Fall 2022 FAQ for first-year BCL/JD students

A. Return to In-Person Teaching 

1. What are the guidelines surrounding wearing masks on campus?
2. How will courses be delivered in the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 semesters? Will some courses be recorded?

1. What are the guidelines surrounding wearing masks on campus?

Currently, the mask mandate has been lifted. Anyone can, of course, wear a mask if they wish. In addition, some professors, and fellow students, may request that you wear a mask in their presence.  It would be courteous to do so. 

2. How will courses be delivered in the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 semesters? Will some courses be recorded? 

After two years of remote teaching and hybrid teaching and lots of upheaval and constant change in the mode of our course delivery caused by the COVID pandemic, we are delighted to report that the University as a whole, and that includes the Faculty of Law, will be back delivering our programs in person in the Fall. We are really looking forward to seeing you all in person, in your classes, in the Atrium, in the Library, and having you interact with us and your peers in person.  Now this doesn’t mean that you won’t have any individual remote classes. One of the things we learned from teaching in the pandemic is that some aspects of on-line teaching can be very positive. So, for instance, we learned that it is easier to get guest lecturers, particularly those that don’t live in the Montreal, to come give a virtual class. It also eases the burden on professors who are out of town for a conference who used to have to cancel a class and make it up another time. Now they can give the occasional class remotely. Some profs (although likely not those in first year courses) may even adopt a flipped classroom model where they post pre-recorded lectures and then spend the remaining class time applying material and working in small groups on problems and discussion questions.  

We understand that we will be in an environment where students may still get COVID and will have to miss class. We encourage all instructors to record their classes and, as a result, many will be recorded but this is not something we can force individual instructors to do. If you have to miss a class for whatever reason you can get notes from another student, visit the instructor during their office hours to go over the material you missed or ask the instructor if another student in the class can record the class just for purposes of your taking notes. They are not obliged to say yes but they will accommodate in one form or another.  

B. Registration

1. When will class registration become available?
2. Is there a way to see which professors will be teaching which class/group in first year? Is the virtual schedule builder (VSB) up to date? The professors for the Contracts class are different on the VSB and on the course calendar: Gélinas in the Fall and Jérémy Boulanger-Bonnelly or Konstanze Von Zchutz in the winter vs on VSB Gélinas in the Fall and Ramanujam in the winter.
3. What courses do we have to register for?
4. Do we choose section 1,2, or 3 or simply French or English? 

1. When will class registration become available?

Registration for first-year students will begins on Tuesday, July 12th at 9:00am. An email will be sent out sometime during the first week of July will all the registration details including your pre-assigned sections for your required 1L courses so please stay tuned! 

2. Is there a way to see which professors will be teaching which class/group in first year? Is the virtual schedule builder (VSB) up to date? The professors for the Contracts class are different on the VSB and on the course calendar: Gélinas in the Fall and Jérémy Boulanger-Bonnelly or Konstanze Von Zchutz in the winter vs on VSB Gélinas in the Fall and Ramanujam in the winter. 

In the Fall, there are two sections of Contractual Obligations:  one in English with Professor Farahat and another (double cohort) in a bilingual section with Professor Gelinas. In the Winter, Professor Farahat continues with his section and Professor Gelinas’ section will be divided into two – one in French with Professor Boulanger-Bonnelly and another in English with Professor Von Schutz.  Professor Ramanujam is not teaching Contractual Obligations. 

We have not yet assigned students to the different sections of each course but that will be included in your course registration material. 

3. What courses do we have to register for? 

Your 1L courses are compulsory and may be taken only in the first year: 

• LAWG 100 Contractual Obligations - 6 Credits  

• LAWG 101 Ex-Contractual Obligations/Torts - 6 Credits  

• LAWG 102 Criminal Justice - 6 Credits  

• LAWG 103 Indigenous Legal Traditions - 3 Credits  

• LAWG 110 Integration Workshop - 3 Credits  

• PUB2 101 Constitutional Law - 6 Credits  

• PUB3 116 Foundations - 3 Credits 

Tous les cours de première année sont obligatoires et s'étendent sur toute l'année, à l'exception du cours sur les traditions juridiques autochtones, offert uniquement au trimestre d'automne et le cours Fondements du droit, offert uniquement au trimestre d'hiver. Les étudiants de première année ne sont autorisés à suivre que les cours obligatoires de première année. 

