BLSA
BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | LLOYD DEAN MOOT R E VI EW GIVING YOU THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
// EDUCATION // MENTORSHIP // COMMUNITY // CONFIDENCE // SUPPORT
ARE YOU READY?
FOR THE NEXT LLOYD DEAN MOOT? more on Page 18
WHO IS LLOYD DEAN?
Learn all about Justice Lloyd Dean who this moot is named after. He’s worth getting to know!
more on Page 5
U WINDSOR
LAW PROGRAMS more on Page 15
past moot Take a look at the last Lloyd Dean Moot in 2020.
more on Page 10
JANUARY 2021
WELCOME
To the Lloyd Dean Moot Review — The purpose of this Moot is to provide an opportunity for undergraduate students who may have an interest in becoming a lawyer or attending law school to participate in a beginner-friendly mooting competition and practice their oral advocacy skills.
experience is the best teacher Competing in the Lloyd Dean Moot competition provides an opportunity for students to build and sharpen advocacy skills, public speaking skills, critical thinking skills, and engage in legal analysis in a variety of areas of law. The skills are not only beneficial for future trial attorneys; the ability to speak persuasively and think on your feet is invaluable in all types of legal careers. While all are welcome to participate, this moot competition particularly targets Black undergraduate students who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. As a result of anti-Black racism and systemic racism, many students of colour lack access to equal opportunities, networking, and resources in legal education. By the end of the Lloyd Dean Moot, we hope these students will see themselves belonging in law school and consider careers in the legal profession.
Aucha Stewart, Kendra Wilson, Kayla Smith, Ebony Evans, Tia McCall
2020 Moot Committee
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lloyd dean moot
Giving you the tools you need to succeed
“Life is a journey with problems to solve and lessons to learn but most of all, experiences to enjoy.” -Aysha Pams Modeled after the BLSA Canada Julius Isaac Alexander National Mooting Competition for law students, the Lloyd Dean Moot will focus on an area of law in which issues of equity and diversity arise, incorporating elements of critical race theory into the moot problem. The Moot is free of charge and is open to students who are enrolled in undergraduate programs. “The Lloyd Dean Moot competition was one of the highlights of my academic career thus far. As an aspiring law student being exposed to another form of law being mooting as opposed to mock trials was a learning experience. I would highly recommend this competition to anyone with an interest in law as the more experience and exposure one gets in any law setting such as this, the better.” – Josh Rocetes (Mooter)
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Justice lloyd dean The Lloyd Dean Moot is named after the Honorable Justice Lloyd Dean, who presides at the Ontario Court of Justice in the West- Region-Essex County. He is the great grandson of the first Black lawyer in Canada, Delos Rogest. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor, Justice Dean went from playing football to going to law school at Windsor Law. Before becoming a judge, Justice Dean was a full-time prosecutor. Justice Dean thrived in the courtroom. Over the years, he built a solid reputation for this work ethic and his even-temperedness, skills that are highly prized on the bench. Justice Dean frequently returns to the University of Windsor to teach law courses, speak on panel discussions and offers his support to Windsor Law campus clubs.
a man of great influence
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BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION —
WINDSOR CHAPTER Established 1991
What is blsa windsor?
COMMITTED TO ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE. “BLSA CANADA PROMOTES INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE WITHIN CANADIAN LAW SCHOOLS AND THE LEGAL ESTABLISHMENT IN AN EFFORT TO EASE THE ADJUSTMENT INVOLVED IN THE TRANSITION FROM LAW SCHOOL TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION”
The Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) at Windsor Law is affiliated with the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada (BLSA Canada). The Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA Canada) at Windsor Law provides both formal and informal space to discuss and explore critical thinking, legal policy issues, academic mentorship, and effective career strategies. The BLSA at Windsor hosts both social and academic events to all members of the Faculty of Law. We also designate external outreach as part of our mandate. In line with BLSA Canada’s mission, we are committed to supporting and enhancing the academic, professional and networking opportunities for Black law students. Specifically, our chapter at the University of Windsor seeks to promote a more integrated and culturally competent student body. We believe that in doing so we are fostering a more diverse, yet cohesive legal community. Come one, come all, regardless of skin colour or ethnicity!
