Features

Web EditorMarch 30, 2017

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Personal Statements for the Class of 2017

A lot has changed since 2014. In the United States, a black president passed the baton to a white nationalist; in Canada, Stephen Harper gave […]

Jeremy GreenbergMarch 30, 2017

The Anita Krajnc Trial: Compassion, the Public Interest, and the Case for Animal Personhood

The Toronto woman charged with criminal mischief for giving water to pigs destined for slaughter was acting in the public interest. This was the central […]

Davina ShivratanMarch 30, 2017

1L Hiring Report for 2017

This year’s 1L recruit took place during the week of February 20. Toronto law firms and the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) offices hired […]

Web EditorMarch 30, 2017

Faculty of Law Dominates Intramurals

Alexis Vaughn (2L) Disclaimer: The above headline may or may not be clickbait and/or fake news. A more accurate (but less grammatically correct) headline would […]

Ellie MarshallMarch 30, 2017

Dear @UTLaw, @BlueJLegal is Not an Access to Justice Tool

I have a confession to make: I hate technology. Let me clarify. I specifically hate the idea that technology is special or, worse, that “technology […]

Web EditorMarch 1, 2017

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Justin Khorana-Medeiros (2L) Let me start by saying that I realize not everyone is as riveted by committee work as I am. Most people would […]

Web EditorMarch 1, 2017

O’Leary Isn’t Canada’s Trump. He’s Our Corbyn.

Matthew Cressatti (2L) My original intention with this column was to explain that it would be impossible for an extremist or an outsider to win […]

Bethanie PascuttoJanuary 26, 2017

#LawNeedsFeminismBecause

Why does law need feminism? For members of the Feminist Law Students Association (FLSA), it is because the status quo is unacceptable. The legal profession […]

Shaun ParsonsJanuary 26, 2017

The Recycled Problem of Recycled Exams

Shaun Parsons (2L) Midway through the Winter term of my 1L year, rumours began to circulate about a recycled exam. In the well-publicized saga that […]

Louell TayeJanuary 26, 2017

Donald’s Doomsday

Louell Taye (1L) and Aidan Campbell (2L) As of noon this past Friday, Donald Trump is the President of the United States. We’ve had since […]

Web EditorNovember 30, 2016

Tuition and Debt at the Law School Part Two: Faculty Salaries and the Sunshine List

Aidan Campbell (2L) Debate over rising tuition has been central to the last two Faculty Council meetings. Dean Iacobucci has taken the position that because […]

Norm YallenNovember 30, 2016

Better Know a Court: The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Norm Yallen (1L) General Mandate The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is the tribunal responsible for making decisions on matters relating to immigration […]

Web EditorNovember 30, 2016

Divergent Decisions and an Uncertain Outcome: The Case of Trinity Western University

Nick Papageorge (2L) Trinity Western University, in Langley, British Columbia, is “Canada’s largest independent Christian liberal arts institution.” It is also at the heart of […]

Web EditorOctober 27, 2016

Tuition and Debt at the Law School: The Broken Promises of “The Price of Excellence”

Aidan Campbell (2L) Finally, imagine a school in which no student who can gain admission on the merits will be excluded on the basis of […]

Graeme OddyOctober 27, 2016

Open or Shut?: A Case for a Better Mooting Program

Graeme Oddy (3L) In March 2015, the Moot Court Committee (MCC) published a thoughtful article, “Advocacy for U of T’s Moot Program,” which highlighted issues […]

Web EditorOctober 27, 2016

Blog Posts, Academia, and the Dissenting Opinion: An Interview with Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown

Aidan Campbell (2L) and Nick Papageorge (2L) Nick Papageorge: Let’s get right to the hard hitting stuff. Who is your best friend on the bench? […]

Shari NathanSeptember 28, 2016

Introducing Justice Epstein, U of T Law’s New Justice-In-Residence

Shari Nathan (2L) and Maud Rozee (2L) UV: Would you mind telling us about your background? JE: I was born and raised in Toronto, in […]

Web EditorSeptember 28, 2016

Yaiguaje v Chevron: The Hummingbird and the Forest Fire

by Graham Henry* (3L) A group of Ecuadorians from a remote part of the Amazonian rainforest hold a $9.5 billion judgment from the highest court […]