All this information will be provided in the registration email early July 

4. Do we choose section 1,2, or 3 or simply French or English? 

• All 1L students will be assigned to a specific Group, which will indicate the  sections that have been pre-assigned to you and that you must register for the fall and winter terms. 

• English sections for each first year course are typically sections 001 or 002. If you wish to take the course in English, you must register for the assigned section (you do not have a choice between English language sections).  However, you are free to take any of your first-year courses in French.  If you do, please register for the French section 003.   

• Based on previous years, English language sections tend to fill up quickly, so register early if language of instruction is important to you. If you are unable to register for the language section of your choice, please register for the other language section that has been assigned to you. There is enough space in courses for all incoming 1L’s; however, if the English section assigned to you is full, you must register for the French section. You may not register for a section that has not been assigned to you. 

• L’inscription sur Minerva ouvrira le 12 juillet à 9h. Comme tous les étudiants de première année s'enregistreront en même temps, il peut y avoir un certain retard sur le système. Connectez-vous sur Minerva avant 9h et ayez les informations de votre inscription et vos cours CRN en main. Si vous rencontrez des difficultés d'inscription, veuillez envoyer un courriel à SAO.law [at] mcgill.ca et indiquer votre identifiant McGill dans le courriel 

C. French language requirements

1. Will I be in a French section? Do we have guaranteed access?
2. I'd like to ease into French courses; which one should I take?
3. How can I improve my French while at McGill?

1. Is it possible that 1L students will have to take a required course in a language section that they have not requested? Since all 1Ls must take the same courses in first year, will we have guaranteed access to all of the required courses on registration day?

All first-year students will be registered in all first-year courses (just not necessarily the sections of those courses they prefer). Note that you cannot choose your English section – you will be assigned to one of the professors teaching the course in English.

En raison des contraintes d’espace, il n’est pas toujours possible d’accommoder les préférences linguistiques en matière de cours. Il est donc possible que vous aurez un cours ou deux en français.

2. I’d like to ease into French by taking one French language course each semester. Which 1L course best lends itself to learning in French? What is it like for an anglophone taking a French course?

We cannot tell you which course would be best to take in your second language. It is a personal choice. While students can be anxious about trying a course in French, after they have taken one, they realize that it was not that difficult or stressful, and look back on the experience positively.

Il est important de savoir que la langue d’instruction n’affecte pas la langue des lectures (ni le fond du cours). Vous aurez à faire des lectures en anglais dans un cours en français et des lectures en français dans un cours en anglais.

If you want to take a course in French in which there will be more readings in English, we suggest that you take one of the public law courses, such as Constitutional Law. Those courses have more Supreme Court judgments in the materials, and all Supreme Court judgments are published bilingually. On the other hand, some students prefer to take a private law course in French where there are more French-language primary sources because the language of instruction and the source materials are in the same language.

Notre politique de bilinguisme passif vous permet d’intervenir en classe, de soumettre vos travaux écrits, de rédiger vos examens et de donner vos présentations orales dans la langue officielle de votre choix, quelle que soit la langue dans laquelle le cours est dispensé.

3. How can I improve my French while at McGill (courses, other opportunities)? Are there courses that focus on French in a legal context specifically?

There are a number of ways to improve your French while at McGill, such as through the French Language Centre. The Centre offers both student activities and courses.

After the first year, students may additionally take courses through the French Language Centre and earn credits that will count toward the 105 creditsneeded for the BCL/JD. Law students can take up to 6 non-law credits, and this can include a French language course.

