Class B Organizations

Animal Rights Association

An animal rights club is probably the single most effective way to get students active in animal rights at school and make a difference on campus. It’s a platform that enables educators and students to make the greatest amount of change. It also allows you more freedom to discuss animal rights issues in-depth without worries about justifying lessons because of Common Core or being considered too controversial.

Chair:

Sandra Feder (sdoiget@uwo.ca)

Western Art Law Society

The Western Art Law Association will explore pertinent issues in the art law world. Art law is a body of law that regulates the use, creation and marketing of art. Art law is not a separate area of law but instead involves a variety of different law disciplines.   “Art law” may address issues regarding tangible works of fine art and visual art as well as intangible works such as online graphic art and NFTs. The area may also address issues regarding cultural appropriation and the protection of the tangible and intangible work belonging to a country or communities’ unique cultural heritage. Our association hopes to explore this topic in-depth, researching past case law and new and old legislation. We hope to facilitate conversation as well as bring a new and interesting area of law to light for the Western Law student body.

Chairs:

Renée Rankine (rrankin5@uwo.ca)

Liz Whelan (ewhela5@uwo.ca)

BEERisters

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Black Law Students’ Association

The Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) – Western is a chapter of the national student-run non- profit organization, the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. BLSA – Western is focused on sharing academic and professional opportunities with its members as well as creating a community for students at Western. BLSA Western also strives to help prospective law students learn about getting into law school and what a legal career entails.

Chair:

Jaidyn McEwen (jmcewen7@uwo.ca)

Business Law Society

The Business Law Student Society (“BLSS”) is dedicated to helping Western Law students discover what the area of Business Law has to offer them. BLSS hopes to eliminate the perception that you need to have a business background in order to go into Business Law. Business Law overlaps with many other areas of law including Contract Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labour Law, and Criminal Law (just to name a few!). It also covers fascinating issues such as insider trading, mergers and acquisitions, and white collar crimes. Join the BLSS this year as we provide students with the opportunity to take part in competitions, network with industry professionals, and learn more about Business Law through social events.

Chairs:

Peter Sypnowich (psypnowi@uwo.ca)

Namya Tandon (etandon5@uwo.ca)

Canadian US Law Institute

The Canada – United States Law Institute (CUSLI) was founded in 1976 as a joint creation of Western Law and Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. The institute is a bi-national, non-for-profit, multidisciplinary entity that acts as a forum for the discussion of legal issues arising in the Canada-U.S. context. The organization sponsors conferences, forums, research opportunities, student internships and academic competitions.

The CUSLI Student Forum offers students the opportunity to compare the differing Canadian and U.S. approaches to different legal issues. Past topics have included the opioid crisis, firearm regulation, marijuana legalization and same-sex marriage. Students are also encouraged to apply for positions on the editorial board of the student led Canada-U.S. Law Journal.

Chairs:

Harleen Cheema (hcheema.hba2024@ivey.ca)

Lindsay Young (lyoung84@uwo.ca)

Peter Sypnowich (psypnowi@uwo.ca)

Charter Society

The Charter Society is an organization unique to Western Law whose purpose is to educate the general public about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as provide a forum for law students to learn about and discuss the Charter. We work on community education initiatives to engage the general public in conversations about the Charter, such as through our annual “Charter Exhibition” event, where we provide Charter posters to the public and highlight key Charter Rights and cases. We also host guest speakers, as well as social events for law students to discuss contemporary issues relating to Charter Rights, Freedoms, and Values. All are welcome and encouraged to join!

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Christian Law Fellowship

The Christian Legal Fellowship provides a place for students to gather together for prayer meetings, Bible studies, and have discussions about faith and law. CLF hosts several events throughout the year where students can really get to know each other, and organizes some community volunteering opportunities. There is also an annual CLF student conference, where members from all 14 CLF law school chapters gather to learn more about practicing law as a person of faith.

Chairs:

Mark Penner (mpenner9@uwo.ca)

Amanda Enwright (aenwrigh@uwo.ca)

Western Law Climbing Club

Chairs:

Matthew Wronko (mwronko2@uwo.ca)

Lydia Zomparelli (lzompare@uwo.ca)

Criminal Law Students Association

The Criminal Law Students’ Association strives to bridge the gap between academic studies of criminal law and life as a criminal lawyer. Our aim is to increase interest in criminal law and to provide information and experiences to students already interested in this area through events such as our criminal trial moot program, detention centre tours, career panels and social events.