Web EditorSeptember 28, 2016

Sexism and the Canadian Judicial Council: Robin Camp and Lori Douglas

By Melissa Smith (2L)   In his nineteenth-century novel, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy scandalized British aristocrats by suggesting that a woman who has […]

Shari NathanSeptember 28, 2016

Jackman Law Building: Moving On Up

by Shari Nathan (2L)     Finally, the doors have opened at the Jackman Law Building. You’ve had classes in new lecture halls, visited the […]

Web EditorApril 20, 2016

Dean Iacobucci on his first year as Dean, Contracts-gate, and more

Maud Rozee (1L) and Matt Howe (3L) At the end of March, Ultra Vires sat down with Dean Iacobucci for his second interview with us. With […]

Web EditorMarch 31, 2016

Politics, Interrupted: An Interview With Professor Anver Emon

Tali Green (3L) Professor Anver Emon on terrorism policy, Islamic-Jewish taboos, and taming the political beast You may know Professor Anver Emon as that man […]

Web EditorMarch 31, 2016

Legal Moneyball

Zachary Al-Khatib (2L) Why the game might be changing, and the choices facing law students When U of T Law’s Career Development Office announced an […]

Web EditorMarch 31, 2016

Panel Discusses Landmark Ruling On First Nations Child Welfare

Daniel Carens-Nedelsky (3L) On Thursday March 3, David Nahwegahbow and Sarah Clarke came to speak to a group of U of T students and professors […]

Web EditorMarch 31, 2016

Alcohol And Law School, In Our Own Words

Adam Wheeler (3L) and Aidan Campbell (1L) Drinking seems to be a core part of the “typical” law student social experience. And yet it is […]

Web EditorMarch 31, 2016

The Selling Of The Law School

Amani Rauff (1L) Hard work goes into maintaining U of T Law’s reputation for “excellence.” Every year, prospective students decide that it offers something worth […]

Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016

Better Know a Court: The Ontario Municipal Board

Justin Khorana-Medeiros (1L) The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) is an independent tribunal operating under provincial legislation. Its mandate covers the majority of appeals arising under […]

Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016

Not So Trivial: Blue J Legal Harnesses IBM’s Watson for Tax Law

Alex Redinger (2L) Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy! contestant with the longest winning streak in the television show’s history, famously lost to IBM’s Watson computer system […]

Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016

Does OSAP Discriminate Against Muslim Students?

Geetha Philipupillai (2L)  While the legal profession has acknowledged the need to foster diversity, targeted barriers preventing Muslim students from accessing government student loan schemes […]

Web EditorFebruary 24, 2016

Sky-high Tuition and Unpaid Student Labour

Riaz Sayani-Mulji (2L) Is U of T Law complying with the Employment Standards Act? For last year’s Orientation Week, an administrator reached out to students […]

Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016

The In-No-Way-Definitive Guide to Winterlicious 2016

Nick Papageorge (1L) Toronto is an ersatz city in many respects (I’m looking at you, TTC), but at least twice a year it gets something […]

Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016

Iago on Trial on trial – A review of the 2016 literary moot

Daniel Hershkop (1L) Obscure insults, lavish outfits, and pretentious accents were highlights of this year’s Literary Moot Benefit. The trial concerned a contentious sequence of […]

Web EditorJanuary 27, 2016

Better Know a Court: The Consent and Capacity Board

Amber Neumann (3L) and Matt Howe (3L) Every day across Ontario, a little-known tribunal gathers in nondescript hospital meeting rooms to adjudicate high stakes personal […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Truth and Reconciliation at the Law School

Chelsey Legge (1L) After six years of studying Canada’s residential school system and collecting survivors’ stories, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Why the TPP will harm Canada’s public domain, limit its ability to regulate IP

Maud Rozee (1L) The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a big deal, literally. The version recently released to the public is approximately 6,000 pages long. According […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Meet the new Director of the International Human Rights Program

Rona Ghanbari (2L) Samer Muscati is the new Director of U of T Law’s International Human Rights Program (IHRP). Ultra Vires sat down to talk […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Justice Russell Brown

Alex Redinger (2L) During this past summer, Justice Russell Brown was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. He is Stephen Harper’s last appointee, replacing […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Explore TO – First Thursdays at the AGO

Sam Levy (2L) Welcome (back) to Toronto! After a summer featuring the immensely successful Pan-am Games and a soaring Blue Jays team, Toronto is continuing […]

