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Lerners Welcomes 2023-2024 Articling Students

We’re proud to welcome 10 new articling students to our firm.  We look forward to mentoring them, offering practical experience, and providing opportunities to discover the areas of law about which they’re most passionate as they advance their careers. Continue reading below to learn more about each of our students:

London Articling Students:

Brienna French: Brienna is a Western Law graduate who holds an M.A. in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research, as well as a B.A. Honours Specialization in Media and Public Relations also from Western. She has experience working as a Law Student at a London personal injury firm, has volunteered as a Legal Researcher for Atlohsa Healing Centre, and as a Research Assistant at Western. During law school, Brienna was an active mooter and was the NDP Federal Youth Representative for London West. Her interests include embroidering, felting, foraging, gardening, cycling, and soccer!

Minki Jeong: Minki graduated from the Dual JD program at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and Michigan State University College of Law, and holds a B.A. Honours from the University of Toronto, where he specialized in political science. He was a Legal Researcher with Pro Bono Students Canada, a Summer Law Clerk at Michigan State University Office of the General Counsel, and a Student Clinician at MSU Immigration Law Clinic. He also worked as a Judicial Intern for the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Minki joins our firm as an Articling Student after working as a Summer Student with us last year. Minki is fluent in Korean and is an aviation enthusiast.

Margaretha (Margaret) Klassen: Margaret is a Western Law graduate and holds a B.A. in Criminology from Western. Margaret has worked in the Court Services Division at the London Courthouse, was a Team Leader for Community Legal Services at Western Law, and worked as a Customer Service Clerk at the Landlord and Tenant Board. She also worked as a teaching assistant in a 1L Contracts Law course at Western University, and participated in a January 2023 term clerkship with the Ontario Court of Justice. Margaret enjoys skydiving, bungee jumping, hot yoga, weightlifting and spending time with her Corgi (son), Axl.

Andrea Lee: Andrea is a Western Law graduate and holds a B.Sc. from Western in Biology, with an Honours Specialization in Genetics. She was the Program Coordinator for Pro Bono Students Canada at Western Law, as well as a Research Assistant focusing on intellectual property. Andrea was also a Summer Student at Lawson Health Research Institute, Parkwood Hospital. During law school, Andrea was President of the Western Intellectual Property Association, Orientation Co-Chair, and an active mooter. Andrea is a tea enthusiast and enjoys volleyball, badminton, swimming, and flag football.

Sanan (Sunny) Mirza:  Sunny is a graduate of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University and holds a B.M.O.S. with an Honours Specialization in Consumer Behaviour from Western. He was a Summer Law Student at the Elgin-Oxford Legal Clinic, Assistant Manager at Sam’s Food, and volunteered at PlayCanada. During law school, Sunny was the Vice President (Research) of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, as well as the Vice President (Internal Affairs) of the Business Law Society. Sunny is fluent in Urdu and understands basic Punjabi. In his free time, Sunny enjoys basketball, football, soccer, and baseball.

Greg Woodward: Greg graduated from Law School at Western and holds a B.Sc., Honours Specialization in Earth & Environmental Sciences from McMaster. He was a Summer Student at a London law firm, volunteered at Neighbourhood Legal Services, was a Property Inspector for the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation in Toronto, and was a Research Assistant at McMaster. During law school, Greg was an active mooter, Vice President, and past Representative of the Western Environment Law Association. He enjoys running, rowing, soccer, hockey, cycling and snowboarding.

Toronto Articling Students:

Madeleine Cleland: Madeleine graduated from the Queen’s Faculty of Law and holds an Honours B.A. in Political Science, with a Legal Studies Specialization from Wilfrid Laurier University. She recently completed an internship and was a summer student, both at law firms in Toronto. Madeleine also worked as a Caseworker at the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic, a Research Assistant for Professor Darryl Robinson, and a Court Reporter for Network Reporting and Mediation. While at Queen’s, Madeleine was the President of the Queen’s Law Litigation Society. Her law school mooting experience includes being selected for the Queen’s Law Grand Moot, the Arnup Cup, and a semi-finalist of the Queen’s Law Labour and Employment moot. Madeleine began mooting at Laurier, where she was the President and Team Captain of the school’s varsity moot court team. She volunteers with Food Allergy Canada as a mentor, and as a judge in the undergraduate moot circuit. Madeleine is an avid cinema-goer, reader, and true crime enthusiast!

Benjamin Hantsis: Benjamin graduated from the Dual JD program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, and holds an Honours B.A. in Communication Studies with Communication Policy Specialization from York University. He summered at a full service firm in 2021 and a litigation boutique in 2022. Benjamin was a Research Assistant at the Minerva Centre for Human Rights with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Law. During law school, he was the Teaching Assistant for both Torts and Transactional Drafting, Editor for the Law Review, and served as an Advanced Student Attorney and Supervisor in the International Intellectual Property Law Patent Clinic in Detroit. Benjamin was an active mooter, served as a mooting coach and judge, and held an executive position with the Lloyd Dean Moot. He was the Treasurer and VP Operations for Windsor’s Jewish Students Association and founded the Windsor Law Tennis Club. Benjamin is fluent in Hebrew and conversational Russian. His interests include sailboat racing, running, and he is a self-described “foodie” who enjoys trying new restaurants and recipes!

Chelsea McKee: Chelsea attended Law School at Western and has a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. She was a Senior Legal Research Assistant in Health Ethics, Law & Policy and was a Legal Research Assistant in Intellectual Property, both at Western. During law school, she was a Clinic Fellow at the Western Intellectual Property & Innovation Legal Clinic, a member of the First Generation Network and of Western Women in Law. Chelsea also has prior work experience with Procter & Gamble, Campbell Company of Canada, and Danone Waters of America (Evian). She enjoys travel, adventure sports, cycling and walks with her Great Dane, Daisy!

Blaire Smockum: Blaire is a graduate of Queen’s Faculty of Law and completed an Honours B.Sc. in Life Sciences. She also holds an L.L.M. degree with a Specialization in Dispute Resolution. Prior to attending law school, Blaire worked as a Legal Assistant at a Toronto law firm. She was the Co-President and Social Events coordinator of Queen’s Women and Law, an Executive with Queen’s Health Law Association and a student caseworker with Queen’s Legal Aid. Blaire enjoys skiing, having competed as a downhill ski racer for 10 years, and has traveled to 34 countries and six continents!