Judicial Law Clerk (Communication Studies and Political Science, BA)

Laura Goldfarb, Supreme Court of Canada (SCC)

By: Harnoor Aulakh, Outreach & Support Peer 

Behind every legal decision is a judicial law clerk just like Laura, whose valuable analysis and diligent research help to shape the course of Supreme Court cases. Laura completed a double degree in Political Science and Communications where she also served as a writing tutor and became involved in Laurier’s Moot Court campus club, which allow students to participate in simulated court proceedings and argue hypothetical cases. Moot courts became an obsession for Laura as she loved the feeling of finding simple ways to articulate complex ideas and the challenge of thinking on her feet. This solidified her desire to pursue a legal career through the Doctor of Law – JD degree at the University of Toronto.

Laura currently serves as a Judicial Law Clerk with the Supreme Court of Canada, a role she applied to during the second year of her JD program. Every day is different working as a judicial law clerk at the Supreme Court. Some days, Laura attends hearings, in which each party’s lawyers make legal submissions and field questions from the panel of nine judges. Other days, she provides research assistance to support her judge in coming to informed and well-reasoned decisions. Having the time and opportunity to think deeply about nuanced legal issues in all areas of the law – from criminal law to corporate law and everything in between – is Laura’s favourite part about being a judicial law clerk.

For Laura, working closely with a Supreme Court judge presents an incredible opportunity to apply critical thinking. Communication is also key to success in the role. For many aspiring lawyers, speaking with a judge or in front of a crowd (litigation) may seem daunting. However, Laura notes that the legal field offers multiple ways to be valuable, such as through researching and reading cases and formulating legal arguments. In other words, you can find your niche in the legal profession where you are utilizing your preferred strengths and skills. For Laura, this included writing, which she discovered was a skill through her time as a writing tutor with Laurier’s Writing Centre. She also realized her enjoyment of writing through completing a legal writing course during her undergraduate studies, as well as having an encouraging and motivating mentor, Jeff Boich, during her participation with Laurier Moot Court. 

Laura is excited to embark on the next chapter of her career, practicing litigation at a national full-service law firm. Her current role has served as a valuable stepping stone toward this goal as it has helped her better understand the thinking behind decisions and has offered some eye-opening moments as to how legal positions are established and how legal materials and resources are utilized.

Applying to law school can certainly be a daunting process. Laura notes that even if you think that your grades aren’t good enough, or your LSAT score isn’t high enough – you should still apply. Law school admissions teams look not only at LSAT and GPA, but also at other facets of your application, such as experience, personal statement, and references.

Laura emphasizes the importance of embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. She encourages seeking new experiences, even when they seem challenging or time-consuming. “Make sure to say yes to everything that's offered to you, even if you think it's too hard or think you're too busy, time will expand. Say yes to everything that's offered, because the more you do, the more opportunities will come to you!”