Our Articling Students

Reem Atallah

Reem summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. She recently graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law, where she received numerous accolades for academic excellence, including Dean’s Honour List in her first year, the course prize in Public Health Law in second year and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Scholarship for academic excellence in Trusts and Equity in third year. Reem has been active during her time at law school, serving as a tutor and mentor to fellow law students and undergraduates, a Student Leader at the Queen’s Elder Law Clinic, Head Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate course and a Student Member At Large on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Elder Law Section. Prior to law school, Reem obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University (with Distinction) and was awarded the Medal in Psychology for obtaining the highest academic standing in the department. Her undergraduate thesis won several awards, including recognition by the Canadian Psychological Association and Global Undergraduate Awards, the world’s leading undergraduate recognition program. In her free time, Reem enjoys being outdoors and listening to audiobooks.

Keira Carter

Keira summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. She recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. During law school, Keira held several leadership positions with the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA), including VP Communications & Social Media and VP Finance. She also served as a student liaison between BLSA, Black Future Lawyers and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. In her second year, she volunteered as a full-time caseworker at Downtown Legal Services. In her final year, Keira worked as a Program Assistant with Black Future Lawyers. She was recognized with the 2025 University of Toronto Student Leadership Award for outstanding leadership, volunteer service and dedication to the university community. Keira holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Royal University, where she majored in Sociology, minored in Psychology and was named to the President’s List. During her undergraduate studies, she was active in the campus community, serving as Vice President of the Art Club. Throughout her academic career, Keira has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping others, volunteering with organizations such as Pro Bono Students Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Law in Action Within Schools. In her free time, Keira enjoys gaming, art and spending time with friends.

Luke Chao

Luke summered at the firm in 2024. He recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. During law school, Luke worked as a research assistant in Taxation Law and competed as an oralist in the Bowman National Tax Moot. Before law school, Luke worked as an assistant professor at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. He also worked as a research associate at Purdue University, where he led a national survey on Chinese scholars in the U.S. The results of this survey were covered by international news outlets and have been widely cited in academic research. Luke holds a Bachelor of Economics from Tianjin University of Science and Technology, a Master of Arts from Beijing Normal University, a Master of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a PhD from the University of Oklahoma. Luke’s academic research has been published in journals such as Social Science Research and the European Journal of Population. After articling, he will be clerking at the Tax Court of Canada. Outside of law, Luke enjoys travelling, camping, caring for his two corgis and tending to his plant collection.

Nancy Chen

Nancy summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. She recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a dual JD/MBA degree from the Faculty of Law and the Rotman School of Management, where she was recognized as a John A. Tory JD/MBA Scholar for her multidisciplinary excellence and integrity. While in law school, Nancy served as a Working Group Leader for the Future of Law Lab in collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital, and held various editor roles at the University of Toronto Law Review, Indigenous Law Journal and Critical Analysis of the Law. Nancy also mentored new students as a peer mental health advisor. Before law school, Nancy earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours, with Distinction) in Biochemistry from McMaster University, where she was actively involved in evolutionary microbiology research. Her work was published in the International Journal for Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology and the Systematic and Applied Microbiology Journal. Prior to joining the firm, Nancy worked closely with a sole practitioner to prepare for a trademark case before the Federal Court of Canada. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys crocheting, reading and running along Toronto’s harbourfront.

Taylor Clapham

Taylor summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. She recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. At law school, Taylor held various leadership positions, including President of Women and the Law, Vice President Social for the Business Law Society, a mentor for first-year students and 2L Representative for the Students' Law Society. In her final year, she was elected Vice President, Social for the Students' Law Society, where she spearheaded all major student events, including the annual Law Ball and bi-weekly trivia competitions. Taylor also holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, where she graduated with Distinction. She began her undergraduate studies in Economics, receiving an award for her essay on the economics of Canada's healthcare system. During her time at Ivey, Taylor was elected section President and later served as Vice President of Student Events. Prior to joining the firm, Taylor spent a summer at a boutique civil/commercial litigation firm and two summers at a financial services firm. In her free time, Taylor enjoys baking, skiing, golfing and watching sports, especially rugby and hockey.

