivated to showcase their talent in a variety of ways and achieve success in many forms. In terms of employment, students find jobs in private practice, with government and public interest organizations, in clerkships and as in-house counsel. Click on the tabs below to explore our student profiles.
Our students also land international internships, compete in provincial and national moots, actively organize and engage in on-campus TRU Law and student-led events, and continuously lend their talent and enthusiasm to a variety of other functions and initiatives. TRU Law alumni are also engaged and give back. Check out the TRU Law news feed, which features many stories highlighting our students and alumni.
Job opportunities in private practice include working for small-, mid-, and large-sized law firms or for lawyers who are self-employed, called sole practitioners. Meet some of our students who obtained employment in private practice:
Robyn Cooper (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at McCarthy Tétrault (Vancouver, 2016)
Robyn obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria. She spent the summer after first year as a summer student at the Onni Group, one of North America's leading private real estate developers. Robyn will be returning to McCarthy Tétrault to complete her article, where she will gain valuable experience in a business and real property rotation. Robyn is completing her third year at TRU and is excited to take on her new role as an Editor for the Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Law.
Eric Malysa (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Eric graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Business Administration in 2010 and worked in finance and accounting positions in Calgary before entering TRU Law. At TRU Law Eric sat on the Society of Law Students as the Chair of External Relations and participated in the 2014 McIntyre moot. Eric has returned to his hometown of Calgary to article with the global corporate law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.
Jessica Kruhlak (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at McLennan Ross LLP (Edmonton)
Jessica was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta. During the summer of 2014, she worked with McLennan Ross LLP as a summer student, and will be returning to complete her articles in 2016. McLennan Ross is a well established firm with over 90 lawyers in Edmonton, Calgary and Yellowknife. Jessica is excited to become a part of their team and looks forward to being exposed to the many different areas of the law in which they specialize.
Jessica Demarinis (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Ross & McBride LLP (Hamilton, Ontario)
Jessica grew up in Kelowna, BC and obtained a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from the University of British Columbia. Jessica worked as an Editor for the Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Lawand was thrilled to be a part of the inaugural issue published this past January. Since leaving TRU, Jessica has relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, and is excited to complete her articles with Ross & McBride LLP in August.
Cole Rodocker (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at Blakes, Cassels & Gradon (2016)(Vancouver)
Cole was raised in White Rock, BC and obtained his Bachelor of Arts from UBC in the Okanagan. Cole spent his first year summer volunteering with the Law Students Legal Advice Program in Vancouver and was offered a second year summer position at Blakes in the fall of 2014. Cole will be articling with Blakes in 2016 and looks forward to exploring his interests in Corporate and Commercial law upon his return to the firm.
Tajinder Rathor (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at McCullough O'Connor Irwin LLP (Vancouver, 2016)
Born and raised in the small town of Williams Lake, BC, Tajinder moved to the Lower Mainland in 2009 to attend university. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) with a specialization in Finance from the Sauder School of Business at UBC in 2013. Tajinder will be articling with McCullough O’Connor Irwin LLP (MOI Solicitors), a boutique securities law firm in the heart of downtown Vancouver in 2016.
As many of our students are already discovering, there is an abundance of interesting and challenging legal work outside of the major urban centres. Meet some of our students who obtained employment in the BC Interior:
Matt Livingston (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Hauser Law Corporation (Kamloops)
Matt is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba where he obtained his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 2011. While attending law school, he organized the Annual SLS Golf Tournament Fundraiser and was a panelist in the 2013 SLS Student Conference. Matt has begun his articles with Hauser Law Corporation, a boutique tax firm located in downtown Kamloops.
Kelly Melnyk (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at Duling & Co. (Lumby, 2016)
Kelly, originally from Edmonton, AB, completed her BA with the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, in Camrose, AB. She was one of the Student Directors with the Public Legal Information Project as well as the Academic Director with the TRU Society of Law Students. Kelly is looking forward to returning to Lumby following an enjoyable summer article position with Deuling & Co. coordinated through the Canadian Bar Association’s Rural Education and Access to Lawyers Initiative.
Coral Atchison (TRU JD 2016)
Articling at Morelli Chertkow LLP. (Williams Lake, 2016)
Coral was born and raised in Williams Lake. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree (English/Economics) in Prince George at the University of Northern British Columbia. Coral worked in construction and mining before entering TRU Law. She spent last summer working in Williams Lake for Morelli Chertkow LLP, and will be returning to complete her articles in 2016. Coral looks forward to returning to her hometown and completing her articles in British Columbia’s beautiful interior.
