What’s it like to live in Kingston? What is life like at law school and after graduation? Alumni who graduated within the last six years answered these and other questions posed by members of the incoming Law’20 class at welcome receptions held in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa during the first two weeks of August. 

“It’s important to share any tips and traps with new students, just like Queen’s alumni did for us when we began law school,” says Brianna (Butchart) Guenther, Law’12, who participated in the Calgary reception with her husband and classmate, Kevin Guenther. Both are associates in law firms located in Alberta’s largest city – she works with Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP and he is with Stikeman Elliott LLP. “The strong community at Queen’s is a big reason Queen’s Law is so special and it’s important to foster it,” she adds. 

Combined program graduate Erin Pleet, MPA’08/Law’11, concurs. “It was great meeting the incoming students, sharing with them the differences and similarities between the undergraduate experience and law school, and encouraging them to get involved in student life at Queen’s Law.” She took part in the event held in Toronto, where she is an associate with Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP.  

Law’20 members not only stepped into the broader Queen’s Law community but also met new classmates they’ll be studying and socializing with for the next three years. 

“Starting law school may seem daunting, mysterious or coloured by what’s in movies and on TV,” says Pleet. “I want new Queen’s Law students to know that they are entering a welcoming environment, where they’ll have every opportunity to learn, make connections and succeed.”

By Lisa Graham