Diversions
Kevin SchoenfeldtOctober 27, 2016
An Oral History of the IRAC War Part Two: Weapons of Brief Destruction
Kevin Schoenfeldt (2L) When we last heard from our fractious Legal Methods professors, Hugh English had gone rogue, taking a third of the class with […]
Rabiya MansoorOctober 27, 2016
Ask Ab Initio
Rabiya Mansoor (2L) Dear AI, I have missed a week of school because I was sick. I am too scared to ask anyone for notes […]
Shari NathanSeptember 28, 2016
Cartoon: “Champion Fundraiser”
Gabe ThompsonSeptember 28, 2016
Tort Or No Tort: 2L Edition
Gabe Thompson (2L) and Daniel Hershkop (2L) The coffee from Goodmans LLP Café burnt my tongue. TORT or NO TORT? I’m coming into my school-year […]
Kevin SchoenfeldtSeptember 28, 2016
An Intro to the Jackman Law Building, Brought to You by B+H Architects in Concert with the Rich Alumni of U of T Law
Kevin Schoenfeldt (2L) and Nick Papageorge (2L) At the end of the Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Summer Break we sat down with the Diamond & […]
Rabiya MansoorSeptember 28, 2016
Ode to Birge
Rabiya Mansoor (2L) Oh, Birge Carnegie! How I miss your dank volumes, Hidden behind the cramped collegial communes, There was no class warfare in your […]
Kevin SchoenfeldtSeptember 28, 2016
Meet Your Fellow 1Ls
Kevin Schoenfeldt (2L) After being in law school for over a month now, you’ve probably met many of your fellow 1Ls. You might even be […]
Kevin SchoenfeldtSeptember 28, 2016
In Landmark Decision, Judge Rules that Ex-Boyfriend is No-Good Human Garbage
Kevin Schoenfeldt (2L) In what legal experts are calling an unprecedented decision, Justice Julianna Bishop released a verdict today convicting her now ex-boyfriend, Mitch Fitchland, […]
Kevin SchoenfeldtSeptember 28, 2016
An Oral History of the IRAC War Part One: A Brief Introduction
Kevin Schoenfeldt (2L) You may not know this, but many years ago, Legal Methods was taught not in three sections as it is today, but […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
Word On The Street: Mousegate
Alex Carmona (3L) Troll in the Dungeon! Or, rather, #mouse in the Library. The administration has recently ignited students’ tempers by blaming students’ food for […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
Word On The Street: Favourite study snack, favourite study track?
Clara Rozee (3L) UV ventured into the new reading room on a rainy afternoon to poll students about which eats and tunes get them in […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
Litigious Levity
Nick Papageorge (1L) and Justin Khorana-Medeiros (1L) In last month’s Blast from the Past, I came across a short-lived feature highlighting odd and entertaining legal […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
The True Meaning of Culture
Nick Papageorge (1L) The email I received trumpeting the “Alumni-Student Cultural Night” at Fasken Martineau was intriguing. On its face it was a mere invite […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
Tort Or No Tort?
Clara Rozee (3L) and Maud Rozee (1L) I saw not a single swan at the so-called “Swan Ball.” There were only a few white feathers […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
The New Atlawtis
Harrison Cruikshank (3L) Greetings, dear readers. This shall be my final correspondence, and it is quite the yarn. By the good grace of providence, I […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
What Would A Great Student Lounge Look Like?
Elliot Fonarev (2L) These are stressful times, but maybe the Faculty of Law administration is right. Maybe things will be better next year. Better classrooms. […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
The Library Bathrooms Are Completely Unacceptable
Nitai Ben-Shach (3L) The new law building is offensive and regressive. More specifically, the bathrooms are unacceptable and egregious. Now, many of you might be […]
Web EditorMarch 31, 2016
Blast From The Past: Highlights From The Inaugural UV
Nick Papageorge (1L) Since 1999, students have gathered in the basement of Falconer to produce U of T Law’s finest newspaper. Ultra Vires has occupied […]
Web EditorMarch 29, 2016
2016 Law Ball Survey Results
Simon Cameron (2L) Each year, Ultra Vires surveys all law ball attendees. The results are analyzed and collated here for the benefits of future years. […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Stranger In A Strange Land?