Laura Tsang (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Bilkey Law Corp (Kamloops)
Laura grew up in Vancouver and completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto. She has enjoyed a variety of experiences during law school as a summer research assistant, a teaching assistant, and the managing editor of the Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Law. Last summer, Laura worked at Bilkey Law Corp in Kamloops where she has now returned for her articles.
Sean Davidson (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Heartland Law (Terrace)
During the 2014 summer, Sean was sponsored by the CBABC’s REAL program to work at Talstra Law Corporation, now Heartland Law, in his home town of Terrace, British Columbia. Sean found that working for a small town firm was a fantastic opportunity to gain in-depth experience in a variety of areas. Sean has returned to Terrace to article with Heartland Law.
Jon Arkle (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at Doak Shirreff LLP (Kelowna)
Jonathan comes from Kelowna, British Columbia where he obtained his BA in Philosophy at UBC Okanagan in 2011. Following his second year at TRU Law Jonathan spent his summer working at Doak Shirreff LLP, one of the Okanagan's longest established legal partnerships. Jonathan has returned to complete his articles at Doak Shirreff LLP and is excited to work in BC’s beautiful interior.
Law-related jobs exist at various levels of government, including federal, provincial, municipal, and Aboriginal, as well as in various boards and commissions. Meet some of our students who obtained government-related positions:
Danika Heighes (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at the Ministry of Justice (Criminal Justice Branch)
Danika was born and raised in Kamloops, British Columbia and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Thompson Rivers University in 2012. Danika is completing her articles with the Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Branch in her hometown of Kamloops.
Olivia Harvey (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at the Department of Justice (Calgary)
Olivia grew up in the Comox Valley, BC and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) from the University of Alberta. At TRU Olivia was part of the executive for the Society of Law Students, and she is participating in the McIntyre Cup moot this February. Olivia spent last summer working for the City of Calgary and is moving back to Calgary to complete her articles with the Department of Justice. She will be focusing on criminal, tax and aboriginal law.
Miranda Schmold (TRU JD 2014)
Associate at Jon M Duncan Law Corporation
Miranda is from the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, Prince George and graduated from UNBC in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. The summer before law school she attended the Program for Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan. Miranda articled in Victoria with the Ministry of Justice, Legal Services Branch as their Indigenous articling student. Miranda now works with Jon M Duncan Law Corporation in Prince George.
Christina Matthews (TRU JD 2015)
Articling with the City of Calgary
Christina was born and raised in Vancouver where she completed her undergraduate degree in Criminology, and a Policing Studies Certificate from Simon Fraser University. Prior to law school, Christina gained professional experience in community corrections, victim services, and law enforcement. Christina is articling with the City of Calgary, where she will be exposed to diverse areas of practice; namely, prosecution of bylaws, real estate and expropriation, administrative law, corporate services, and environmental law.
Lawyers who work in public interest typically work within non-profit organizations, law firms, or government agencies to advance social justice issues. Meet some of our students who have worked in public interest positions:
Brianna Meyer (TRU JD 2017)
Interned at Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council
Brianna is currently in her second year of law school at TRU after completing a summer internship in Anchorage, Alaska. She worked for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council – an organization comprised of 70 tribal and First Nation signatory governments. Brianna was actively involved in the implementation of water quality legislation spanning across the Yukon River basin and legal research exploring Indigenous watershed rights. She hopes to apply this experience next summer exploring environmental issues and Indigenous law inside British Columbia.
Ramneet Sierra (TRU JD 2015)
Canadian Lawyers Abroad Fellow at The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
After working for the federal government in Ottawa, Ramneet entered law school to pursue her interests of public policy and social justice. Ramneet interned at the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Nairobi, Kenya where she advocated for the legal interests of women and children on issues such as gender violence, police corruption and child protection. She submitted legislative amendments and policy recommendations to the Kenyan Parliament, and had the opportunity to present before the United Nations.
Ramneet articled with full-service law firm in Vancouver, Remedios and Company where she gained practical experience and comprehensive legal training in a range of legal matters. She was called to the British Columbia in July 2016.
