Sept. 18, 2013
Calgary legal community welcomes first-year law students
First-year law students had a chance to meet and mingle with members of Calgary's legal community.
There was a buzz in the Garden Court at the Nexen building on Sept. 12 as more than 450 members of Calgary’s legal community, the judiciary, faculty, staff and alumni welcomed the Class of 2016 to the Faculty of Law at the 11th annual Law Mixer. The event, organized by the law school’s Career and Professional Development Office, is sponsored by Fasken Martineau DeMoulin LLP and gives first-year students the opportunity to meet practicing lawyers and to mingle with faculty members outside of the classroom.
“The mixer is a great opportunity for Fasken Martineau to introduce our firm to the law students in an informal setting,” says Gulu Punia, LLB’01, partner in the firm’s Calgary office. “It’s also a great opportunity for students to introduce themselves to lawyers who practice in a variety of settings.”
Breanne Hutchinson, a student leader in the Faculty of Law, understands the value for Calgary law students. As she points out, “The Calgary Law Mixer exemplifies the supportive and engaged nature of the Calgary legal community, providing a unique and crucial opportunity for students to connect with a wide variety of legal professionals in an informal, relaxed environment.”
Gulu Punia, lawyer, Breanne Hutchinson, JD student, and law dean Ian Holloway.
Maryanne Forrayi, director of the Career and Professional Development Office, acknowledges importance of the partnership between Fasken Martineau DuMoulin and the law school. “Faskens’ investment really makes a significant difference to each and every one of our students,” says Maryanne. “Events such as this help bridge the gap between their academic studies and the practice of law.”
With so many different directions a legal career path can take, the Mixer is an opportunity for law students to have a down-to-earth conversation with a lawyer and understand what it is like to practice law. Meeting with practicing lawyers allows students to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of a professional community.
“We are so excited to offer this opportunity for our students to be welcomed into the legal profession,” says Calgary law dean Ian Holloway. “It’s also great to hear from alumni who attended the mixer as a student and look forward to the event each year.”