Every winter, dozens of Queen’s Law students take part in the Shadow Program, in which first-year JDs are matched with alumni and shadow them for a day to learn about the legal world in practice. Taylor Burnie, Law’19, was one of those fortunate students this February.

“A friend of mine decided to apply and recommended that I do, too,” she says. “I’m really glad I listened to her!”

Burnie sent her resume to the Career Development Office (CDO) at Queen’s Law, filled out a short survey and was matched with Jennifer Ferguson, Law’94, an Assistant Crown Attorney with the Frontenac Crown Attorney’s Office in Kingston. Ferguson, who has been involved in the program for five years and has mentored six students, finds it fulfilling to work with students and answer their questions.

“What drew me in was identifying with the situation students find themselves in prior to having any real experience in the practice of law,” says the alumna. “I was there once. I wanted to help students break down the barriers between student and practitioner by sharing my experience and introducing them to the criminal justice system in Kingston.”

The pair coordinated the day over email, and the CDO ran a training session for students about expectations and professionalism during the shadow day. “The Career Development Office does all the work! I cannot stress how easy it was to organize,” says Burnie. 

Ferguson was a good match for Burnie, who went to paralegal college and chose law school to expand her ability to practice in criminal law. After the stresses and adjustments of first-year law school, the Shadow Program was a reminder of why she wants to study law. “Seeing a lawyer in practice is so beneficial in figuring out what you want to do and to apply some of the theory you learn in law school,” she says.

Ferguson plans her shadow days so that students have a comprehensive introduction to the justice system and time for questions. “I try to take the student to both Kingston courthouses: the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. Ideally, they will see both courts in session, and meet other justice system participants,” she says. This year was no different, and Burnie had the chance to witness bail hearings and guilty pleas and to meet with defence and duty counsel, paralegals, judges and Victim/Witness Assistance Program volunteers. 

“The networking opportunities are amazing,” says Burnie. “Jennifer introduced me to so many people while I was there, including judges. I’m generally a shy person so I was having difficulty figuring out ‘networking.’ Breaking it down to one-on-one interactions was valuable and personal.”

The benefits of these student-practitioner interactions extend to alumni as well, and Ferguson is an enthusiastic advocate of the program. “It allows alumni to maintain relations with the law school through the years, to share wisdom and experience with future alumni, and to keep the Queen’s spirit alive,” she says. “Participating in the program also allows me to give back just a little to the school that gave me so much!”

Alumni who’d like to join the Shadow Program to mentor students for a day should contact Julie Banting, Director of Career Development at Queen’s Law.

By Emily Lieffers