Chairs:

Nicole Dietz (ndietz@uwo.ca)

Delaney Dilmore (dgilmor2@uwo.ca)

East Asian Law Students Association

The East Asian Law Students Association’s main purpose is to promote East Asian culture within the law school and a place for law students to gather and celebrate East Asian activities. Every year the committee facilitates networking events for students with East Asian lawyers in Toronto to provide a little more insight about working in the legal field as an East Asian. Moreover, the committee hosts a Chinese New Years Dinner to celebrate the academic year.

Chairs:

Elaine Yang (eyang59@uwo.ca)

Jason Kim (ikim56@uwo.ca)

Eric Lee (hlee747@uwo.ca)

Entertainment & Sports Law Association

The Entertainment & Sports Law Association (ESLA) aims to introduce students to the legal opportunities in the entertainment and sports industry. The ESLA is composed of students interested in combining their legal studies with their passion for all aspects of this exciting industry: music, film and television, sports, media, and more. The entertainment and sport industry creates unique legal challenges that require specialized knowledge in substantive areas of the law including civil procedure, contract law, corporate law, copyright law, labor law, and real estate law. ESLA’s mission is to expose our members to these areas through networking and speaker events. We also hold an annual internal moot competition with the winners representing Western Law at the Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada. Email: eslawesternlaw@gmail.com

Chairs:

Samir Chadha (schadha7@uwo.ca)

Taylor Meek (tmeek@uwo.ca)

Western Law’s Entrepreneurial Organization (WLEO)

Chair:

Razeen Moubarak (rmoubar2@uwo.ca)

Western Environmental Law Association

The Western Environmental Law Association (WELA) aims to promote environmental awareness and explore opportunities in the field. WELA will invite guest speakers to present their research to students, and hold educational seminars to inform students about environmental legal issues. We also aim to connect students with other individuals who hold an interest in environmental law. WELA encourages all students to apply, as well as attend events throughout the year at Western Law.

Chair:

Sammi Cloth (scloth.hba2025@ivey.ca)

Western Family Law Students Association

Chair:

Nicole Dietz (ndietz@uwo.ca)

Fashion Law Society

The Fashion Law Society (“FLS”) is the premier club for Western Law students who are interested exploring the niche area of Fashion Law. Fashion Law is a growing area that encompasses many different aspects of law and business issues including IP, labour and employment, licensing, environmental law, and international law. The Fashion Law Society will host expert panels, podcast events, and group discussions. If you love fashion and you love law, this is the club for you!

Chairs:

Lizzy Whelan (ewhela5@uwo.ca)

Raza Husnain (rhusnain@uwo.ca)

First Generation Network Club

The First Generation Network is a non-profit organization aiming to reduce barriers law students face who are first in their family to complete post-secondary education. We work closely with law firms and student organizations to help first generation students prepare for their future legal careers.

Chair: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Law Foodies

Chair:

Sarah Cvetkovski (scvetko2@uwo.ca)

Addie Naprawa (anaprawa@uwo.ca)

Victoria Stephenson (vstephe4@uwo.ca)

Western Law French Society

The Western Law French Society’s mission is to showcase and promote Francophone culture in Western Law. We aim to highlight the culture and the benefits of speaking French, as well as introduce you to the francophone opportunities Western Law has to offer. Come join us for movie nights, trivia events, and more!

Chairs:

Ethan Hardy (ehardy26@uwo.ca)

Nicole Dotson (ndotson@uwo.ca)

Gender and the Law Association

GALA believes that gender and the law are inextricably linked. We work to raise awareness and advocate change in gender-based injustices in law and in the legal profession. GALA aims to approach this change with an intersectional feminist lens. We encourage people of all genders to join our anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial efforts. Some of our work includes: organizing an annual internal moot competition, hosting various speaker events, arranging a trip to Yale Law School’s Rebellious Lawyering Conference, organizing #LawNeedsFeministBecause campaigns, updating the community about relevant court cases and current events, and sharing other gender-related resources. GALA is one of the few student organizations at Western Law to regularly welcome first-year students to serve as executive members . Visit us on Facebook or Twitter (@uwogala) to learn more about our activities.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Health Law Association

The Health Law Association organizes events and activities designed to introduce students to the field of health law. We aim to facilitate connections between students and practitioners and to make students aware of potential career opportunities in health law. We host events on a variety of health law related topics such as medical malpractice, health law policy and professional discipline. The Health Law Association is proud to hold the annual Legate Medical Malpractice Moot. The moot provides 32 students with practical trial-level advocacy experience in the health law field.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Hot Ones