Since then, Ramneet has been awarded a fellowship with the Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers International Program in Kenya. Working alongside international lawyers, consultants and advocates, Ramneet is assisting the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to design and draft legislation that supports administration of justice, access to justice and legal reform.
Chris Albinati (TRU JD 2014)
Articled with the Appeals Department at the Legal Services Society of BC
Chris came to TRU Law from Montréal where he worked as a community radio journalist and won a national award for his coverage of the nationwide protests during the 2009 Gaza massacre. As a law student, Chris focused on building academic initiatives and advocating for Indigenous students by co-founding the annual students law conference and serving as Vice-President of the Indigenous Law Students Association. Chris’s focus on legal research and writing and his commitment to advocacy led to his current position with the Appeals Department at the Legal Services Society of BC where his work often requires him to analyze the historical and social dynamics of law in generating insights into what novel directions the relevant law is going. Chris was called to the Bar in April 2015. In September 2015 he began work on his LLM at Osgoode Hall at York University supported by a Graduate Fellowship from the Law Foundation of British Columbia. His thesis looks at Indigenous blockades as exercises of Indigenous law and considers what the treatment of Indigenous blockades by the Canadian legal system suggests about the rule of law in Canada and the potential for reconciliation. He will explore this thesis through a case-study of the ongoing struggle of the Secwepemc people to have their territorial authority respected and acknowledged.
A judicial clerkship is a prestigious opportunity to work closely with one or more judges to provide assistance in researching issues before the court and writing legal opinions. Meet some of our students who obtained judicial clerkships:
Sarah Fullbrook (TRU JD 2016)
Clerking at the British Columbia Supreme Court (Vancouver)
Sarah Fullbrook was raised in Hope, BC and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Simon Fraser University. Before starting law school Sarah worked as a magazine editor and has applied her research and writing skills to legal studies at TRU. Upon graduating Sarah will be returning to Vancouver to clerk at the British Columbia Supreme Court, after which she will be articling with the Criminal Justice Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Justice.
Julia Roos (TRU JD 2015)
Clerking at the Federal Court of Canada (Ottawa)
Julia is from North Vancouver and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Queen's University. Following her second year at TRU, Julia summered at Hunter Litigation Chambers, a boutique litigation firm in Vancouver. Julia has returned to Hunter Litigation to complete her articles, after which she will be clerking for the Honourable Justice Robert L. Barnes at the Federal Court of Canada in Ottawa.
Brent Ryan (TRU JD 2015)
Clerking at the British Columbia Supreme Court
Brent is from Williams Lake and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alberta before coming to law school. At TRU, Brent was the Vice President of the Society of Law Students and was a teaching assistant for the 1L Fundamental Legal Skills class. After his second year at TRU, Brent worked as a summer articled student at McMillan LLP in Vancouver. Brent has returned to McMillan to complete his articles, after which he will be clerking for the BC Supreme Court.
Lou Hamill (TRU JD 2015)
Clerking at the British Columbia Court of Appeal
Lou grew up in North Vancouver, BC and received her undergraduate degree from Queen’s University where she played on the volleyball team. After her second year, Lou worked as a summer articled student at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP in Vancouver. Lou is currently clerking at the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and will later return to Bull, Housser & Tupper to complete her articles.
Erin Hunter (TRU JD 2015)
Clerking at the the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Erin came to TRU Law as a Registered Professional Forester, hoping to apply her skills in forestry and natural resources in a legal context. She had that opportunity while working at DLA Piper Canada LLP during the summer of 2014. Erin is currently clerking at the BC Supreme Court before returning to DLA Piper Canada LLP to complete her articles.
Working directly for the in-house legal department of a corporation or other organization is a unique and interesting experience. Meet some of our students who obtained in-house positions:
Kelsey Petersen (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at the Fielding and Company
After taking both Sports Law courses offered by TRU Law, Kelsey began to pursue a career in professional sports. Kelsey spent the summer after second year as an Intern with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks where she worked with the Legal, Sales and Corporate Partnerships departments. While completing her articles at Fielding and Company in Camrose, Alberta, Kelsey will also be continuing her quest to become Canada’s first female NHLPA certified agent.
Chris Ross (TRU JD 2015)
Articling at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (Kamloops)
Chris was born and raised in Vancouver. He attended the University of British Columbia where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature for 3 years before coming to law school. He is currently articling in-house with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), which has its head office in Kamloops.
