About the Editor & Authors

Authors

Rabi Abid

Rabi Abid holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University and minored in Indigenous studies. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and reading. Rabi received her JD at the University of Windsor. She received a Social Justice Fellowship and pursued a placement at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre where she assisted clients with their rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. She also participated in the Migrant Farmworkers Clinic where she provided legal support, engaged in community organization, and worked on legal reform projects to address the complex needs of precarious workers. Rabi further participated in the Health Justice Clinic for Mental Health and Addiction to provide legal services to consumers and survivors of mental health and addiction services. She also worked as a Research Assistant for various professors. Rabi is currently an Articling Student at Fomcenco Law.

Yasmina Aldohan Aboudaba

Yasmina Aldohan’s passion for law was ignited when she saw a lawyer advocate for her family as refugees at the Canadian border. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Law & Society from York University, where she discovered the profound impact of laws on individuals and communities. Yasmina furthered her education with a master’s degree in Socio-Legal Studies from York University, focusing on how the language used in laws and their application are crucial for effectively implementing and understanding these laws. After graduation, she worked with various non-profits, assisting youth, survivors of domestic violence, Indigenous communities, and marginalized groups. These experiences prepared her for law school at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, where she has had the privilege of learning from a diverse cohort and honing her advocacy skills. Yasmina is committed to using her background and education to make a meaningful difference in the field of law.

Maryam Aziz

Maryam Aziz (she/her) is currently enrolled in the single JD program at the University of Windsor. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Political Science. Maryam is deeply committed to protecting the rights of low-income Muslims and advocating for women’s rights. She values experiential learning and reflection, which inspired her to pursue an externship placement at Muslim Legal Support Centre, where she was able to combine her legal expertise with her passion for advocating for Muslim women’s rights. Maryam enjoys getting involved in her local community as well as her law school community, where she served as the President of the Muslim Law Student Association and volunteered as a peer mentor.

Sakithyan “Sai” Bala

Sai (he/him/his) is a graduate of Windsor Law’s class of 2024. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto and founded Lawfluent Law Clerk Services, offering freelance legal services to lawyers in the GTA, after gaining extensive experience as a Senior Law Clerk. His practical experiences, including roles as a law clerk at Niro Law, a summer student at Pyzer Criminal Lawyers, and a judicial intern at the Ontario Court of Justice, have shaped his passion for criminal law. Sai’s participation in Windsor Law’s mooting competitions, notably as a finalist in the Transnational Moot Competition, fueled his advocacy interests. He will be articling at the Peel Crown Attorney’s office. Sai’s community engagement as a classical South Indian percussion teacher and performer further enriches his legal pursuits and sense of community. His leadership in Windsor Law’s student societies, PBSC’s Windsor Chapter, and contributions to publications like Slaw and the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues highlight his commitment to law and community.

Graham Black

Graham graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2024 and is articling at MLT Aikins in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He recently served as president of the Law Students’ Association, where he contributed to various student initiatives. Graham’s interest in law began while playing professional hockey in the American Hockey League, where he assumed the role of player representative for the Albany Devils during CBA negotiations. After retiring from hockey, he pursued higher education at the University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business, developing a keen interest in finance and computer science. Outside of his legal work, Graham enjoys coaching youth hockey in Saskatoon and playing classical music, singing, and songwriting. Graham intends to remain in Saskatchewan and pursue a career in civil litigation.

Sarah Botros

Sarah Botros is a third-year law student at the University of Windsor, currently expanding her academic experience as an exchange student. She has a deep passion for traveling, exploring new cultures, and broadening her global perspective. Outside her legal studies, Sarah is an avid art enthusiast, often expressing her creativity through painting and photography. Her long-term goal is to combine her love of law and education by becoming a professor, where she hopes to inspire future generations of legal professionals.

Meris Bray

Reference Librarian Meris Bray (they/them/theirs) holds a multidisciplinary BA, and a MLIS from Western University. They have extensive work experience at the LSO’s Great Library, the University of Alberta, and the University of Windsor, totaling nearly a decade and a half of providing practical legal research assistance to students, articling students, and lawyers. Previously, they have been invited to speak at the Edmonton Law Library Association’s Headstart program for articling students, LSO Continuing Legal Education seminars, and a range of law school classes. As a law librarian, they believe their role is to focus on helping learners build practical, practice-ready legal research skills, and they offer expertise not only in how to do legal research, but also in the practicalities of life and research in the “real world.”