Western Law Hot Ones is a club for students with a love for all spicy food and is dedicated to the complexities of hot sauces on the palate. This organization will unite Western Law students who love spicy food and even sometimes the pain associated with eating said spicy food. With the name referencing the popular YouTube show, the main vehicle of choice on which to taste the various sauces will be the chicken wing, although our members will be able to try a variety of spicy foods varying in Scoville levels. During the events, some legal/Scoville related multiple choice questions will be asked to the members. Whoever achieves the highest score at the end of the night will be crowned the Hottest Legal Mind* until the next event and will have first choice in determining what the next events tasting will be. The chicken wing is our main vehicle as it provides many benefits that other mediums may not, most notably is the ability to prepare the wing in a manner that is ‘palate neutral’. This allows only the sauces to elicit a response from the taste buds, truly enabling even the most novice of sauce connoisseurs to experience an in-depth comparison of a variety of sauces. IF YOU LOVE SPICY FOOD THIS IS THE CLUB FOR YOU!!!

The club (under it’s former name) had notable events such as:

• A Scoville challenge were members could taste some of the hottest sauces that were available at the time
• A comparison of how different peppers can alter the taste of a traditional fermented hot sauces
• A fruit based hot sauce experience that provided insight into how to couple the heat of peppers with the sweetness of fruits

Chair:

Michael DeVito (mdevito2@uwo.ca)

Western Human Rights Society

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Ipso Facto

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

In Vino Veritas

Aims to educate our student body about the intricate and fascinating world of wine, including wine appreciation, the wine making process, and wine etiquette. We are committed to promoting sustainability and supporting the local economy by familiarizing students with the quality of Ontario wines and creating awareness for the wine-making regions of Canada. The club’s goal is to bridge the gap between past and present students by organizing events where alumni and students can network in a relaxed atmosphere. This year our aim is to help 1Ls and upper years come together virtually for safe and responsible wine education.

Chair:

Michael Devito (mdevito2@uwo.ca)

Indigenous Students Organization

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Intellectual Property Association

Western Intellectual Property Association (WIPA) is a student-run organization dedicated to helping students that are interested in pursuing a career in the IP practice area. WIPA acts as a liaison between the law school and student body to provide information on Western Law’s Intellectual Property, Information and Technology (IPIT) Area of Concentration. Each year, WIPA’s 1L representatives organize a firm tour of Toronto law firms to help students build a professional network. We also host multiple events, such as panels with established practitioners sharing their experience in emerging areas of IP, and social events to meet others who share a common interest in IP.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western International Law Association

Western’s International Law Association (ILA) aims to provide students interested in international law with resources to better understand and seek opportunities in the field. International Law takes many forms and there are a variety of career pathways that can be pursued. Past events have included a panel discussion on careers in international law, a Fireside Chat discussion on international environmental law and a presentation by UN Special Rapporteur (and Western Law Professor) Michael Lynk. We hope you consider joining ILA and are looking forward to meeting you all soon!

Chairs:

Samantha Steeves (ssteeve7@uwo.ca)

Nandini Nair (nnair4@uwo.ca)

Brenda Passariello (bpassari@uwo.ca)

Italian Students Law Society

The Italian law student society’s main purpose is to promote Italian culture within the law school and a place for all law students to gather and celebrate Italian activities. Every year the committee facilitates networking events for students with Italian lawyers and professionals in Toronto to provide a little more insight about working in the legal field as an Italian. Moreover, the committee plans to host a variety of Italian festivals, each year it will be a different Italian festival that will be focused on. We encourage students of all ethnicities to join the club as we would like to welcome everyone to La(w) Famigilia!

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Jewish Law Society Association

The JLSA is part of a network of Jewish law student organizations across Canada. We primarily serve as an informal source of support and advice for our members, while occasionally organizing educational and social events throughout the school year. Some of our events have included monthly lunchtime seminars, Shabbat dinners, multi-faith programs, and pub nights. We are committed to enriching your Jewish experience at law school and are always open to new ideas for events.

Chairs:

Ethan Levy (elevy22@uwo.ca)

Misha Apel (mapel@uwo.ca)

Western Journal of Legal Studies

Founded in 2011 by Western Law students, the Western Journal of Legal Studies is a student-run and open-access on-line law review dedicated to the publication of original, intellectually-provocative, and academically rigorous contributions to legal scholarship. In working to promote open-access legal scholarship in Canada, the WJLS provides opportunities for law students at Western to engage in the critical assessment, editorial preparation, and final publication of academic papers on pressing legal topics. The WJLS welcomes high-quality submissions from students, legal professionals, and academics. The WJLS is an excellent way to improve your legal writing skills, gain exposure to different intellectual perspectives and approaches to legal scholarship, and network with the legal community. We encourage all first-year students to apply for the Staff Editor position this fall, regardless of your editorial experience. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone on the Executive Team if you have any questions!