Harrison Cruikshank (3L) You might have thought that after returning from a term abroad, my duties as foreign correspondent would end. You would have thought […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Graeme & Andrew: Best Friends For Life*
Clara Rozee (3L) and Maud Rozee (1L) *SPONSORED CONTENT: Ultra Vires contributed a personalised profile to this year’s law school Promise Auction. Graeme Rotrand and […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Re: 2016 Summer Student Position
Aidan Campbell (1L) Dear Mr. Gatekeeper: I am a first year JD candidate at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law seeking to apply a […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Construction Workers To Finish Library In Frenzied All-nighter
Simon Cameron (2L) With just a few days till the opening of the new Bora Laskin Law Library, workers from Eastern Construction sat down with […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Tort Or No Tort?
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) On February 8 at 12:05pm, Professor Ripstein’s Torts class was interrupted by a fire alarm. We evacuated Old […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Blast From The Past: Boat Cruise Fracas, Baby Crocodile Theft, and Sex Advice
Nick Papageorge (1L) 12 September, 2006 – “2006 Orientation Smooth Sailing, Mostly: Incident on boat cruise only hiccup in otherwise awesome week” by Steven Werier […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Feeble Legal Fables
Professor Simon Stern An extremely Negative (and only barely Reciprocal) Easement had grown weary of remaining fixed to a single habitation, when obstructing the aims […]
Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016
Word on the Street: Valentine’s Day Plans vs. Reality
His Plans: Go out to a moderately priced McDonald’s, just me, my sweetheart, and my paralyzing guilt over dipping into the Scotia line of credit […]
Web EditorFebruary 23, 2016
Construction Workers Finish New Library In Frenzied All-nighter
Simon Cameron (2L) With just a few days till the opening of the new Bora Laskin Law Library, workers from Eastern Construction sat down with […]
Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016
Word On The Street: If you had to be stranded with a faculty member on a desert island…
“Dean Iacobucci, because we could talk about the Simpsons together.” 3L, red sweater, Reading Room “Jason Chin. He teaches Legal Research and Writing. He’s half […]
Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016
Hot Destination: Law school a surprisingly sweet reading week option
Clara Rozee (3L) and Maud Rozee (1L) It’s about three weeks until Reading Week (not that we’re counting), and now is the perfect time to […]
Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016
Promises I wish I could have bid on
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) If the organisers ever wants to raise some real ca$h money at the Promise Auction, then they should […]
Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016
Blast from the Past: Cartoons, weed, and underwear
Justin Khorana-Medeiros (1L) November 20, 2007 – “JD students conserve energy – forego climate change conference” by Robert Wakulat In the run-up to global climate […]
Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016
Strang-er than Fiction
Joshua Freedman (3L) Like many of you, I spent ten hours over the holidays getting lost in the warm timbre of Dean Strang’s voice while […]
Web EditorNovember 26, 2015
Tort or no tort?
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) There are three “Mondays” between October 19 and 26, or approximately one Monday every 2.666666 days. This ratio […]
Web EditorNovember 26, 2015
“How’s law school going?”