David Cormier

Nicole Couvillon

Nicole Couvillon (she/her/hers) is a graduate of the JD program at the University of Windsor. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and subsequently worked as a registered nurse. From her nursing education and experience, Nicole has an appreciation for experiential learning and reflection, which influenced her in seeking out an externship placement at a local hospital while in law school, where she was able to tie together her healthcare and legal knowledge, connecting law and patient advocacy. Nicole enjoys engaging with her local community, and enjoyed engaging with her law school community, including through her work as a lead tutorial assistant for the law school’s Academic Success Program, her volunteerism as a peer mentor, and through her volunteerism with Pro Bono Students Canada Windsor Law Chapter. Nicole has been committed to academics at the University of Windsor and was the recipient of the Law (JD) 2023 Board of Governors In-Course medal and the 2024 Board of Governors medal for academic excellence. Nicole has worked for local lawyers in the community, and as a summer student for Legal Assistance of Windsor. She looks forward to continuing to engage in the Windsor legal community during her articling term and throughout her career.

Jennifer Dann

Jennifer graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2024 and is articling with the Ministry of Justice in Regina, Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina with a focus on Indigenous Studies and Justice Studies. During her time at the College of Law, she held the position of the Career Representative and the Canadian Bar Association Representative for the Indigenous Law Students Association. She became interested in law when she realized how much of an injustice Indigenous peoples face in the Justice system and learning more about Land Claims in her classes. Outside of law, she is busy with her 4 children supporting their dreams and goals, as well as being a fur mom to 3 animals: Kiwi, Yoda and Daisy. She hopes to practice child protection law and Aboriginal Law once her articles are complete.

Gabby Gibbs

Dawn Hadwen

Dawn Hadwen (she/her/hers) grew up in Cobourg, Ontario, a small town that significantly fostered her passion for community involvement and her desire to help others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies with concentration in business law and philosophy from Carleton University. As a JD student at the University of Windsor, she is actively involved in the school community, serving as the president of the Animal Justice Association as VP of Communications for the Disability Student Law Society at Windsor Law. Dawn’s immersion in housing law through her experiential learning placement during law school led directly to her current role as a student caseworker at the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. As a current research assistant for the Law, Disability, and Social Change project, Dawn aims to engage in research projects that address the interconnected issues of housing rights, and disability advocacy, aspiring to create a significant impact within these fields of law.

Jia Hwang

Jia recently graduated from the Juris Doctor program at the University of Windsor. The opportunities provided to her by the experiential placements were invaluable in building her interest in community-based initiatives and advocacy. During her second year of law school, Jia worked at Legal Assistance of Windsor, a community legal clinic. After participating in several moots throughout law school, Jia later served as a Judge for the Research and Writing Moot and Co-Chair of Windsor Law’s Mooting Committee. In her third year, Jia worked as a Legal Extern at the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, assisting governments and policymakers in addressing systemic housing issues and developing rights-based housing policies. Concurrently, she held leadership roles as the 3L Representative for the Asian Law Students’ Association and as the Women’s Committee Student Executive for the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Ontario Chapter).

Jamie Holmes

Jamie Holmes (she/her) is a third-year student in the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor. Jamie is Haudenosaunee from Six Nations of the Grand River but has grown up in the Lambton County region. She attended Windsor as a mature student with a professional background focused on criminal justice and Indigenous criminal justice and community justice. Her professional background also centered on access to justice for those residing in First Nation communities. Prior to law school she worked extensively in the Sarnia and Walpole Island First Nation Indigenous Persons Court as well as with a sole practioner on Walpole Island handling criminal, child protection and aboriginal law files.

Jamie’s passion for Indigenous criminal justice initiatives and community justice has continued throughout her law school journey. Outside of school Jamie volunteers her time with various Indigenous focused organizations and regularly attends ceremonies. Although Jamie is Haudenosaunee, she her teachings are Anishinaabe.

Dusty Johnstone

Dusty Johnstone (she/her) is the Director of Sexual Violence Prevention, Resistance, and Support at the University of Windsor, which is located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy. Since 2016, she has been responsible for shaping the University of Windsor’s institutional strategy for sexual violence prevention and survivor support. Dusty has been studying and working in the field of gender-based violence for almost 20 years and completed her PhD in Applied Social Psychology in 2013, with a focus on sexual violence. Her approach to trauma-informed practice and trauma-informed lawyering is guided by the frontline work she continues to do on a daily basis with survivors. Dusty is guided by a neurobiological approach to trauma and is invested in developing and teaching trauma-informed practices that center compassion, creativity, and problem solving.

