Our 2021/2022 Articling Students

Portia Biswas

Portia summered at the firm in 2019 and 2020. She recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction) from Ryerson University. In 2021, Portia received the Gurston Allen Prize in Conflict of Laws as the student of highest standing in the class. During her time at Osgoode, Portia participated in multiple moot competitions, placing as a quarter-finalist in the Lerners Moot and a top oralist in the Frozen Open Osgoode Moot. In her final year, Portia participated in the 2021 Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot, where Osgoode won Best Team. Portia is passionate about community and non-profit initiatives. Throughout law school, Portia served as an executive of Fair Change, a legal clinic that represents street involved individuals, where she managed student advocates and liaised with the Board of Directors. In her second year, Portia spent a semester as a Caseworker in the Housing Rights Division at Parkdale Community Legal Services. Portia also volunteered as a crisis responder with Crisis Services Canada and was a vocal director for Osgoode’s annual musical variety show. Portia is currently the Managing Student Editor for Codify Legal Publishing’s monthly Mining and Minerals Report. Prior to law school, Portia worked in development and fundraising for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, an organization founded by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul. During her time at the Institute, she supported the launch of an international conference, managed relationships with national corporations and co-ordinated events featuring speakers such as the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. Portia is an avid biker, baker and concertgoer, and is determined to make 2021 the year she learns to golf.

Simon Dugas

Simon summered at the firm in 2020. He recently graduated from Western Law and has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Media and the Public Interest (with Distinction) and a Certificate in Ethics from Western University. In undergrad, Simon spent two years on Western’s varsity rowing team before switching to water polo after a serious injury. An inexperienced water polo player at first, Simon quickly became a member of the varsity travelling team, owing to his strong work ethic and eagerness to learn. Simon was awarded a Western “Bronze W” award and a varsity graduation ring during his seven-year tenure as a varsity athlete. Simon spent several summers as the Director for the University of Toronto Mississauga’s summer camp programs before hanging up his camp uniform to pursue law. At law school, Simon was an active member of the University community. For the past two years, he worked as a Case Manager for Western Law’s Sport Solution Legal Clinic, where he assisted Olympic and National Team athletes in resolving their legal issues, ranging from team selection to athlete funding disputes, in preparation for the Olympics in Tokyo. He further served as the Speaker for the Western Law Student Legal Society where he ensured that Council was run effectively and a plurality of voices were heard on contentious issues during the pandemic. In addition to his involvement in the law school community, Simon participated in numerous mooting competitions. In 2019, Simon was awarded first place in the Lenczner Slaght Legal Ethics and Professionalism Moot. In later years, he went on to represent Western Law in the Warren K. Winkler Class Actions Moot in 2020 and the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot in 2021, as an oralist and a researcher, respectively. Simon enjoys staying active as much as possible as an avid jogger and swimmer. When he’s not working, he likes to try new recipes and restaurants and spend time with his family and friends.

Corey Fletcher

Corey summered at the firm in 2019 and 2020. He recently completed his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. At Osgoode, Corey was the recipient of The Honourable N.W. Rowell Prize for excellence in Public International Law, as well as the Dean’s Gold Key Award in recognition of his significant contribution to the Osgoode community. Corey was active in Osgoode’s chapter of the Black Law Students Association (“BLSA Osgoode”), including serving as a member of the 1L Curriculum Review Steering Committee. In that role, he (along with several faculty members) reviewed the first year curriculum to assess its consistency with the law school’s equity, diversity and inclusion mandate. Corey spearheaded BLSA Osgoode’s inaugural Mental Health and Wellness Retreat, served as an academic mentor and helped organize the Black Law Students Association National Conference. As a Dean’s Fellow, Corey served as a teaching assistant for the Contracts course. In his role as an executive on Osgoode’s Student Caucus, Corey represented the academic interests of all Osgoode students. Corey was also a caseworker at Osgoode’s Venture Capital Clinic. In 2020, Corey worked in Geneva as an intern at the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights. Most recently, he was also a student member on Osgoode’s Admissions Committee and was integral in the selection of the 2021/22 class. Corey has a Bachelor of Medical Science (with an Honours Specialization in Physiology) from Western University, where he graduated as a Western Scholar and with Distinction. In his final year at Western, Corey completed his thesis in Pancreatic Cancer Research at Robarts Research Institute at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. While at Western, Corey worked as an emergency responder and consulted with Campus Police and community services to create student-friendly safety policies. He successfully advocated on behalf of Ontario students for increased tuition support for low-income students, as well as greater mental health resources for all students. Corey was awarded the Katherine Stayshyn Heart of Gold Award for leadership and community service. Corey is a member of the Legal & Risk and Medical Staff Credentialing team at William Osler Health System, where he has helped to develop consent and capacity frameworks and community hospital operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He enjoys sports and has an unhealthy obsession with karaoke.

