Acknowledgement of Intellectual & Artistic Labour
Gemma Smyth
This book is a work of collaboration. The topics covered in this text are vast and cannot be the work of one individual. Indeed, one of the goals of this text is to build on collective knowledge over time.
Law Librarian Meris James and Windsor Law students Priya Sharma and Aarzoo Mahajan brought professional and personal knowledge to this text that strengthened it immensely. Meris James’ chapter on research and writing in a law practice context is a practical guide that take an expansive view of the types of research that arise in an externship context (creative sources sometimes required!).
Former law student (now lawyer) Priya Sharma brought interdisciplinary views from her graduate work in Business to support work on career planning, lifelong learning and professional identity development.
Law student Aarzoo Mahajan brought multi-disciplinary views from her scientific background to support in editing and drafting this open-source book aimed at supporting students entering legal and externship settings.
Law students Rabi Abid and Nicole Couvillon added their thoughtful, real world perspectives to the text.
Artist and scientist Fatima Kadri understood the ecological approach to law practice and brought that idea to life throughout the text.
Andrew Pace updated sections of the text, added memes, and carefully edited several chapters.
Mark Lubrick at the University of Windsor’s Office of Open Learning gave technical and pedagogical support throughout.
Jessica Raffoul lent timely advice on questions of personal and professional identity.
Professor Susan Brooks supported this work in early iterations and gave important insights.
Professor Tess Sheldon influenced the approach to this text in its earliest conceptions.
Dr. Annie Rochette helped confirm the importance of this text in a Canadian context and gave critical analysis of particular sections.
Jeff Carolin encouraged this text in an early form and lent confidence and inspiration.
Because this text is open source and contains hyperlinks throughout, this text equally an act of curation and authorship. Therefore, inspiration for all aspects of this text has been wide and varied. I want to specifically acknowledge the excellent American text for externs entitled “Learning from Practice”.
The author gratefully acknowledges research funding from the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor and the Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor. The author also acknowledges the support of the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan and the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for the opportunity to act as Law Foundation Chair in 2023. This position allowed for time and renewed focus for this work.