Ceux et celles qui souhaitent étudier le français à McGill doivent d'abord passer un test de d’évaluation pour déterminer leur niveau.

All required Law courses have one section in French. The Faculty also offers a number of upper-year courses in French each year.

Lastly, students planning on writing l’École du Barreau du Québec exam should take advantage of our French course offerings.

D. Methods of Evaluation in Law School 

1. Do you grade on a bell curve?
2. How many evaluated exams and assignments should we expect per class?
3. Are cold calls as scary as other law students suggest? 
4. How strict are teachers when grading? Is there any way to know what they're looking for in an exam? 
5. Is Integration week evaluated? 
6. Will students be given a course outline for every class? 
7. Are most of the exams open-book take-homes? Or are the examinations rather axed on memorization? 

1. Do you grade on a bell curve? 

No we do not grade on a bell curve.  We do, however, monitor the range of averages in the classes and we require the averages in various sections of the same course to be in the same range to ensure that there is equity among sections. 

2. How many evaluated exams and assignments should we expect per class? 

It really depends on the individual instructor. In some courses, you will only have a midterm in December and a final in April.  In others, there will be other assignments. In some classes, there will be more assignments than in others.  This will all be clearly indicated in your course outlines.

Of course, in Integration Workshop, which is a legal research and writing course, you will have only assignments. Note that instructors understand the magnitude of beginning first year, and as such, are not going to be overloading you with assignments that are unmanageable. 

3. Are cold calls as scary as other law students suggest? 

The Integration Workshop course is evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis and Integration Week is an integral and compulsory part of the Integration Workshop course. There will be a short assessment at the end of Integration Week.   

4. How strict are teachers when grading? Is there any way to know what they're looking for in an exam? 

In general, professors have high standards for the performance of their students but they mark fairly, reasonably and relatively to the others in the class.  They are looking for you to be able to use the material you learned in the course in an analytical way and in a way that you can apply it (so not just information or memorization).  

The reality is that you are all A students now and you won’t all get straight As in law school.  It is very upsetting to many law students when they get their first B!  But a B grade is not a bad grade and most of our graduates who have B averages get great jobs. 

5. Is Integration week evaluated? 

The Integration Workshop course is evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis and Integration Week is an integral and compulsory part of the Integration Workshop course. There will be a short assessment at the end of Integration Week. 

6. Will students be given a course outline for every class? 

Yes. The course outline will contain important information about the course including the method of evaluation. 

7. Are most of the exams open-book take-homes? Or are the examinations rather axed on memorization? 

Regardless of whether an exam is open or closed book, memorization is not prioritized in law school. It is the application and analysis of material that is important.  As a result, most exams are open book. 

E. Preparing for 1L / Law School 

1. Does the law school provide any support for students who feel anxious especially starting this new and difficult program?
2. Are there any resources we can look into that help law students with all the readings and cases?
3. How is the adjustment for CEGEP students? 
4. When incoming 1L students are paired with an upper year student advisor, are those pairings tailored to any extent? Or is it largely just based on availabilities? 
5. What are habits of the most successful alumni, both in and out of school? 
6. Is there any support for 1L students? i.e. mentors, writing center, note-taking and exam prep 

1. Does the law school provide any support for students who feel anxious especially starting this new and difficult program? 

Yes of course – we have a student advisor in the SAO especially geared to 1Ls, an Assistant Dean for Black and Indigenous Flourishing and a wellness advisor. 

Along with the individuals mentioned, the SAO puts together different support programs throughout the academic year to help support you as you navigate this new program, including Peer Tutors (info to come). Your professors are also great resources when you feel you might need more support in the classroom. In addition, your Law Student Association, sets up a Peer Mentoring program every year, and there is much space for informal support through upper years and others in your cohort. 

