Each year, OJEN invites law and paralegal students across Ontario to apply for our Justice Education Fellowships. Fellows receive in-depth training in public legal education theory and methods. During the school year, they are each responsible for planning and delivering a minimum of 3 justice education projects in local schools.
The 2022-23 cohort of Fellows exceeded these expectations by delivering as many as 5 or more projects each! Projects ranged from workshops on OJEN’s 14 Steps to Justice modules, introducing students to different areas of law, to sessions on consent, Charter rights or international law. They also spoke to classes about their personal journeys and experiences in law, answering students’ questions about pathways to various law-related careers.
Ten new Justice Education Fellows have now been selected for the 2023-24 school year, 1 from each of Ontario’s 8 law schools, as well as 2 paralegal programs. As with previous cohorts, the fellows bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles. They look forward to working with OJEN staff and partners!
Introducing OJEN’s 2023-24 Justice Education Fellows!
Catherine Avrutin
Catherine Avrutin is a first-year student from the Faculty of Law at Western University, Catherine has a background in pro-bono and education work, including volunteer positions with the Legal Information for Sexual Assault (LISA) Program and Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), as well as extensive mooting experience.
Mohak Chauhan
Mohak Chauhan is a first-year student from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Mohak has worked as a legal assistant and as a research assistant at Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services.
Patrick James Cowley
Patrick James Cowley is a first-year student at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. Patrick is active in many student groups including Artists’ Legal Advice Services (ALAS), the International Human Rights Program and the Debaters in Law Project, an organisation which he founded.
Samantha Crincoli
Samantha Crincoli is a second-year student at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law. Samantha has developed her program delivery and outreach skills as a program and volunteer coordinator at the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) and Outreach Division of UOttawa’s Community Legal Clinic.
Shivangi Dhir
Shivangi Dhir is enrolled in the paralegal program at Humber College. Originally from India, Shivangi volunteered for a campaign at the non-profit organisation, “Sankalp” to provide free primary education and awareness to children and youth in need. She also worked as a legal assistant at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Janson Fu
Janson Fu joins us from the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor. Janson brings that special combination of education and law to this Fellowship, having completed his studies in education and worked as a teacher prior to embarking on his legal studies. Moreover, he is currently working as a student legal intern at two US-side legal spaces.
Alessandra Giorgi
Alessandra Giorgi is a student at Osgoode Hall Law School. Alessandra brings a long-time commitment to advocacy and serving people who face social inequality, having bolstered this interest by enrolling in the Justice Studies program at the University of Guelph-Humber. While at Osgoode, she has volunteered with the Community & Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP) and has been involved with mooting and negotiation on multiple fronts.
Fatima Kaalim
Fatima Kaalim is a paralegal student at George Brown College. In addition to her studies, Fatima works at the Centre for Immigrant & Community Services. She is also a writer and activist.
Kayla O’Brien
Kayla O’Brien is from the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University. During her time in law school, Kayla acted as the Social Justice Fellow for Level Justice. In that position, she compiled a research summary on the intersection between low literacy rates and incarceration. Additionally, she has had extensive involvement with the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF).
Farah Panchbhaya
Finally, Farah Panchbhaya joins us from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Farah is a first-year student who is deeply involved with Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)’s Newcomer Legal Clinic as a volunteer, as well as many other student groups, including the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) on which she serves as Vice President of External Affairs.