Enriching the Student Experience, Expanding our Alumni Network

Cornell Wright (JD/MBA 2000)Volunteer Cornell Wright (JD/MBA 2000)

Creating an engaged, supportive alumni network is crucial to the success of our students, our programs and the Faculty as a whole. For our students, the opportunity to meet with and ask some of our most influential alumni thought-provoking questions, helps shape their U of T Law experience. In the classroom, alumni provide tangible, practical examples to bring lessons to life, and in our programs, the support of our alumni and firm partners enrich the experience for all involved.

Talented and engaged alumni have a wealth of experience and skills to share with our current students.

Upper Year Moot Program Judges

Judges review the factums and bench memo in advance, attend the moot to act as judges, ask questions during oral submissions, and complete a brief evaluation of the mooters. The moot court problems cover a variety of subject areas, including constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, torts, conflicts and oppression.

Information regarding upcoming moot opportunities for the 2023-24 cycle is forthcoming. 

Mentoring

Mentoring

The Alumni-Student Mentorship Program fosters supportive connections between 1L students and alumni. Together with their mentor, students explore the legal profession and benefit from alumni's knowledge and experience. Mentors should have at least four years of professional experience. 

Join the 2023-24 Alumni-Student Mentorship Program

Our office is currently recruiting volunteer mentors for the Faculty of Law's 2023-24 Alumni-Student Mentorship Program!  

The Alumni- Student Mentorship Program fosters supportive connections between 1L students and alumni. Together with their mentor, students explore the legal profession and benefit from alumni's knowledge and experience.   
  
Alumni mentors should be prepared to meet (in-person or virtually) with their mentee throughout the academic year. Please note that you do not need to be located in Toronto to participate in the program and we encourage alumni from all practise areas and industries to participate.

If you are interested in mentoring a U of T Law 1L student, please complete the registration form at the link below by October 17th 2023 at 11:59 PM.  

https://forms.office.com/r/bHMtkkvCj8

Once you complete the registration form, our office will share a list of key dates, mentoring resources, and instructions on how to create/update your profile on U of T Law CONNECT.

Please note that this year we are piloting a “self-serve” mentorship model where students reach out directly to request mentorship via the U of T Law CONNECT platform. We hope this model will allow students to more easily identify mentors that align with their needs and potential career interests.

Program and Event Volunteers & Guest Speakers

Becoming involved in our program and events is a rewarding experience for both alumni and students.

Event Speaker and Moot Judges

The JD Admissions and Career Development offices seek alumni to speak for their various lecture series and student recruitment events. Also, alumni can volunteer as judges and advisors for the law school’s extensive mooting program.

Clinics and Programs

Our legal clinics and programs seek the expertise of our alumni. There are many opportunities to volunteer as an event speaker, lawyer or join an advisory committee. Some clinics and programs include: Downtown Legal Services, International Human Rights Clinic, Law in Action within Schools and the Pro Bono Student Canada U of T Chapter.

Venue or Event Host

Provide a venue for an alumni event (e.g. law firm, restaurant, home etc.)

Volunteer or Support Student Clubs

Transform the student experience through support of Law’s student clubs, co-curricular activities, and experiential learning. 

Alumni Reunion

Reunion Committee Member

Attracting over 500 alumni year over year, the Faculty of Law Reunion is your opportunity to connect with friends, reminisce about your days at law school and connect with colleagues from across the profession and beyond. Committee members assist with planning their class event, encourage attendance and build enthusiasm for the Faculty of Law Reunion.

Post a job opportunity for a U of T Law student

Visit our Career Development Office for more information.  

Volunteer with the Law Alumni Association (LAA)

Law Alumni Association

The Law Alumni Association (LAA) was established to promote the interests of the more than 10,000 graduates of the Faculty of Law, and to encourage the support and engagement of alumni and friends across program and events hosted by the Faculty of Law.

Our graduates include a long list of highly accomplished and respected practitioners, judges, academics, politicians and business professionals in a variety of sectors, all of whom have gone on to find rich and intellectually stimulating careers. 

LAA promotes alumni participation in the law school through events, governance and membership on alumni volunteer boards at both the Faculty and university-wide level. Our alumni contribute a wealth of ideas, talent and energy to student initiatives and programs and maintain strong contacts with the Faculty of Law community.

LAA Council

The Council of the Association comprises 15 elected members and a maximum of four elected officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary; see description of duties), as well as ex-officio members and honourary members, as provided for in the  LAA Constitution.

The Council supervises the conduct of all business of the Law Alumni Association and presents a report of its activities at the Annual General Meetings of the Association. In addition, it formulates and supervises implementation of the policies of the Association.

Find out how you can get more involved

For more information about how you can volunteer or get more engaged with your law school, please contact alumni.law@utoronto.ca.



Law Alumni Association (LAA)

LAA Council Members for 2023-2024

Executive Members of Council

Executive Members of Council

Member

Title

Mark Surchin (JD 1981)

President 

Vacant

Vice-President

Natalie Lum-Tai (JD 2015)

Treasurer

Members of Council

Members of Council

Member

Title

John P. Brown (LLB 1981) 

Council Member 

Steven Elliott (JD 1995)

Council Member

Laura Fric (LLB 1993)

Council Member

Hessam Ghadaki (JD/MA 2007)

Council Member

Krista Hill (LLB 1994) 

Council Member 

Michael Hong ( JD 2004)

Council Member

Tamara Kronis (LLB 1998) 

Council Member 

Brian Livingston (LLB 1980)

Council Member

Bilal Manji (JD 2016)

Council Member

Marcia Moffat (LLB/MBA 1996) 

Council Member 

Laura Zizzo (JD 2007) 

Council Member 

Ex-Officio Members of Council

  • Andrea Burke (LLB 1994) (Immediate Past President)
  • Jutta Brunnée (Dean)
  • Jennifer Lancaster (Assistant Dean, Advancement)
  • Willem Crispin-Frei  (Students Law Society President)
  • Sana Halwani (JD 2004) (UTAA  Representative)
  • Mark Surchin (JD 1981) (Council of Electors Representative)

Honourary Members of Council

  • The Hon. Rosalie S. Abella (1970)
  • The Hon. Robert P. Armstrong (1965)
  • Kirby Chown (1979)
  • The Hon. Bonnie Croll (1977)
  • The Hon. Kathryn N. Feldman (1973)
  • The Hon. Stephen T. Goudge (1968) 
  • The Hon. Horace Krever (1954)
  • The Hon. Michael J. Moldaver (1971)
  • The Hon. John Morden (1959)
  • Lionel H. Schipper (1956)