Web EditorNovember 26, 2015

Better Know a Court: Canada’s Courts Martial

Taha Hassan (2L) Those interested in criminal law and procedure may find it interesting to acquaint themselves with Canada’s courts martial. Governed by the National […]

Web EditorOctober 29, 2015

Advice for in-firm interviews

Ultra Vires reached out to students who participated in the recruitment process last year for their thoughts and reflections on in-firm week. Keep in mind […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Admissions Report: Class of 2018

Simon Cameron (2L) The recently concluded Federal election saw a record number of Indigenous MPs sent to Ottawa. The same cannot be said for the […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

“False Security” – Prof. Kent Roach on Bill C-51 and unintended consequences

Sarah Rostom (2L) On October 8, 2015, Professors Craig Forcese and Kent Roach launched their new book: “False Security: The Radicalization of Canadian Anti-Terrorism” at […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Dennis Edney on Omar Khadr and doing good with a law degree

Zachary Al-Katib (2L) On September 17, the U of T Law Union and Muslim Law Student’s Association hosted Dennis Edney, the voice of Omar Khadr […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Better Know a Court: Nunavut

Corinne Xu (3L) Inspired by The Colbert Report’s “Better Know a District” series, and a desire to learn about courts beyond the few encountered in […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Matt Damon: Space Pirate?

Matthew Smith (1L) This piece contains mild spoilers for The Martian. Matt Damon: rogue CIA asset, good Will, heist-man, and now…space pirate? Earthlings not living […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Justice Moldaver on lawyering, life at the SCC, and Judge Judy

Clara Rozee (3L) and Nick Reynolds (2L) On October 1, Justice Michael Moldaver came to the U of T Faculty of Law to sit on […]

Web EditorOctober 28, 2015

Fiat Justinia? Justice policy under Trudeau II

Justin Khorana-Medeiros (1L) In the Munk leaders’ Debate this federal election, Justin Trudeau expressed pride in certain big-ticket political legacies of his father, including multiculturalism […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

Academic Offences

Nicole Wilkinson (3L) The academic offense process basically goes something like this: First, a university staff member (usually a professor, TA or an exam proctor) […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

A Guide To 1L

Alex Redinger (2L) and Rona Ghanbari (2L)  Previous editions of the Ultra Vires 1L guide have professed to be definitive, or at the very least […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

Six steps to beating OCIs

Nitai Ben-Shach (3L) OCIs are fun. Keep repeating this mantra to yourself from now until October 8 and you may just come to believe it. […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

Campus Alert Criticisms

Lisana Nithiananthan (3L)  On September 8th, 2015, over 84,000 students began the school year at the University of Toronto with all the fanfare and summer […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

Poverty shouldn’t be a barrier to an appeal

Maude Woods (2L) When I came to law school, so long ago, I had some ideas about how the law worked. Turns out, I was […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

IHRP’s Renu Mandhane discusses new job, reflects on time at U of T Law

Rona Ghanbari (2L) This fall, Renu Mandhane—Director of the International Human Rights Program (IHRP), and generally loved member of the law school’s community—will leave her […]

Web EditorSeptember 30, 2015

Politicians at U of T Law

Alex Redinger (2L)  It’s no secret that many politicians have law degrees. Many of our classmates have been involved in politics in the past, and […]

Web EditorJuly 18, 2015

Making the most of firm tours

Alex Redinger (2L) and Brett Hughes (3L) Every summer, 1-going-on-2-Ls anxiously turn their minds to the November recruitment process and related activities, including the summer […]

Eryn FanjoyMarch 29, 2015

The Once and Future Dreams of JDs

Eryn Fanjoy (3L) | Illustration by Alexandra Wong (2L) The year was 2011. Osama Bin Laden was taken down. South Sudan became a thing. Will […]

Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015

Teaching About Sexual Assault, Or Not

Katherine Long (2L) Earlier this month, the Ontario government introduced the “It’s Never Okay” campaign, an initiative to address sexual violence. It includes curriculum changes […]

Eryn FanjoyMarch 28, 2015

Law School in Review

Eryn Fanjoy (3L) & Jacquie Richards (4L) September 4, 2012: Day 1! Rainiest day of the year. Conveniently, E-legal “Stalkerbook” photos are also taken. Mid-September […]

Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015

Advocacy for U of T’s Moot Program

By Kathleen Elhatton-Lake (3L) and Danny Urquhart (3L) Photos by Nadio Guo (3L) This has been one of the most successful years in the history […]

