By Mohak Chauhan, JD Candidate (3L), Lincoln Alexander School of Law
The past summer, I had the privilege of working as a law student at The Law Foundation of Ontario with the Class Proceedings Fund team. My time here has been extremely rewarding. I had the chance to work alongside a very dedicated and skilled group, dive into diverse practice areas, and support the vital work the Fund is doing in various ways.
An important aspect of my work involved carrying out legal research to support the assessment of funding application. I researched and reviewed a broad range of class actions across multiple fields, including securities, employment, and privacy law. This part of my work taught me the critical elements that can affect the success and management of class action cases down the road.
Additionally, I had the chance to observe certification and motion hearings at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It was very educational to see how theory translates into practice, and witness the creative strategies used by legal professionals to advocate for their positions.
Perhaps the most unique opportunity I had throughout this summer was attending the Class Proceedings Committee hearings. Being able to watch as the Committee reasoned and deliberated applications helped me understand the key factors that drive their decision-making process, while also deepening my appreciation of the complexities of class action litigation. It was fascinating to see how the Committee members with their decades of experience could effortlessly pick up on nuances and subtleties that might not have been apparent to those newer to the field.
I am also extremely thankful to the Class Proceedings Fund team, who have contributed significantly to my learning throughout the summer. Their constructive feedback and guidance have helped me sharpen my analytical and legal research and writing skills. Their constant support and encouragement allowed me to grow both professionally and personally.
As I reflect on my experience, the most rewarding part of the summer was knowing that my work was improving access to justice and helping provide opportunities to people who might otherwise be unable to access the judicial system. It has been an enlightening and fulfilling journey that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career. I am beyond grateful to have had the chance to spend my summer with such an incredible team, learn from the Committee, and contribute to the very important work that the Fund and the Foundation do. I am thrilled that this will not be the end of my involvement, as I will be continuing with the Class Proceedings Fund team in a part-time role during the next year of law school.