Jose Garcia-Bonilla

Jose summered at the firm in 2020. He recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Prior to Osgoode, Jose obtained a Bachelor of Science with an Honours Specialization in Genetics. There, he spent his final year analyzing the efficacy of mRNA-based pesticides. At Osgoode, Jose worked as a caseworker for the Community and Legal Aid Services Program (“CLASP”) within the Administrative Law division, representing clients with a wide range of legal issues such as academic discipline, human rights and housing. Jose then held the role of student co-chair on the CLASP Advisory Board of Directors where he advised the CLASP director and faculty member in connection with student perspectives on clinic operations and program development. Jose also worked as a certified community mediator for the York Region Housing Mediation Services, helping resolve disputes between tenants and landlords through mediation, fostering open communication and emphasizing common interests. Outside of law school, Jose is a coffee enthusiast, indulging in roasts from around the world and experimenting with different brewing methods. He also enjoys catering to his creative side through photography and songwriting.

Samantha Hans

Samantha recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in International Development and Political Science, where she graduated with Distinction. During her undergraduate years, Samantha worked at McGill’s Sexual Assault Centre, creating and leading workshops on consent for junior high and high school students in Montreal. She also interned with the United Nations Development Programme in Barbados, assisting grassroots community organizations in applying for UN funding. After graduating from McGill, she spent a year working full-time for a boutique real estate law firm, with a focus on commercial leasing. While at law school, Samantha volunteered with the International Human Rights Program and shadowed an immigration lawyer on a Group of Five refugee claim through the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program. Samantha served as a Senior Editor on the Critical Analysis of Law Journal, and worked as a Family Law caseworker at the school’s legal clinic. More recently, Samantha served as the Program Co-ordinator for Pro Bono Students Canada, managing the U of T Chapter which is comprised of over one hundred law students working on over fifty pro bono community projects. She also volunteered for Pro Bono Students Canada’s National Office, assisting with training materials for incoming Program Co-ordinators across the country. Samantha enjoys travelling and has lived and studied in New Mexico, Barbados, Calgary, Montreal and now Toronto.

Brodie Kirsh

Brodie summered with the firm in 2019 and 2020. She recently graduated from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. At law school, Brodie received various awards for academic achievement and merit. She ranked second in the first year JD program. For standing first in her class in Contract Law, she received the Fasken Martineau LLP Achievement in Contract Law Award. In addition, she was awarded the Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Professional Excellence Award, the Cassels Brock & Blackwell Centennial Prize in Practice Skills and the Donich Entrepreneurial Scholarship in Law. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University in Finance, Marketing and Entrepreneurship. During her undergraduate summers, Brodie worked at a start-up called Achievers as a Financial Analyst and helped with the valuation and due diligence when the company was acquired. After graduating from McGill, Brodie was invited to join Bell Canada’s Toronto office as a member of the Graduate Leadership Program where she held various positions ranging from Internet of Things Forecasting Specialist to Customer Experience Consultant. A highlight from her time at Bell includes working with Bell’s Value Creation Team on high level strategy for the acquisition of a home security company. During her time at law school, she was an active member on the Mental Health Initiatives team, acted as VP of Operations of the Corporate Law Club and volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada on the Wills Project. Beyond work and school, Brodie is an enthusiastic adventure traveller and most recently climbed Japan’s Mount Fuji. In her spare time, Brodie loves cooking and sewing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created a mask business with proceeds supporting the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Brodie loves playing volleyball, cheering for her beloved Toronto sports teams and wakesurfing.

Angela Oh

Matthew Patterson

Matthew summered at Aird & Berlis in 2019 and 2020. He graduated as the Gold Medallist from the Faculty of Law at Western University, where he studied on a Dean of Law Entrance Scholarship. During law school, he was awarded the Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Award and Faculty Association Scholarship for top standing in first year, as well as the A.B. Siskind Scholarship for highest standing in third year. He also won course awards for Property and Tort Law, as well as the Catalyst Capital Scholarship in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law and the Harold G. Fox Education Fund Award for outstanding academic achievement. He was an active mooter in law school. In his first year, he won the provincial Hicks Morley Cup and was a finalist in the Legate Medical Malpractice Moot. In second year, he competed in the Phillip C. Jessup Public International Law Moot, where his team advanced to the international rounds and he was recognized as one of the top five oralists in Canada. Although the international rounds were eventually cancelled due to the pandemic, his team’s written materials won an Alona E. Evans award, ranking 17th in the world. In third year, he was a student coach for Western’s Jessup team, helping guide them to a national championship and a place in the octofinals at internationals. Matthew also served as the editor-in-chief of the Western Journal of Legal Studies where he supervised a team of 30 students through the editing and publication process of academic papers. Before law school, he completed his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Western, studying History at Huron University College. He was the Gold Medallist for his graduating class and received the Jordan Propas Award for Community Involvement, as well as awards for achievement in Canadian and world history. His undergraduate research took him to the British National Archives in London, where he researched German espionage operations during the First World War. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading, cooking and having his heart broken by the Leafs. After articling, Matthew will spend a year as a clerk for the justices of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.