Osgoode Takes Home Warren K. Winkler Cup
 L to R: Professor Leanne Shafir, Darren Hall, Ontario Chief Justice Warren Winkler, Rebecca Zaretsky, Simon Leith, Elias Lyberogiannis |
Last Friday the Osgoode team of Darren Hall ‘11, Simon Leith ’12, Elias Lyberogiannis ’12 and Rebecca Zaretsky ’11 won the Warren K. Winkler Cup, the award for the top Canadian law school at the International Competition for Mediation Advocacy (ICMA). The team placed third overall out of 15 law schools from the United States, Canada and India in the competition, which was held March 7 to 11 at Osgoode Hall in downtown Toronto.
After six strong rounds by the entire team, Elias and Darren moved on to the quarter-finals, defeating first-seeded Texas Wesleyan University, and advancing to the semi-finals against Fordham University (New York). Their skillful match, coupled with strategic planning and assistance from Rebecca and Simon, ensured their third-place finish, and their seating as the top Canadian law school for the second year in a row.
Heartiest congratulations to our team for a top-notch performance and to their coach, Professor Leanne Shafir. Team members said Professor Shafir’s “tireless effort, invaluable guidance and support” before and during the competition helped spur them on to victory. The team also thanks Professor Emeritus Fred Zemans for “his invaluable insights and hard work” in helping the team prepare for the competition.
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Nathan Higgins ’11 Awarded Frederick Zemans Prize in Poverty Law
| Speaking of Professor Zemans, every year Parkdale Community Legal Services presents the Frederick Zemans Prize in Poverty Law to an Osgoode student who delivers exceptional service for the clinic and the community.
On February 23, the 2010 award was presented to third-year JD student Nathan Higgins who worked for two terms – one summer and one academic – in the Immigration division. Demonstrating his versatility, he was then asked back for an additional summer term, this time in the Social Assistance, Violence and Health (SAVAH) division.
During his time with PCLS, Nathan demonstrated a commitment to the ideals of community lawyering and community action, going to great lengths for his colleagues and his clients. Congratulations to Nathan on this achievement!
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 L to R: Geraldine Sadoway, Immigration Division Staff Lawyer; Peggy-Gail Dehal-Ramson, SAVAH Division Community Legal Worker; Nathan Higgins; Kunga Tsering, Co-chair of the PCLS Board of Directors |
Inbal Marcovitch Recognized by York for her Contribution to Internationalization
 Inbal Marcovitch |
I just received the fantastic news today that Osgoode Research Coordinator Inbal Marcovitch has been chosen to receive the York International 2011 Award (in the staff category) for Outstanding Contribution to Internationalization. The award will be given out March 25 at the Cultural Gala, York International’s annual year-end event featuring a dinner, cultural performances and the awards ceremony.
Inbal, who first came to York as an international student and then became an employee and also a part-time graduate student in the Master of Education program, was nominated for the award by Laura Crane, International Education Coordinator in York’s Faculty of Education.
Ms Crane said Inbal “has been dedicated to the internationalization of the University”, taking on a number of roles including working at York International, the Research and Field Development office in the Faculty of Education, and Osgoode where she is planning and facilitating international programs.
“Inbal has a wonderful curiosity about others and she also has a thirst for new experiences and understanding the perspectives of others,” said Ms Crane, adding that Inbal has been “inspirational” to students at York and in other universities.
She said Inbal “understands the importance of internationalization in a very deep way” and noted her participation in a number of international activities including the Emerging Global Leaders Conference from 2004 to 2006 and her efforts in starting a student club at York that works with several faculties and groups as a branch of the World Health Organization’s “Health as a Bridge to Peace.”
We are delighted that Inbal has been recognized with this award. Congratulations Inbal!
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Second for Osgoode in Donald G. H. Bowman Tax Moot
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Hats off to the Osgoode team of Lindsay Beelen '11, Kate Doyle '12, Saktish Pillai '12, Jennifer Pocock (Wang) '11 and Shimmy Posen '11 who finished a strong second overall in the inaugural Donald G. H. Bowman Tax Moot.
Osgoode was the only school in the competition with both Respondent and Appellant teams going into the semi-finals. The final round was between Osgoode, represented by Lindsay and Saktish who acted as the Respondents, and a team from the University of Windsor's law school who won.
This was the first year of the moot organized by Windsor Law School and sponsored in large part by Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP.
The award for Best Factum (Appellant) went to Kate and Jennifer and Lindsay received the award for Best Advocate.
The team wishes to thank Professor Lisa Philipps, who served as Faculty Coach for the team, Professor Jinyan Li who also provided invaluable insight and advice, and the coaches from Osler Hoskin and Harcourt LLP: Al Meghji, Pooja Samtani, Martha Macdonald and Scott Wilkie.
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 L to R: Saktish Pillai, Lindsay Beelen, Kate Doyle, Jennifer Pocock (Wang), Shimmy Posen |