Marita ZouravlioffMarch 28, 2015

The Top 10 Best and Worst Classes at U of T Law

By: Alex Carmona (2L) With files from Marita Zouravlioff (3L) and Nathan Rattansey (1L) Everyone knows that once a semester, students are presented with a […]

Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015

U of T Law Inspires, or What Profs Do When They Don’t Have To Teach You

By: Tali Green (2L)         Most people get inspired by pleasant things, such as rainbows and baby giraffes. But if the almost-packed […]

Aron NimaniMarch 28, 2015

How to Succeed at Course Selection Without Really Trying

By Hayley Ossip (3L) From the bottom of my selfless heart, I am writing this article to help all of you get into the courses […]

Patrick HartfordMarch 28, 2015

Free maps and case briefs, just in time for exams

Introducing the Common Law Project: A free, comprehensive wiki for law students By Patrick Hartford (4L) Ori Barbut and I have launched the Common Law […]

Jacquie RMarch 28, 2015

Law Ball In Review

By Jacquie Richards (4L) Photo courtesy of the SLS Despite valiant efforts to keep things “fresh”, every year there are a whole lot of reassuring […]

Daanish SamadmotenFebruary 25, 2015

Did You Make a Poor Financial Investment by Going to U of T Law?

Daanish Samadmoten (Alumnus, Class of 2014) Yes, you did. At least if you plan to work in “public interest” after graduation. According to a mathematical […]

Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015

Law Follies Review

David Pardy (?L) I’m not one to exaggerate, yet I feel confident saying this. Like Clement Greenberg’s Art and Culture, this review will change the […]

Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015

Recent Grads Dish on the Bar Exam

By Alex Carmona (2L) Everyone knows that simply graduating from law school doesn’t actually make you a lawyer. Your last exam of 3L isn’t even […]

Aron NimaniFebruary 25, 2015

Meeting Michael Macrae

Tali Green (2L)  Michael Macrae (2L) sits near the front of our Evidence class, in an automated wheelchair. He spends his class time listening to […]

Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015

Law Games: The Recap

By Gabe Edelson (2L)                 Greetings dear peasants. I, your King, bring you tales of triumph and heartbreak […]

Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015

Valentine’s Day Special: Building an Open Relationship

By Tali Green and Lisana Nithiananthan It happened again today. I was in the middle of dragging myself across campus to my next class, and […]

Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015

Embrace TO: Even in the Winter

By Samuel Levy (1L)               Like it or not, we’re stuck with the Canadian winter for another 50-odd days. […]

Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015

1L Post Mortem

First day. What am I going to wear? This isn’t undergrad anymore, so definitely no more sweat pants. Are people going to be wearing suits? […]

Aron NimaniJanuary 29, 2015

AI In Law

By Alex Carmona A quintessential law student experience: It’s 8:00 pm on a Wednesday night. You’re tired, hungry, and all you want to do is […]

Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014

Striking Out: An Offer Day Debrief

Andrew Lynes (2L) Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 – known as “Offer Day” to an infinitesimally small number of people  – was a bit of a […]

Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014

Inaugural interview with Dean-designate Iacobucci

Brett Hughes (2L) and Tali Green (2L) Following his first town hall meeting with JD students, future dean Iacobucci sat down with Ultra Vires to […]

Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014

New research suggests link between student debt and mental health

Michael Robichaud (1L) Last year, the Law Students’ Society of Ontario (LSSO) conducted a survey that asked students from across the province what impact they […]

Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014

Embrace T.O. But Campus is Alright Too

Samuel Levy (1L) The reading room is getting pretty packed, isn’t it? Well, it’s not surprising. Close to classes and the B.L.L.L., where else would […]

Aron NimaniNovember 27, 2014

The Good Ol’ HACCkey Game: 3rd Annual Competition a Success

By Nick Rossi (UT Law Class of 2013) On October 24th and 25th, the University of Toronto Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) hosted its […]

Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014

I Work in the Public Sector (And So Can You!)