Tajja Isen (1L) You’ve leveled up. No more getting grilled on the uselessness of your undergrad degree. Now comes a question that seems much more […]
Web EditorNovember 26, 2015
Blast from the Past: Pro-torture edition
Nick Papageorge (1L) February 10, 2004 – “Let’s not be naïve: the case for torture warrants” by Keir Wilmut This bold law student took to […]
Web EditorNovember 26, 2015
First-years have got this
Nick Papageorge (1L) We all know that U of T Law is a brick to the face. Or at least it used to be, back […]
Web EditorNovember 26, 2015
Feeble Legal Fables
Professor Simon Stern An Antiquated Doctrine was slowly and determinedly creeping into desuetude. Just as it was entering the home stretch, and preparing to park […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Going on exchange to Toronto
Bilal Manji (3L) and Dave Marshall (4L) Each and every September, newly-minted third year students arrive at the Faculty of Law just to discover that […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Meet our students: Todd’s Story
Brad Valley (3L) Privileged upbringing and private school education led him to law school. Todd Smith was only 16 when he knew he wanted to […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Earning your professional degree in a featherbed
Harrison Cruikshank (3L) If anyone has told you being on exchange is easy, they lied. In actuality, being on exchange is really REALLY easy. I’m […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Professor Alarie announces plan for new “hunt down, kill” feature of Blue J Legal computer
Amir Eftekharpour (2L) Professor Ben Alarie announced last month that Blue J, the computer technology based off of IBM’s Watson, will include a feature that […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
In-firm interview tips
Amir Eftekharpour (2L) With in-firm interviews coming up soon, Ultra Vires has you covered with a list of helpful tips and tricks. Use these to […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Interviews I have known and loved
Becky Ross (4L) Most of us agonize throughout the interview process, mulling over every gesture or exchange. Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
Blast from the Past: UV headlines from history
Maud Rozee (1L) and Amani Rauff (1L) January 25, 2000 – “Faculty Proposal for Increased Salaries Draws Mixed Support” by Richard Meloff and Jeff Torkin […]
Web EditorOctober 28, 2015
The Muffin Manifesto
Jordan Stone (3L) The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of struggles over pastries. Indeed, the revolutionaries of France were galvanized into […]
Web EditorOctober 27, 2015
Halloween costume ideas
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) A Mandatory Professionalism Seminar on a Friday Wait until 1 a.m., then tell everyone at the party that […]
Web EditorOctober 17, 2015
Love poems for Iacobucci
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) | Illustrations by Alex Wong (3L)
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Tort or no tort?
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) On Monday, September 14, the air conditioning in Emmanuel 001 was non-operational. Upon my arrival at class, I […]
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Vic anymore
Harrison Cruikshank (3L) The first day of school is always exciting, and the first of 3L especially so. Those promises made in 1L by virtuous […]
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Hemingway’s OCI cover letter
Tyler Henderson (3L) To Whom It May Concern, My name is Ernest. It is a simple and strong name. Perhaps you have heard it from […]
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Re: [LAW-ALL] Fall calendar reminders
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) Dear students: Here are some reminders about your schedule for this fall. Please mark your calendars with the […]
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Advice for 4Ls
Becky Ross (4L) The definitive compendium of sage wisdom, from someone who has no idea what she’s doing. We’ve got at least one more lap […]
Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015
Eleven Features I Hope are Part of the new Jackman Hall Law Building
Maud Rozee (1L) and Clara Rozee (3L) Unlimited free printing Mahogany desks and chairs with finest Italian leather seat cushions. A drinking fountain that dispenses […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
Procrastination Methods of Choice
Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) Netflix. Reading Ultra Vires. Writing articles to submit to UV in advance of the September 2015 issue. For music lovers between 18 […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
Top Advice From 3Ls to Prospective Law Students
By David Pardy (?L) Hungry for sardonic humour and maybe some legitimately helpful advice, I asked 3L students to share just one piece of advice […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