Follow BLSA Windsor @blsawindsor
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WHAT IS A MOOT?
what is the benefit of mooting?
“This experience has allowed me to gain relative experience and skills that I will need for law school such as oral argumentation and critical reading skills. This has also prepared me for future experiences in law school like mooting competitions.� -Katrina Hermle (Mooter)
Mooting is a competition that requires you to read a hypothetical scenario, research the legal issues, write legal arguments and present them before a panel of judges who will interrupt you with questions which you must defend. If you are an undergraduate student interested in attending law school, participating in moot competitions provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the law, engage with interesting legal issues and network with law students and legal professionals. If you decide to attend law school, in addition to attending classes, you may be required to participate in a moot court exercise in which you must argue a hypothetical court case. The benefits of mooting extend beyond earning school credits. Moot competitions are an excellent way to test your ability to think on your feet and communicate effectively. Mooting enhances public speaking skills, critical thinking and how to construct a persuasive argument. Mooting also teaches the value of teamwork. These skills can serve you in a classroom, in the workforce and throughout all walks of life.
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PAST MOOTS 2020 Moot Competition Date: March 7, 2020
Moot Committee
Kayla Smith (Chair) Ebony Evans Jhanel Dundas Aucha Stewart Kendra Wilson Tia McCalla
Moot Problem Writer Nashara Peart
Moot Coaches
Emilie Ptak Shelina Ruda Savreet Chuckal Inderdeep Toor Christopher Zhao
ALL PARTICIPANTS Preliminary Round Judges
Mooters
Jilian Rogin Jacqueline Eboh Christian Bron Logan Annisette Sabih Ottawa Jessica Hammond Katherine Fisher Gideon Ampofo Farnaz Talebpour Tiana Knight Princess Doe Stephanie Brown Matthew Chikaonda
Kayah Clarke Saveth Sao John Seamann Joshua Rocetes Lorraine Thomas George Una Leonard Ancheta Brayden Butler Jake Loewen Spencer Agard Kevon Jamieson-Hanson Katrina Hermle Adetayo Adeyeye Kelvin Adeleya-Apanisile B L S A W I N D SO R
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Final Round Justices
Justice Lloyd Dean Justice Renee Pomerance Justice Douglas Philips
Clerks
Mohid Nadeem Kayla Clarke Khadija Shamisa Taiwo Onabolu Kendra Wilson
MEET THE
founding moot chair Kayla campbell
It is my honour to be the founding Chair of the Lloyd Dean Moot hosted by the Black Law Students’ Association at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Established in 2019, this mooting competition was envisioned to fill a gap between undergraduate studies and law school. Through the Lloyd Dean Moot, students with an interest in law can compete in a beginner-friendly tournament, gain introductory lawyering skills, and network with law students, law professors, legal practitioners and sitting justices. We also include a session on admission to law school, and friends and family are invited to an awards reception in celebration of the winners. By the end of the event, it is my hope that interested undergraduate students can see themselves belonging at law school.
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BLSA Windsor
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MEET THE 2020
MOOT PROBLEM WRITER NASHARA PEART
Nashara is a graduate of the Dual JD program offered by the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. She currently works as an Associate in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. in Detroit, Michigan. Nashara previously served as the National Conference Chair of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) in 2016-17, and also served as BLSA Canada National President in 2017-18. Nashara continues to work with BLSA Canada as Chair of the Alumni Advisory Council, and also remains a continued supporter of the local BLSA Windsor chapter. She was honoured to serve as the inaugural problem creator for the first annual Lloyd Dean Moot, and looks forward to seeing the continued success of BLSA Windsor’s moot program.
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MEET THE 2021
MOOT PROBLEM WRITER danardo jones
Danardo Jones is an assistant professor of law at Windsor Law teaching in the areas of criminal law, race and the law and access to justice. He earned a BA in Law from Carleton University, a JD from the University of Ottawa, and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he is also currently completing his Ph.D. Professor Jones also has years of experience working as a staff lawyer at various Legal Aid organizations across Eastern Canada and Ontario. His scholarly research investigates how race, particularly Blackness, is or ought to be understood and articulated within the criminal justice system.
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ARE YOU CONSIDERING
law school? —
Attending law school is among the most transformative experiences you can have as a student. The law can be used as an adaptive tool for social change and seeking justice. Law school provides opportunities for activism, public service, and international travel as part of the law school education. All you need is a sense of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.