The last thing I ever thought I would do at U of T was write for UV. I told a friend I had been asked […]

Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014

Lisa Borsook on women, work, and why firms hire students

Tali Green   When you talk to Lisa Borsook, you might be forgiven for feeling a bit…slow. Her career timeline almost defies arithmetic – she […]

Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014

In-Firm Interviews: What to Bring

Ultra Vires emailed all the students from the CDO’s 2014 Second Year Summer Student Employment Directory and asked for the most important things to bring […]

Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014

28 Ways to #Win at In-Firm Week

Ultra Vires emailed all the students from the CDO’s 2014 Second Year Summer Student Employment Directory and asked them for the most important things to […]

Web EditorOctober 29, 2014

Justice Abella on privacy, decision-writing, and the role of law schools

Tali Green (2L) and Brett Hughes (2L) Justice Rosalie Abella kindly agreed to sit down with Ultra Vires before this year’s Grand Moot to answer […]

Aron NimaniOctober 29, 2014

Embrace Toronto: Drinking with Dinosaurs at the ROM’s “Friday Night Live”

Samuel Levy (1L) The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) may be minutes away from campus, but in my four years at Victoria College it never struck […]

Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014

Orientation Week: A Teaching Experience

Yona Gal (1L) “What are the facts of the case?” Was the professor talking to me? Well, he did say my name. As I sat […]

Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014

The Definitive(ish) Guide to 1L

This is a weird time to be a 2L.  We spent all of last year battling through the seemingly unconquerable slog of readings, papers and […]

Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014

Moving On Up: Alexis Archbold’s Last Words as Assistant Dean

Tali Green (2L)   Job description over the years NG: What was your role supposed to be when you were hired? AA: In 2005 I […]

Aron NimaniSeptember 24, 2014

Getting to Know T.O. – Casa Loma: One eye to the Past, One to the Bright Future

Samuel Levy (1L) When pitching U of T Law to its valued prospects, a ubiquitous selling point is the city itself. However, I gave little […]

Aron NimaniAugust 27, 2014

Sneak Peek: LSSO Report Results

During the 2013-14 academic year, the Law Students’ Society of Ontario (a newly formed advocacy group for Ontario law students) did a really big survey. […]

Marita ZouravlioffMarch 26, 2014

Dean Search 2014: The Advisory Committee

Within the next couple of weeks, President Gertler will announce his advisory committee roster, a group of individuals tasked with finding our next Dean. We […]

Aron NimaniMarch 26, 2014

Chief Justice McLachlin speaks at PBSC Appreciation Event

The University of Toronto and Osgoode Chapters of Pro Bono Students Canada came together for their volunteer appreciation event that is held each year at McCarthy Tetrault’s Toronto Office. […]

Aron NimaniMarch 26, 2014

Fashion File: Real Life STYLEZ

Age appropriate clothing rules guaranteed to stop getting you carded As a contributor and former features editor of UV, I really wanted to submit something profound for this […]

Katherine GeorgiousFebruary 26, 2014

Why It’s Hard to Find Jobs Off Bay Street and what the CDO is doing about it

 It’s an oft-cited complaint at the Faculty of Law: jobs outside of Bay Street are ignored. Students say they’d like to work in the public […]

Web EditorFebruary 26, 2014

House of Cards Toronto: A Journey to the Heart of the Rosedale Club

We both step onto the porch of the Annex townhouse. Chomsky knocks, and we are greeted by a young man, in a full suit and […]

Web EditorFebruary 26, 2014

Transfers on Trial

There used to be a way to get into the Salvador Dali museum in Paris for free. All you had to do was enter the […]

Web EditorFebruary 26, 2014

What’s Happening in Animal Law

On February 19th, 2014, a couple dozen Torontonians gathered inside a dark theatre underneath Palmerston Public library to discuss current affairs in animal law. Camille […]

Web EditorFebruary 26, 2014

1L Hires (2014)

First year recruitment concluded on Thursday, February 20th. Toronto’s legal offices hired 42 1Ls this year, versus last year’s 44. All data is self-reported by […]

Marita ZouravlioffJanuary 29, 2014

2 curves, 1 class

Implementing the new grading scheme has been much like moving into a transitional space: awkward and unnerving for the skittish law student. Much of the […]

Daanish SamadmotenJanuary 29, 2014

The Pros and Cons of Exchange

A few weeks ago, I and the other exchange students returned to U of T Law to a strange new set of buildings. The application […]

Web EditorJanuary 29, 2014

Law School: Buy Now, Pay Later?

Brett Hughes (1L) & Padraigin Murphy (1L) Over this past year, there has been an ongoing discussion between students, Students’ Law Society (SLS) representatives, and […]

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