Law School anyone?

This is my latest article for Golden Key's Keywords..as usual the e-version hasn't been updated yet, but you get to read the unabridged version...teeheehee.

Last week, I walked into the Second Cup at St. George and King’s College Road, expecting to meet a stereotypical law student - snooty, focused, and hyperactive. Instead, I met Shannon Neill-Sword, a rather laidback charming law student at U of T's Faculty of Law, who tells me that he is named after the River Shannon, and does not like the reference! Since I've never actually met a lawyer or one getting ready for the task, my stereotype seems a tad unfair.

By the end of our conversation, Shannon had given me a peek into his life as a U of T Law student. Canadian students at U of T apparently pay up to 19K per year for a 3 year Law program. Comparatively, Canadians applying across the border face higher requirement standards and pay a higher tuition fee. Shannon tells me that the unwritten code for prospective U of T law students is to focus on your scores - LSATs and cGPA. A combination of 167 and 3.8 would be a shoo-in, whereas anything below 160 and 3.5 would be a hard-sell. The ranges are flexible, and extra-curricular activities are apparently weighted more than the essays.

As we spoke about Shannon’s experiences this term, it seemed rather similar to most other graduate programs. It boasted an excellent faculty, hosted varying networking events; and also housed a focused Career Services Centre for the prospective lawyers. Shannon also spoke about the Student Law Society, the hub of all student related activity at the Law School. They apparently organize a range of activity, from pub nights (they can be found every other week at Duke of York) to lunch orientation sessions (most recently about common law reasoning and studying for exams). However, one of Shannon's most exciting experiences at Law School was the First Year Trial Advocacy session, organized entirely by the Moot Court Committee (Tammy Jacobson and Anji Samarasekera, second year Law students). In this specific experience, first year students sign up to conduct an abridged process of a trial, replete with judge (a practicing professional) and witnesses. Shannon describes his participation as 'an interesting way to understand the practical use of the subject'.

On a more relaxed note, Shannon told me about a few strange legends at the Faculty. Apparently, rumor has it that one faculty member used to walk into lectures, every single class, in full robes! I would have loved to see that, nothing that exciting ever happened in my human biology seminars. Another legend has it that one professor expected all the students to be updated with their readings. He would walk into the lecture, point to a student, and ask a random question about the reading. If that unfortunate soul did not know the answer, the professor would walk out of the lecture!

Despite all the humdrum associated with being a lawyer, or a law student, Shannon focuses on the holistic approach to his subject. He tells me that most of the time, the principles and concepts you learn at school are meant to be applied, rather than analyzed. However, his approach is to integrate those skills – analysis of concepts and application of the principles; a rather concise and focused view from someone who appears very laidback. Appearances, as they, are always deceiving!