2010/2011 ARTICLING STUDENT BIOS
Cheryl Boyd – University of Western Ontario
Cheryl received her J.D. from the University of Western Ontario and graduated as the Silver Medalist of her class. She was awarded the Middlesex Law Association Silver Medal and Scholarship for achieving the second highest standing over all three years of the J.D. program. Before attending law school, Cheryl completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies and History from Queen's University (with distinction), and has her certificate in Alternative Dispute and Conflict Resolution. While at law school, Cheryl was an intern for the Dispute Resolution Clinic, assisted a lawyer with employment law research, and was a researcher for Pro Bono Students Canada. Prior to being a summer student with A&B in 2008 and 2009, Cheryl worked at the firm for three summers as a floating legal assistant and for one summer in the estates department. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, downhill skiing and loves to travel.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith – Queen's University
Nathaniel recently graduated with a J.D. from Queen's University after previously graduating from Queen's with a B.A. in Political Studies. In the J.D. program Nathaniel was on the Dean's Honour List and won various subject-based awards, including an award for best substantial term paper. Outside of class he has played university baseball, taken part in different entrepreneurial ventures, and won awards in public speaking and mooting competitions. He also ran for a seat on the City Council of Kingston in the 2006 municipal election. Nathaniel was a summer student at A&B in both 2008 and 2009.
Ajeet Grover – University of Windsor
Ajeet recently completed his law degree at the University of Windsor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Queen's School of Policy Studies. Ajeet has also completed the Canadian Securities Course offered by the Canadian Securities Institute. During law school Ajeet worked as a case litigator at Community Legal Aid, participated in several moots – including the national Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Moot – and volunteered on numerous law school committees. Ajeet gained an invaluable introduction to administrative law and procedure in the summer after first year law school by working as a policy and legal researcher for the Ontario Energy Board. Before coming to law school he worked in the field of government relations for an industry association representing companies involved in Ontario's energy sector. In his spare time, Ajeet enjoys distance running, gourmet cooking, snowboarding, and reading about Canadian business and urban planning issues. Ajeet summered with A&B in 2009.
Alyssa Keon – University of Windsor
Alyssa graduated with her J.D. from University of Windsor. Prior to commencing her legal studies, she received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in her double major in Law & Society and History from York University. Among other activities in which she is involved, Alyssa founded the Persian Law Society at the University of Windsor. While at the University of Windsor, she was selected as a member of the admissions committee for the Faculty of Law. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Alyssa gained valuable experience in the financial industry by working for TD Canada Trust in various positions. Alyssa enjoys spending time with friends and family, and engages in a wide range of activities, including running and practicing yoga. Alyssa was a summer student at A&B in both 2008 and 2009.
Karen Levin – University of Ottawa
Karen recently graduated cum laude from the University of Ottawa Law School in the French Common Law Program. While at law school, Karen was very active in extracurricular activities, serving as President of the French Common Law Students Association and as Editor-in-Chief of the law school newspaper. Karen summered at A&B in 2009. Karen has recently published an article on cyberbullying in the Canadian Journal of Law & Technology. Prior to studying law, Karen completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in French literature at Queen's University, where she was awarded the French Medal for placing first in her program. Karen is trilingual in English, French and Spanish and enjoys travelling and writing.
Matthew Liberatore – University of Toronto
Matthew graduated with an LL.B from the University of Leicester and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Toronto. Prior to commencing his undergraduate studies, Matthew was a competitive swimmer and competed at Junior Nationals and Canadian Olympic Trial Qualifications. Matthew summered at A&B in 2009. Matthew's other work experience includes his time with a successful wine-importing agency representing various wine suppliers from Europe to the LCBO. He engages in a variety of activities such as swimming, reading, learning new languages, cooking and maintaining his marine aquarium. Most of all Matthew enjoys the pleasures of family, friends and table.
Miranda Spence – University of Toronto
Miranda recently completed her J.D. at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law. This past year, she spent a semester studying French and international law at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Contemporary Studies and Political Science at the University of King's College in Halifax. Miranda has been active with UofT's Students' Law Society, serving as Vice-President (Affairs), and was a Senior Editor for the Journal of Law and Equality. Miranda was a summer student at A&B in 2009. Prior to attending law school, Miranda spent three summers working in the office of Toronto Mayor David Miller. In her free time, Miranda enjoys live music, keeping up with politics and biking around the city.
Shaneka Taylor (formerly Shaw) – Osgoode Hall Law School
Shaneka obtained her J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. While at Osgoode, she was involved in student governance as Chair of Student Caucus of Faculty Council, was an executive member of the Black Law Students Association (Osgoode chapter), co-editor of the Yearbook and a Student Ambassador. She is currently the National Articling Representative of the Black Law Students Association of Canada. Shaneka also spent a semester at the Parkdale Community Legal Services in the Social Assistance, Violence and Health Division where she honed her client representation, written and oral advocacy skills while working for marginalized individuals. Prior to law school, she graduated from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations and Development Studies. Shaneka enjoys travelling, reading autobiographies and is convinced that, in another life, she was a wedding planner and interior designer. Shaneka summered with the firm in 2009.
Matthew Zuk – Queen's University
Matthew recently received his J.D. from Queen's University. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario where he completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Matt summered at A&B in 2009. Matthew spent the summer of 2008 travelling across South East Asia where he had the opportunity to volunteer at a number of orphanages in Cambodia. Matthew also spent a semester of his third year of law school on exchange studying EU and international law in the Netherlands. Prior to working at A&B, Matt worked for an online market research company and for the litigation claims department of the University Health Network in Toronto. In his free time, Matt loves to golf, ski and play squash and is always looking forward to his next chance to travel.