The “I can’t believe this chocolate chip cookie is delicious and good for you too” Recipe
By Yale Hertzman (3L) Do you like chocolate? Do you like cookies? If so, then these chocolate chip cookies are for you. They aren’t your […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
Best Reactions to Saying You’re In Law School
Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) Doesn’t matter what year of law school you’re in, hell, it doesn’t even matter if you’ve just been accepted and haven’t actually […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
Intra-Vires: Profs Pay It Forward, Students Retire in Bounty
Re-imagined #OneDayofProfPay campaign rubs U of T students the right way By: Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) Closely following the recent media attention and controversy surrounding the […]
Alanna TevelMarch 28, 2015
Last Will and Testament
Last Will and Testament This is the last Will and Testament of us, the Class of 2015, of the University of Toronto Law School, of […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
In Full Bloom
Everything you ever wanted to know about hipster beards (and then some), from our very own Nitai Ben-Shach, Nick Charleton, and Calvin Hancock By: Lisana […]
Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015
U of T at the QLIHT
Peter Georgas (2L) We arrived in Kingston for the Queen’s Law Invitational Hockey Tournament on Friday afternoon, […]
Alanna TevelFebruary 25, 2015
What Not To Wear, Law Ball Edition
Alanna Tevel (3L) So much attention is given to what students should wear during OCIs and November in-firm week, but what about Law Ball? Of […]
Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015
The Top Ten Things You Absolutely Need to do this St Paddy’s Day
St. Paddy’s Day is around the corner, and Ultra Vires has the guide you need to make the most of your one opportunity to day-drink, […]
Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015
World’s Most Powerful Wind Tunnel to be Constructed at “Baby Gale” Moot
Researchers at U of T’s Faculty of Engineering are finalizing plans to construct what they hope will be the most powerful wind tunnel ever constructed. […]
Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015
Lawl Comics
Alanna TevelFebruary 25, 2015
Law Follies Awards 2015
By: David Pardy (?L) and Alanna Tevel (3L) Best Actor: Harrison Cruikshank Best Actress: Marita Zouravlioff Best Sketch: Game of Deans Best Song: “Jackman […]
Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015
Dear Dr. Valencourt
Vicki Valencourt, gorgeous model/singer/dancer/sex expert, has been around the block and back. From late night infomercials to Vanna White’s stand in Episode 2: Season 3, […]
Web EditorJanuary 29, 2015
The Who’s Who of the Fictional Lawyer World
By Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) As a law student, many are the instances where you run into a mere commoner (i.e. a non-law school individual) who […]
Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015
Chicken Soup for the Law Student’s Soul
By Yale Hertzman (Photograph by Zach Hertzman) You may be familiar with chicken soup. Chicken soup is made by taking a chicken, plopping it in […]
Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015
20 Facts You Didn’t Know About Dean Iacobucci
1. Do you have any secret talents? See answer to Question 16. 2. What did you want to be when you grew up? I’d like […]
Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014
Tense Stand-off Develops Between 2Ls and Free Pizza in Student Lounge
Amir Eftekharpour (1L) TORONTO, ON – Sources reported last month that an uneasy stalemate had developed between student Gabe Edelson and the free pizza on […]
Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014
IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT- DO NOT IGNORE
Rona Ocean (1L) With OCIs, papers, and the impending doom of exams, November is one of the worst months to fall ill. All students should […]
Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014
Monumental News
Yona Gal (1L) Former SCC Chief Justice Beheaded Bora Laskin (as he then was) graduated from the University of Toronto long ago. Now, his decapitated […]
Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014
Jackson Law Building Planning Board Finds Resolution to Major Issue
Rona Ocean (1L) & Amir Eftekarpour (1L) The Jackson Law Building Planning Board made leaps and bounds last Thursday, resolving a budget issue that had […]
Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014
Students Outside Reading Room Shocked by Twist Ending of Latest “SYTYCFCOALBBTD” Episode
Amir Eftekharpour (1L) TORONTO – U of T students expressed their surprise last week after a jaw-dropping episode of So You Think You Can Finish […]
Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014
