New Faces, Fond Farewells: A Record Year of New Faces
June 17, 2024
BY British Columbia Law Institute
We’d like to introduce our new team members and bid a farewell to our departing board member. This year, we’re especially excited to welcome a record number of students joining us across the country. Here’s a bit about everyone:
New Staff and Students
Marie Ong, Staff Lawyer
Marie completed her law degree from UBC and was called to the BC Bar in 2022. Before joining us, she articled and worked at a Vancouver-based national law firm, gaining diverse litigation experience particularly in class actions, medical negligence, occupiers’ liability, and personal injury. In her free time, Marie enjoys biking or running the seawall, listening to live music, and cheering for Vancouver’s sports teams.
Calum McCracken, Law Research Student
Calum is an MA student in the Human Rights and Social Justice program at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). He is completing his practicum with, identifying best practices for collaborative consultation with underrepresented and marginalized populations. His research interests include religious pluralism, political philosophy, and Indigenous epistemology. Calum aims to pursue a PhD in political science after his MA.
Celeste Ann Borja, Law Research Student
Celeste is a first-generation immigrant settler from the Philippines and an incoming 2L JD student at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. Before law school, she worked as a registered social worker, specializing in gerontology, neurodiversity, and mental health. Celeste is doing outreach work for our Dementia Decision-Making Tools and drafting the Trauma Informed Legal Writing Guide.
Ignacia Mendez, Law Research Student
Ignacia is a second-year law student at TRU, deeply passionate about advocating for Indigenous rights. She is involved in our Reconciliation Legal Frameworks program. Prior to law school, she worked at legal aid organizations assisting vulnerable migrants seeking asylum in Canada and the US. Ignacia aspires to continue public interest work and advance social justice.
Julia Allen, Law Research Student
Julia is an Inuk from Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador) and an incoming 3L JD/MBA student at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about creating space for Indigenous voices, especially to ensure respect and understanding for Indigenous laws and knowledge. She is also interested in corporate law, environmental law, and effectively supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities. In her spare time, Julia likes to write poetry, travel, swim, and model.
Maria Michouris, Articling Student
Maria holds a BA in international relations and political science from University of British Columbia (UBC) and a JD from the University of Ottawa. Prior to articling with us, she summered with the Law Commission of Ontario where she worked on the Criminal AI Lifecycle Project. Maria enjoys juggling various hobbies and spending time with her bunny and dog.
Oluwaseun Fadairo, Law Research Student
Oluwaseun is an LLM student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC, focusing on Entrepreneurial Finance Incentive Law and Policy. With a strong background in corporate and property law and policy research, he explores innovative solutions for recognizing Indigenous rights with us.
Board of Director
New Board Member
Emilie LeDuc
Emilie is a research lawyer and the Director of Professional Development at Harper Grey. She conducts complex legal research and provides strategic advice on civil and administrative matters. Emilie received her LL.B. in 2008 and was called to bar in 2009. She holds an MLIS from UBC. She is committed to supporting law students and junior associates through mentorship and oversees Harper Grey’s student program. Emilie also teaches advanced legal research at the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Departed Board Member and Current Project Committee Member
Julia Lawn
We extend a warm thank you to Julia for her contributions during her time on the Board. As a Board member from 2021-2024, Julia served in the Audit, Finance, and Risk Committee, Governance Committee, and Program Committee. She is also currently in the Rationalizing Non-Statutory Directors and Officers Liability project committee. Julia is a senior research lawyer and partner at Nathanson Schachter & Thompson LLP since 1999. With experience in corporate and commercial law, administrative law, estates, procedural and securities matters, she also contributes to law firm management.