AMONG THE MOST
You may have heard that the primary purpose of law school is to teach you to think like a lawyer. Law school will teach you the ability to be analytical, think critically and adapt quickly to different situations. In today’s dynamic and rapidly changing work environment, the ability to think critically will
TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES
be highly valuable to employers and organizations. The skills you will learn in law school are highly transferable and can make a difference in any avenue you choose to pursue. A legal education can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities and equip you to pursue a career in any field, in which you are the most passionate. Law school graduates can pursue careers in government, health care, technology, the environment, human rights, entertainment, international affairs, and even cyber-security.
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REQUIREMENTS & ADMISSIONS
For more than 50 years, Windsor Law has put people and their experiences at the centre of legal education through our teaching, research, advocacy and service. We use law as an adaptive tool for social change and offer a comprehensive and rigorous legal education. Our focus on Access to Justice and Transnational Law shapes our programs, which provide a broad legal education and unique opportunities to learn practical justice skills in a supportive environment that nurtures lifelong relationships. At Windsor Law, our greatest asset is our people who are committed to helping you explore and achieve your dreams. Our professors are engaged in important research about current and significant legal and social issues. Our staff is dedicated to the betterment of the student experience and our students work together to form a vibrant intellectual and social community. Your personal and professional success is our priority. Our campus, situated next to North America’s busiest international border crossing, faces one of Canada’s most beautiful waterfronts that stretches along the Detroit River. There is no better place to study comparative Canada-U.S. law or to earn joint Canadian & American Dual JD degrees that will allow you to practice law in both countries. Windsor Law is proud to be one of the most diverse law schools in Canada. In fact, of our first-year class 51% speak a second language, 25% are first generation Canadians, 60% identify as female, 54% identify as racialized, 19% are the first in their family to attend university and 86% are the first in their family to attend law school. Student wellness is paramount. In addition to the 26 student supports offered on campus, Windsor Law offers: free and confidential sessions with an on-site clinical therapist, an on-site Elder who adopts the role of surrogate grandmother or grandfather, a peer mentorship program, a volunteer-based student group that hosts wellness events and initiatives, numerous online self-help guides and resources to promote well-being. Studying law at Windsor is collaborative, challenging and real. Whatever your goals, whatever your plan, we have a program for you.
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U Windsor Law
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Juris Doctor (JD): Our three-year JD program provides the theoretical framework and experiential learning opportunities to effectively and successfully practise law in Canada. Students have the opportunity to customize their program to fit their individual interests. Canadian & American Dual JD: The Canadian & American Dual JD Program offers a unique curriculum for students to earn a law degree in both Canada and the United States in just three years. This integrated program is a collaboration between Windsor Law and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration: The integrated JD/MBA program offers two powerful degrees through a condensed, fouryear curriculum. This program promotes the integration of law and business through an interdisciplinary curriculum offered by Windsor Law and the Odette School of Business. Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work: The integrated JD/MSW program offers students an opportunity to earn both a law degree and a social work degree through a condensed, four-year curriculum. This program promotes the integration of law and social work through an interdisciplinary commitment to social justice. Mater of Laws (LLM): The LLM program is geared towards lawyers looking to further specialize in almost any area of law. Students may choose from two streams: a one-year, research-based LLM degree or a two-year LLM degree with a certificate in University Teaching and Learning.
Katia Benoit MEd, BSc Assistant Dean (Admissions, Recruitment & External Relations) katia@uwindsor.ca
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A WARM THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Our Partners Make a Difference
We are so grateful for the support of our corporate partners, who are committed to helping students, strengthening and building confidence of law students and future law students. Together, we are helping make a difference in the lives of so many.
Fill out our sponsorship form to find out how you can partner with us! http://lloyddeanmoot.com/sponsors/ B L S A W IN DS O R
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2021 MOOTING COMPETITION Saturday, March 6th, 2021 Mooting is a competition that requires you to read a hypothetical scenario, research the legal issues, write legal arguments and present them before a panel of judges who will interrupt you with questions which you must defend.
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LLOYD DEAN MOOT REVIEW 2021
DESIGNED BY JH ARTISTRY