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Labour and Employment Law Society

Western Law’s Labour and Employment Law Society (“LELS”) is a student-run organization promoting the practice and study of labour, employment and everything in between. We organize several career-building and social events throughout the year, including a pub night, several moots, a career panel and a tour of Toronto’s leading labour and employment firms.

Whether you’re passionate about business or social justice; see yourself representing employers, unions or individual employees; or whether you’re looking for the rush of litigation and advocacy, the intricacies of drafting contracts or the thrill of striking a deal and connecting with others—whatever it was that brought you to law school, chances are you’ll find it in labour and employment law.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

LEVEL

We are a student chapter of the Canadian charitable organization Level: Changing Lives Through Law. Level’s mission is to ‘level’ barriers to justice by disrupting prejudice, building empathy and advancing human rights. We envision a world where every person is treated with dignity, can exercise their fundamental human rights, and has the opportunity to thrive.

Since 2005, Level’s Chapter Program has motivated tomorrow’s lawyers, leaders and change-makers to champion social justice causes and make positive contributions to their communities. Focused on an annual theme, the Western Law chapter organizes community events and fundraisers, drafts and disseminates educational information, and hosts conferences.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Litigamers

Litigamers is a student organisation that is devoted to fostering an increased appreciation for tabletop games among Western Law’s student body. Our aim is to provide a space where students can meet and socialise with one another, learn to play a variety of games, and take a breather from their legal studies.
We encourage any interested students to check us out.

Your skill level is irrelevant—we all start out as beginners!—and our events are structured with flexibility and low-level commitment in mind. We look forward to meeting you!

Chairs:

Mickey Juranka (mjuranka@uwo.ca)

MENALSA

The ​Middle Eastern & North African Law Students’ Association (MENALSA)​ aims to connect Western Law students to the broader MENA legal community by creating professional development and networking opportunities for our members. MENALSA brings students together through teamwork on pertinent advocacy and public education, and by organizing informational panels and cultural events.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Mining Law Society

Mining Law is committed to creating the connection between law and the natural resources and environment industries. Whether you have a connection to these sectors, or you are merely interested in learning more about law in these areas, mining law wants to help. The club also supports students wishing to complete the Global Sustainability Certificate offered through Western Law. Our primary events in the year are a trip to a mine site, and a trip to Toronto for the annual mining convention: the PDAC.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

OUTLaws

OUTLaws Western provides a positive space for self-identified queer law students and allies, and nurtures a queer-positive community at Western Law.

We are part of the Canada-wide OUTLaws network that deals with queer issues across the country.

OUTLaws Western provides a forum to examine law, gender expression, and sexual orientation. We strive to increase visibility of queer people and legal issues through social events, and by hosting speakers, engaging in activism, and organizing professional development events.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Chairs:

Katie Gosen (kgosen@uwo.ca)

Peer Support

The Peer Support Program is a confidential service, run by students for students, to assist in managing the trials and tribulations of law school. The Program seeks to pair students up with an upper year or same year Mentor based on need and similarity. The Mentor and client sit down to collaborate and find effective solutions to their current needs. During the session, the client is able to discuss freely and openly with their Mentor anything they want to in a confidential setting. In the past, sessions have included topics such as: managing the law school work load, living away from home for the first time, navigating the job recruitment process, and social life at law school. The Program is a great resource for students facing difficulties in law school and who want to have a supportive and safe outlet to discuss their current challenges with another student.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Personal Injury and Insurance Law Association

Personal injury (PI) and insurance law are growing fields and for this reason we have noticed more interest in these practice areas among our peers. The main goal of a personal injury and insurance law association is to provide opportunities for students at Western Law to broaden their understanding and knowledge of PI and insurance law and to meet, collaborate, and learn from other students who share this interest. We hold primarily educational events, with PI and insurance law professionals coming to give talks or sit on panels which we host at Western Law. We also host firm tours in London and Toronto to provide students with opportunities to meet PI and insurance professionals and learn about these practice areas, and socials, in collaboration with other student organizations, where students can meet other students interested in PI and insurance law.