CDO-Approved Costumes for Halloween
Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) Busy law student? Have no time to eat, sleep, or breathe, let alone come up with a costume to wear to the […]
Web EditorOctober 2, 2014
Review – How to Get Away with Murder
Matthew Howe (2L) “How to Get Away with Murder” follows the cutthroat criminal law professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) leading a class of cutthroat 1Ls […]
Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014
10 Things Tuition Could Buy
Lisana Nithiananthan (2L) Welcome back law students! Isn’t it lovely to be hit with another year of school, another year of exorbitant debt? I mean, […]
Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014
Supreme Court establishes landmark doctrine of ‘CBS’*
Amir Eftekharpour (1L) OTTAWA – In the much-anticipated release of their decision in Kras-Mingay Inc. v. Gehlen, the Supreme Court established, in an 8-1 majority, […]
Web EditorMarch 26, 2014
No Bake Energy Bars
Step aside, Nature Valley. There’s a new bar in town. Chocolate Dipped Chewy Bars, Nutrigrains, and Lara Bars pale in comparison to these home-made energy […]
Web EditorMarch 26, 2014
Expectation vs. Reality: Exam Edition
Social Life Expectation: Study for a few hours, take a break and maybe hang out with a friend or watch a movie before returning to […]
Web EditorMarch 26, 2014
Lessons on Life and Law from my Little One
I figured that between eating horizontally, seeing upside down, and copious amounts of napping, my son is likely to develop some valuable insights. Curious, I […]
Web EditorFebruary 26, 2014
Intra Vires: Surprise Data Shows Ethics Days Are Boring—Ethics Hour Now in Development
In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the legal community, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law has made the bold decision to revamp […]
Web EditorFebruary 25, 2014
Classic Minestrone Soup
I originally wanted to make Russian borscht in honour of the Olympics, but instead I made an Italian Minestrone Soup in honour of being too […]
Web EditorFebruary 25, 2014
Reading Week: Expectations vs. Reality
Friday February 14th 2014 Expectation: sleep in because there’s no class, take your sweet time getting ready for that date tonight, unwind… Reality: wake up […]
Web EditorJanuary 29, 2014
Human Rights Program Brings Justice to Developing World
Student volunteers with the Global Human Rights Law Program (GLHRLP) returned home to cheers and high praise Sunday after solving a major international legal crisis. […]
Web EditorJanuary 29, 2014
Can you say LAWkward?
That Lawkward Moment When…Niblett calls on unsuspecting 1Ls on the first class of the first day back to school That Lawkward Moment When…Niblett calls on […]
Paloma van GrollJanuary 29, 2014
Characters From Famous Legal Cases: Where Are They Now?
Donoghue v. Stevenson After, May Donoghue successfully sued a manufacturer for bottling a snail inside her ginger beer, a lightbulb went off in her head. […]
Web EditorJanuary 29, 2014
Raw Chocolate Brownies
I wanted to begin this article by saying that these brownies are good enough for Lady Godiva. I then realized that I have no idea […]
Web EditorJanuary 29, 2014
10 Reasons to Date a Law Student
Brace yourselves. It’s that time of year when you’re about to be reminded of your forever alone status. Aka that girl you had to do […]
Marita ZouravlioffNovember 27, 2013
Tis the season
In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be exams – much less winter exams. I would spend December going to swanky parties, watching old movies, skiing, […]
Web EditorNovember 27, 2013
Around Town: Toronto’s Top Stress-Busting Study Stoppers
Nothing will get your mind off that 1930’s House of Lords decision like some “DJ P-Plus” on the rocks. I’m obviously referring to the Harbourfront […]
Web EditorNovember 27, 2013
2L Job Found ESSENTIAL for Future Life Success
Last Friday, the Honourable Lynn Ferms was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, in a move that has been called the “crowning achievement” of […]
Web EditorNovember 27, 2013
Making a map? Have a snack.
There is something great about mindlessly chewing on a snack while reading case law. With exam season approaching, it is important to keep your brain […]
Web EditorNovember 27, 2013
If Rob Ford did in-firms
Call Day Hi Rob, Flavelle LLP here. Would you like to come in for an interview Monday? Okay brother. Great, 10am it is. We would […]
Web EditorNovember 27, 2013
The Average Law Student
The results of our annual OCI Survey don’t only provided some insights into the recruitment process, they also give us a picture of you, the […]
Web EditorOctober 30, 2013
The Perfect Lunchtime Salad
I love salad. But bringing a salad for lunch can be messy. Who wants to eat soggy tomatoes, wilted lettuce, cucumbers that don’t crunch, and […]
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