Lexie Cooper

Tell us about yourself.

I recently completed my Honours BA in Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University, where I did my seminar studies in citizenship revocation and Canadian political parties. During undergrad, I had the privilege of working at several community charities. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of advocacy and have enhanced my passion for helping others. Following the province wide shut down due to COVID-19, I was looking for a way to make my socially distant summer meaningful. I participated in the Community Leadership Accelerator Program at UJA. As part of the program, I was tasked with creating a Giveback Project that gave back to the Jewish community in some way. Together with a partner, I helped to raise over $5,000 in one week for Chai Lifeline Canada. All donations were used to create Arts and Crafts bags for teenagers with serious medical illness and who are unable to leave their home due to COVID-19.

What area of law are you interested in?

As of right now, I am most interested in family law, wills and estates as well as dispute resolution, however that may change come law school when I explore different fields.

Why did you choose Ryerson Law?

After conducting my own research, several factors led me to pick Ryerson Law over other law schools.

Technology is evolving at unprecedented rates. It is evident in science, medicine, and we’re seeing it in law too. Law firms and tech companies are creating ways to simplify the legal process through technology, in order to make legal services quicker, cheaper, and thus more accessible. I figured if Ryerson is going to equip me with the technological and entrepreneurial skills to utilize technologies to enhance my career, then why would I pass that up? It is often stated that, “law school teaches you the law, but it doesn’t teach you how to be a lawyer”. I believe that because of Ryerson Law’s focus on experiential learning and the fact that the program was designed with input from legal practitioners, that I’ll acquire skills that I wouldn’t have acquired at a more traditional law school.

I also realized upon further research that Canada has an articling shortage. With Ryerson’s professional placement, hopefully more positions will be available to us and we can benefit from this alternative design to the traditional articling method.

I recognize that there is some skepticism about a new law program but in the end, we are all learning the same law and everything has a “first”. What better way to truly be a leader in this industry than to join the inaugural class of Ryerson Law and set the school on a path that will shape generations of new lawyers?

What do you hope to accomplish with your J.D.?

I hope to use the skills I learn at Ryerson Law to make the legal system more accessible. While I recognize that there are a plethora of lawyers in Ontario, many citizens still go without proper representation due to a variety of factors. Therefore, through whatever type of law I choose to practice, I hope to ensure proper representation for those who desire it.

As a part of the inaugural cohort of Ryerson Law, what are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to building the foundation of the school. This would include, but not limited to, establishing clubs, societies and other extra-curriculars, that will form the basis of the law school for generations to come.