Our 2020/2021 Articling Students

Sara Abhari

Sara summered at the firm in 2019. She recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Prior to Osgoode, she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, Trinity College, graduating with High Distinction. During her undergraduate studies, Sara worked at the Community Care Access Centre, supporting health care workers and assessing legal guardianship frameworks. During her time at Osgoode Hall, Sara worked as a caseworker at the Parkdale Legal Clinic, in its employment division. She advocated in court, as well as at the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Human Rights Tribunal. Sara has a particular interest in corporate law, intellectual property law and energy law. Upon graduating from U of T, Sara interned at an intellectual property law boutique. In 2018, Sara summered in the Frankfurt office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, in the corporate department, assisting with regulatory matters including energy and competition law. In her third year of law school, Sara spent a semester studying at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, learning about German and EU business law. Growing up between Toronto and Zurich, Sara has a strong interest in languages. She studied Latin during university, and is fluent in English and German (and working her way toward fluency in French).

Stacey Blydorp

Stacey summered at the firm in 2018 and after taking a leave of absence in the summer of 2019 to care for her newborn daughter, she is thrilled to be back. Stacey recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Upon graduation, she was a recipient of the Honourable F.H. Barlow Scholarship for her academic achievement in business law courses. She was also awarded the Bereskin & Parr LLP Prize for the highest standing in Patent Law. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Guelph, with a focus on Economics and Political Science. She was on the Dean’s Honour List throughout her undergraduate career and graduated With Distinction. During her time at Osgoode, she worked as a contributor for TheCourt.ca, an award-winning student legal blog. For two years, she volunteered with Osgoode’s Business Clinic, where she assisted small businesses with various legal issues. Stacey also participated in multiple mooting competitions, was a finalist for the Lerner’s Cup Moot and was recognized as a Distinguished Oralist. She also represented Osgoode in its victory at the Baby Gale moot. Stacey enjoyed judging numerous moots throughout her time at Osgoode and serving as an executive with Christian Legal Fellowship. In her spare time, Stacey can be found sampling new local take-out options with her husband, or hiking the Bruce Trail with her toddler on her back.

Emily Chittick

Emily summered at the firm in 2019. She recently graduated law school from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Originally from England, Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish (with First Class Honours) from the University of Leeds, and is fluent in both languages. During her undergraduate degree, she worked in Paris as a legal intern with PwC. After her first year of law school, Emily summered at CarbonFree Technology, a leader in the development and financing of solar projects around the world. Emily also has extensive volunteer experience. She spent three months in northern Thailand teaching English and supporting children with disabilities. During her first year at Osgoode she was a volunteer with Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS), mentoring high school students in Toronto. In her second year of law school, Emily spent a semester as a Caseworker in the Housing Rights Division at Parkdale Community Legal Services, where she provided legal support to low-income members of the Parkdale community facing eviction. She developed her advocacy skills by appearing before the Landlord and Tenant Board on numerous occasions. Emily loves to travel and explore local cuisine. She spent four months in her final year of law school as an exchange student at the University of Hong Kong, during which time she visited numerous countries in Asia (including Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam).

Peter A. Dalglish

Peter summered at the firm in 2018 and 2019. He recently graduated from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Linguistics) from McGill University. An active member of his law school community, Peter served on the Admissions Committee, the Academic Planning Committee and the Law Building Steering Committee. Peter received special distinction for his first year moot, was ranked as a top 12 oral advocate in his first year class, and placed in the top 10% of students in his second year class. In his final year, he was awarded the Morris D. Baker Scholarship in recognition of his academic achievement in Municipal Law and Land Use Planning courses. Peter also worked as a student advisor for the Faculty of Law’s Career Services Office and volunteered as a peer mentor. Peter was appointed to sit on the Legal Futures Subcommittee of the Canadian Bar Association for the 2019/20 term, as its only law student representative. He was recently re-appointed for the 2020/21 term. When he was 18, Peter traveled on his own to a remote village in the Himalayas to conduct a volunteer project at a learning center. He spent his time assisting primary school students with their daily needs, and working to challenge systemic barriers to education like gender and caste. He completed an internship with the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation and represented Canada as a delegate at the 2016 One Young World summit. In 2017, Peter summered at InfoTech Research Group, a leading technology consultancy. A passionate Habs, Raptors and Liverpool FC fan, Peter enjoys discussing and watching sports with friends. He is an avid reader and foodie, and has traveled to over 40 countries.