Aaron Hirshberg

Aaron summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. He recently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and holds an Honours in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Aaron began his legal studies at Queen's Law, where he served on the executive of the Queen's M&A Association. After transferring to Osgoode, Aaron completed an exchange at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany, earning a Certificate in Management and Leadership for Lawyers. At Osgoode, Aaron served as Vice President of Osgoode's Entertainment & Sports Law Association, leading the annual Entertainment Negotiation Competition. He also volunteered with Artists' Legal Advice Services, working alongside students from both Osgoode and the University of Toronto under the supervision of experienced entertainment and intellectual property lawyers. Before law school, Aaron interned at a Canadian film distribution company, supporting due diligence efforts during an acquisition. During his undergraduate studies, Aaron co-founded a boutique marketing agency which served clients across entertainment, fashion, fitness and other industries. Beyond Aaron’s professional endeavours, he finds joy in music, playing both the piano and guitar. He is an avid concertgoer, a passionate cook and an adventurous traveller.

Somto (George) Ibenegbu

George summered at the firm in 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Law from Igbinedion University in Nigeria, where he graduated with Distinction and was awarded the Dean’s Prize for exceptional academic performance. During law school, George served in a leadership role in the Law Students Association. George practised law in Nigeria for four years, most recently as in-house counsel at a prominent real estate and construction company. In this role, he managed all aspects of the company’s real estate transactions, and oversaw the company’s corporate governance, corporate compliance, transactional support and dispute resolution matters. After moving to Canada, George completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Humber College and received his Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis as a summer student, George was a legal assistant, where he supported various lawyers in the Corporate/Commercial and Tax Groups. Outside of work, George enjoys playing soccer, practising kickboxing, playing video games and exploring new restaurants and bars.

Sam Jones

Sam is an articling student with the firm’s Vancouver office. He recently graduated from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. While in law school, Sam worked as a research assistant in corporate law and climate governance, and completed an in-house legal internship with a regional private equity firm. Sam also facilitated engagement workshops for the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council on critical mineral and clean energy issues affecting First Nations across British Columbia, including the BC First Nations Critical Mineral Strategy. Prior to law school, Sam earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta. He also held technical and project management roles in the natural resource development and emerging technology sectors. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Sam summered at a large international law firm. Outside of work, Sam enjoys exploring British Columbia’s coastlines and spending time outdoors by skis, bike and on foot.

Daniel Kim (김제우)

Daniel summered at the firm in 2024. He recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law after having transferred from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before law school, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Rotman Commerce, specializing in Finance and Economics. Throughout his studies, Daniel volunteered in various ways for his law school community and beyond. At law school, Daniel served as a senior associate editor for the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review and worked as a research assistant for a professor in the field of Property Law. Daniel teaches Sunday School at his church and was previously a business administration intern at Pride Toronto. He also manages Luv&Love, a company focused on promoting inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community within Christian circles. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys playing video games from a variety of genres, with a particular fondness for strategy.

Jordan Mamelak

Jordan summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. He recently graduated from the JD/MBA program at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business. During law school, Jordan served as President of the Entertainment & Sports Law Association and as a Senior Caseworker at the Osgoode Business Clinic. He also worked as a teaching assistant at Schulich for an undergraduate business course and interned with FutureSight, a venture studio helping startup founders raise and allocate capital. During law school, Jordan was awarded the Gowling WLG Prize in Securities Regulation and the Bruce Leonard Prize in Insolvency Studies, and won the 2023 National Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada. Jordan also holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Lawrence University, where he studied Economics and English Literature on an NCAA tennis scholarship, graduating magna cum laude. Jordan began his tennis career at St. Lawrence as a starter on the school’s team and later captained the varsity team in his final two years. During his undergraduate studies, Jordan also interned as an analyst at Morgan Stanley and CIBC. In his free time, Jordan loves playing sports, especially tennis, hockey and golf, and is an avid supporter of Toronto’s sports teams.