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western Law Portuguese Association

The Western Law Portuguese Association (WLPA) is an inclusive club designed to promote the Lusophone (Portuguese speaking countries) culture within and beyond the Western Law community. The WLPA is in its inaugural year (2021) and we are planning to host networking events for students with Portuguese lawyers and professionals in Toronto. In addition to being mentees, we are hoping to start a mentorship program where Western Law students are mentors to undergraduate students who are interested in law school. We will also be sharing external scholarship opportunities Western Law Lusophone students may be eligible for! Please reach out if you have any questions. All is welcome!

Chairs:

Shawn Medeiros (smedei24@uwo.ca)

Running from the Law

“Running from the Law” is Western Law’s running club. The club organizes two runs every week and occasionally organizes social events for those that participate. Whether you are new to running or a marathon master, all paces are welcome!

Chairs:

Mark Penner (mpenner9@uwo.ca)

Runnymede Society

Tired of an unchallenged orthodoxy of ideas? Seeking open discussion of serious legal issues? Interested in networking with the largest group of freethinking professors, practitioners, and judges in Canada? Look no further!

The Runnymede Society is an apolitical national law student organization dedicated to exploring the ideas and ideals of constitutionalism, classical liberalism, and the rule of law. Through on-campus debate and discussion, our mission is to ensure free speech and intellectual diversity remain an active part of Canadian law school life.

Regardless of your personal politics, if you are interested in participating in the front-lines of Canadian legal culture, then this is the organization for you. To learn more about Runnymede, the benefits it offers, and how to join, please visit our website: www.runnymedesociety.ca

Chair:

Dean Barlett (dbarlett@uwo.ca)

Western Law Real Estate Association

The Real Estate Association’s primary goal is to help provide education, guidance, and a networking opportunity for those interested in a career in real estate law. Our association will help clarify what career options exist in the field of real estate, such as through speaker panels hosted by Western Law graduates. These lawyers will be from both large and small firms so that students are exposed to the various areas that exist within the real estate practice generally. Given that only one real estate course is offered at Western each year, our association can be a means by which students can better assess whether a career in real estate is right for them.

Chairs:

Megan Devito (mdevito2@uwo.ca)

Megan Brohman (mbrohma2@uwo.ca)

South Asian Law Students Association

The South Asian Law Students’ Association (SALSA) celebrates equity and diversity. We are a student group that is open to everyone in the Western Law community who is curious to learn more about the South Asian community, culture, and cuisine. SALSA aims to add to the diversity of the clubs already present at Western Law by providing students with yet another opportunity to get involved in the school’s community. SALSA respects and celebrates the diversity and multiculturalism of the student body at Western Law and hopes to provide members with networking opportunities through lectures, panels, and social events.

Chairs:

Simran Joshi (sjoshi85@uwo.ca)

Jasleen Aujla (jaujla5@uwo.ca)

Western Law Ski and Snowboard Club

Chairs: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Students for Truth and Reconciliation

The aspiration of our committee is to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s “Calls to Action.” Additionally, our goal is to further Indigenous law instruction, encourage community engagement, and increase Indigenous student representation in the Western Law student body.

None of us are Indigenous, and our ultimate hope is that this group will be replaced by a group of Indigenous students.”

Chairs:

Misha Apel (mapel@uwo.ca)

Isaac Wright (iwrigh@uwo.ca)

Jasleen Aujla (jaujla5@uwo.ca)

Western Law Tax Association

The Tax Law Association aims to provide more information and clarity about the work of a Tax Lawyer. The committee invites industry leading Tax experts to speak about their work and creates an unique opportunity for law students to learn about the inner workings of Tax Law. Moreover, the committee aims to provide opportunities for students to learn more about Tax Law and hopefully promote more students to consider Tax Law as a career.

Chair: This org is soliciting new chairs! If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact the SLS VP Student Affairs.

Western’s Technology and the Law Club

WTLC seeks to connect students with technology law professionals and expose them to what practicing in this area of law is like. As technology is a growing part of business in all sectors, we are excited for the opportunities that this will present law students. Some key areas of technology law that the club will provide awareness and interaction with for students include the protection of trademarks, patents and copyrights, the raising of capital through loans or investments, employee contracts and other employment issues, the formation of entities such as partnerships and corporations, the navigation of market launches, and the negotiation of commercial contracts.

Chairs:

Areeb Daimee (adaimee@uwo.ca)

Rumsha Daimee (rdaimee@uwo.ca)

Western Women In Law

Chairs:

Ursula Kenkel (ukenkel@uwo.ca)

Maddy Cummings (mcummi22@uwo.ca)