Emily Kydd

Emily came to Windsor Law after 15 years working in community social service and international non-profit work. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria and a Masters in Disaster Management, Emily was drawn to Windsor Law for it’s focus on access to justice and critical engagement of socio-legal issues. Emily is particularly interested in sex work and substance decriminalization, criminal justice reform and abolition, and the rights to dignity, safety and security of marginalized communities. While at Windsor, Emily was the founding president of the OWLS, the mature law students club, as well as the Harm Reduction Project. Born and raised in British Columbia, Emily loves all things outdoors, especially hiking, paddleboarding and kayaking. She loves to travel via air or road trip and is truly passionate about two things: her Jamaican rescue cat Michelle Obama and her Goodreads Reading Challenge.

Asvini Kulanayagam

Aarzoo Mahajan

Aarzoo Mahajan (she/ her/ hers) is a current JD student and has a variety of placement opportunities that have contributed to her appreciation for experiential learning. Having a heavy background in health science as well as sociology has allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of how law plays an essential role in regulating science and technology. As a member of the governance board at the University of Manitoba, Aarzoo learned how to act on governance policies at a greater level whilst maintaining a high level of professionalism and managing many tasks and deadlines. Additionally, Aarzoo has experience at the Legal Assistance of Windsor where she managed various client files on disputes relating to the Ontario Disability Support Program and the HIV Legal Network where she engaged in both written and oral advocacy opportunities. Both opportunities allowed Aarzoo to work directly with human rights and health equity issues in both a local and international context. Aarzoo also has experience with the EpiCenter Practicum in Intellectual property. In this experiential learning opportunity, Aarzoo had the opportunity to build relationships with entrepreneurs and engage in legal research pertaining to trademarks, patents, and copyright issues. The culmination of these roles has allowed her to successfully support Professor Gemma Smyth, as a research assistant, in editing and drafting an online, open-source book aimed at supporting students entering legal workplaces and externships settings.

Andrew Pace

Andrew Pace (he/him/his) is a graduate of the dual JD program between the University of Windsor and University of Detroit Mercy. He has placement experience in both the United States and Canada which has formed his appreciation for experiential learning. Andrew currently works as a policy analyst with Talent Beyond Boundaries, an NGO which works with governments, partners, and the private sector to develop skilled immigration pathways for refugees and other forcibly displaced people. He is simultaneously articling with their preferred immigration partner, Fragomen Canada. While at Windsor Law he worked as a research assistant for Professor Gemma Smyth. They co-authored an article on Municipal ID programs which was published by the Windsor Law Centre for Cities. Prior to law school, Andrew completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto and a Master’s at McMaster University. His Master’s major research project examined the role of the sanctuary city movement in the United States under the Trump Administration. His research focuses on durable policy solutions addressing migrant rights and labour mobility.

Tania Sleman

Tania Sleman (she/her/hers) is a current JD student with a wide range of placement opportunities that have contributed to her appreciation for experiential learning. Tania obtained her HBSc in Psychology and Biology at the University of Toronto and later obtained her MA in Bioethics at New York University. Her interdisciplinary exploration of ethical issue combined with her law school studies has allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of how the law plays an essential role in regulating new and emerging technologies and the ethical dilemmas that surround their integration into society. As a community member of the Research Ethics Board at The Hosptial for Sick Children, Tania learned how to advocate for patients and their families while she maintained a high level of professionalism and gained insight into how new technologies and medications are researched and implemented.  Additionally, Tania has experience within the Pro Bono Students Canada, Windsor Law Chapter, wherein she had the opportunity to participate within the Interviewing Diverse Perspectives project, capturing the diverse perspectives of lawyers within equity seeking groups for current law students hoping to pursue their paths. Finally, Tania’s experience within the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly in Toronto allowed her to hone her oral and written advocacy skills while providing legal assistance to elder adults and gaining exposure to various areas of elder law. These roles have allowed her to successfully understand her passion for advocacy and grow as a law student and future lawyer.

Kacey Vooght

Kacey Vooght obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2024. Kacey also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Saskatchewan. In the final year of her law degree, Kacey participated in an experiential learning placement which provided a glimpse into the broad applicability of a law degree beyond the traditional law firm setting. Kacey will practice in Saskatoon where she lives with her husband and their two children.

Brionna Wheaton

Brionna Wheaton grew up in Edmonton, AB, but has lived and travelled all over Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Briercrest College and is currently a third-year student at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. Brionna has a huge heart for people and was grateful for the opportunity to participate in an externship this last year. This placement provided her with a chance to explore some unconventional options for a law degree, which allowed her to pursue her passion for helping make a difference in people’s lives. Brionna plans to stay in Saskatchewan for the foreseeable future and will be articling with Cuelenaere LLP in Saskatoon. She hopes to pursue a career in criminal law, although she is learning to be open to anything life throws her way. Outside of law, Brionna can be found cuddling her dog, Fynlee, and playing board games with friends.