Alyssa Marchese

Alyssa summered at the firm in 2023 and 2024. She recently graduated from the JD program at Osgoode Hall Law School. During law school, Alyssa held a variety of leadership roles, including Co-President of the Canadian Italian Association of Osgoode, Communications Director of the Environmental Law Society, Marketing Director of the Osgoode Society for Corporate Governance, Events Coordinator of the Osgoode Emerging Technology Association and Osgoode Ambassador to the Ontario Bar Association. She also participated in the Osgoode Business Clinic and worked as a caseworker at the Investor Protection Clinic. Prior to law school, Alyssa earned a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University, graduating summa cum laude, and was recognized with many awards for community leadership and academic achievement. She was active in student leadership, leading the Italian Student’s Association, acting as a Peer Mentor Coordinator, and serving as a member of the Equity Committee, the Faculty Council and the Inclusion Group. Before joining Aird & Berlis, Alyssa worked for a national collision repair franchise, where she led the development of environmental, social and governance policies. In her spare time, she enjoys Pilates and spending time with her family.

Emily Naveenan

Emily summered at the firm in 2024. She recently graduated from the dual Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor (French Common Law section) program at the University of Ottawa, finishing in the top 10% of her class. During her legal studies, she received the Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Prize for academic excellence in Business Associations, the Wildeboer Dellelce LLP Business Law Scholarship and the Rovinescu Award of Excellence for Community Service. Emily held several leadership roles during law school, including President of the Business Law Society, President of the Tamil Students’ Union, Vice-President of Events for the Tax Law Society and Student Liaison with the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto. Emily also served as a teaching assistant for a dispute resolution course, a research assistant in the areas of corporate and technology law, and a research fellow with a pan-African research network, where she conducted research on AI and authorship across Asia and Africa. She authored a research paper on discriminatory funding practices affecting police forces servicing First Nations communities, which was selected for presentation at the Ottawa Law Review’s annual Research Colloquium. In her final year, Emily was elected to the Law Review’s senior board, where she served as Submissions Manager (French). Before joining Aird & Berlis, Emily worked at the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and interned at the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel at the Senate of Canada. In her free time, Emily enjoys swimming and dancing.

Michelle Slipanchuk

Michelle summered at the firm in 2024. She recently completed the joint JD/MBA program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Rotman School of Management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University. Michelle was part of the Creative Destruction Lab at Rotman, an incubator for science and technology startups. She worked closely with emerging companies, helping them commercialize their technological innovations by developing financial models, evaluating potential markets and refining their intellectual property strategy. Michelle also held a part-time position as a Product Marketing Intern at a legal technology startup that developed an AI-powered legal research tool. Prior to law school, Michelle spent four years working full-time as an Employment Standards Officer at the Ontario Ministry of Labour. In this role, Michelle worked with employers and employees to enforce Ontario workplace legislation, mediate employment disputes and educate vulnerable workers about their employment rights. Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing, practising yoga and travelling.

Jacob Waltman

Jacob summered at the firm in 2024. He recently graduated with Distinction from the JD/HBA dual degree program at Western University’s Faculty of Law and Ivey Business School, earning a place on the Dean’s Honour List. After his first year of law school, Jacob interned with the Canadian Olympic Committee, contributing to preparations for the Paris Games. He was actively involved in student life at both Ivey and Western Law. Jacob served as Vice President of the Ivey Law Club, Vice President of the Sports & Entertainment Business Club and Director of the Entertainment & Sports Law Association. He led and judged the school’s Entertainment Negotiation and Hockey Arbitration competitions. He also served as Chair of Philanthropy and Vice President of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. Jacob completed an exchange at the University of Copenhagen during his final year. In his free time, Jacob enjoys playing and watching football, hockey and basketball, deepening his knowledge of movies and film, and trying out new restaurants for his food blog.