Stan Fedun

Stan summered at the firm in 2018 and 2019. He recently graduated from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Stan received a Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction and a Master of Arts, both in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Prior to law school, Stan worked in politics. During the 2014 Ontario general election, Stan managed the Ontario PC campaign in Etobicoke Centre. After the election, Stan worked at Queen’s Park as legislative assistant to the Leader of the Official Opposition. During the 2015 federal general election, Stan was executive assistant to the Minister of Finance. In 2016 and 2017, Stan worked as government relations advisor to the Consul General of Israel. During his first year of law school, Stan volunteered at Community Legal Aid. During his second year of law school, Stan participated in the 2019 Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot where he and his teammates won Best Team and Best Appellant Factum. Stan was also tutorial assistant for the first year Constitutional Law class. During his third year of law school, Stan was tutorial assistant for the Income Tax and Advanced Tax courses. He was also a student coach for Windsor Law’s 2020 Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot team. In his spare time, Stan enjoys playing tennis, cycling, golfing, running, and spending time with friends and family. He occasionally writes for Tax Profile, Canada’s most widely read tax newsletter. After articling, Stan will clerk at the Tax Court of Canada.

Amelia McLeod

Amelia recently graduated from the Faculty of Law at Western University. She studied English Literature at Queen’s University and was on the Dean’s List, but opted to cut her studies short to attend law school. While at law school, she volunteered as a Case Manager with the Western Business Law Clinic and worked as a teaching assistant for first year students in the Contracts and Legal Research, Writing & Advocacy courses. Amelia is an avid mooter and is passionate about oral advocacy. In 2019, Amelia was the sixth-ranked oralist at the Canadian national rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Before attending law school, Amelia travelled the world as a competitive debater. She has won competitions including the North American Women’s Debating Championship and the Hart House Intervarsity international debating competition. She also had the honour of being selected to judge the final round of two World Universities Debating Championships. While an undergraduate, Amelia worked as a speechwriter for a Member of Provincial Parliament, and as a Project Analyst and Communications Assistant at the Project Management Office of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Amelia also taught the LSAT, SAT, and ACT to a diverse range of students. In her spare time, Amelia is an avid podcast listener and an aspiring home cook.

Christian Nianiaris

Christian summered at the firm in 2019. He recently graduated magna cum laude from the Dual J.D. Program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to law school, he graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Political Science). After graduating from McGill he worked for two years in the Operations Department at CI Financial, a diversified wealth management firm and one of Canada’s largest investment companies. Thereafter, he volunteered at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, Michael Garron Hospital and a boutique immigration law firm. At law school, Christian volunteered at Community Legal Aid in Windsor and the Veterans Law Clinic in Detroit. While at the Veterans Law Clinic, he successfully advocated before an administrative tribunal for the reinstatement of benefits for a U.S. military veteran. In his final year, he was a member of the Windsor Law Cities and Climate Action Forum where he presented to environmental experts and municipal staff on the need for municipalities to implement effective climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Some of his most memorable law school experiences involved working as a Teaching Assistant for the Property Law Course in his second and third years of law school. At law school, Christian received various awards for academic achievement. For ranking at the top of his first year class, he received the Aird & Berlis LLP Award, the Canadian & American Dual JD Program Excellence Award and the Detroit Mercy Law Legacy of Excellence Scholarship. In addition, he was awarded the Ralph E. McDowell and Nancy A. Glen Scholarship for high academic standing during his third year, as well as course prizes for the highest standing in the Veterans Law Clinic and Professional Responsibility courses. Christian enjoys spending time with his family and friends, pursuing his interests in literature and film, and searching through the woods for his golf ball after a questionable shot off the tee. 

Al Turnbull

Al summered at the firm in 2019 and recently graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Al was born and raised in Winnipeg. Before moving to Ottawa for law school, he graduated With Distinction from the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Political Studies. Al was an active member of the University of Manitoba community, and was elected to various leadership and community positions. Most notably, Al served as the President of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years, representing approximately 26,000 undergraduate students. In addition to his community service and studies, Al was an accomplished student athlete. He played linebacker for the University of Manitoba Bisons football team for five years and was named team captain in 2014. He maintained high academic standing and was designated as an Academic All-Canadian throughout his playing career. Al loves meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. Between degrees, Al spent two and a half years working and travelling in various countries. One of his fondest experiences was managing a bar in Melbourne, Australia. Al enjoys yoga, fishing, watching hockey, and learning languages (a by-product of his background in linguistics). Fluent in French and English, he is now working on his third language – Spanish. Al values mindfulness and has carried on a meditation practice for several years. He is excited to call Toronto home despite being surrounded by so many Leaf fans -- as an avid fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Al is thankful that the teams are in different conferences.