2. Are there any resources we can look into that help law students with all the readings and cases? 

There is not really anything off the shelf of that sort although this is something that will be discussed in your Integration Workshop course.  Our advice is to not let things build.  It won’t be possible to read everything in every course before every class. Make sure you read as much of the material assigned before class and at least skim the rest so that you know what is being discussed in that class (and so that you can benefit from the lecture).  And that at the end of every section in the course, you sit down and pull together the cases, your class notes and other material and make sure you understand the section and go see your prof at that stage if you have any questions. Give yourself time to learn how to “law school”. Others are in the same boat and you will figure out what works best for you. Study groups are a great way to navigate that together. 

3. How is the adjustment for CEGEP students? 

In the beginning the learning and adjustment curve can be a bit steeper, but Cegep students quickly adjust and do just as well academically as others. Some even win the gold medals!!  Remember, if we accepted you directly from Cegep, you deserve to be here and we know you can handle this. 

4.When incoming 1L students are paired with an upper year student advisor, are those pairings tailored to any extent? Or is it largely just based on availabilities? 

Typically, the LSA will open a Google Form for interested students around early August of each year. We ask about their academic backgrounds, areas of interest in law, hobbies, personal identity, and whether they have a preference for how these items will be ranked come selection time.

For instance, a mature student might ask to be paired with another mature student; or a Jewish student might ask for a Jewish mentor. We do our best to accommodate these requests come selection time. If a student has not indicated a preference, we typically look at what they have in common with available mentors or mentees (e.g., maybe they both indicated that they enjoy hiking on the weekends) and pair them up that way. Students are usually informed of their peer mentor or mentee's identity around the second week of September and can reach out to organize meetings or hangouts. 

5. What are habits of the most successful alumni, both in and out of school? 

Immersing yourself in all law school has to offer and understanding where your own limits are. Law school is a personal experience that is bolstered by the people around you and the things you spend time doing. There is no one right way to be a successful alumni, there truly is a way for every student! 

6. Is there any support for 1L students? i.e. mentors, writing center, note-taking and exam prep?

There are a number of places a 1L can go for support. First, there is the upper year student who will be leading your small group in the Integration Workshop course. Then there are GAs (group assistants) in most first year courses. We also have peer tutors (upper year students), the first year student advisor in the SAO and we do offer sessions on exam prep. 

F. Orientation & Frosh 

1. Will 1L classes start Monday Aug 29 or is that orientation? If orientation, when will classes start?

1. Will 1L classes start Monday Aug 29 or is that orientation? If orientation, when will classes start? 

Your law school experience will begin on Monday August 29th and the first day will be a day of Orientation. Tuesday to Friday will be Integration Week where you will have classes (both in plenary and in small group) that orient you to a legal education on topics such as the Civil and Common Law, Private Law, Critical Race Theory etc.  You regular classes (Contractual Obligations, Constitutional Law etc) will start the Tuesday after Labour Day.  But Integration Week is compulsory and part of the Integration Workshop course and is an important base for your regular law classes. 

Frosh is tentatively being planned from August 31 to September 5. We will be releasing details on the theme and registration within the next month or so, but the tentative roster of events includes such events as a karaoke night, drunken debates, a scavenger hunt across Montreal, a pub crawl, a formal night, and a day at Beach Club. 

G. Integrating into the McGill Community 

1. Can we access the library and gym before term begins?
2. How does it work if we want to join one of the LSA clubs?
3. I don’t use social media. Is there an alternative place to get information about student life? Also, is ‘vital’ information ever posted just on Facebook, etc.?
4. How do you get involved in student life? Who should we go see? 

1. Can we access the library and gym before term begins? 

As long as you have your ID setup, gym access is possible. Libraries are currently open to all.

2. How does it work if we want to join one of the LSA clubs? 

We have tons of great clubs and journals at the Faculty that students can participate in. Each fall, we organize a Clubs Day at the Faculty where clubs set up booths, take down contact information from students who are interested in joining, and explain what their clubs do. This year, we will have a “night of 1000 clubs”, where student will get to exchange in a more informal setting with club execs and get a better feel of the clubs culture. Even if you miss Clubs Day, don't worry - clubs take on new members throughout the year, and you can attend club events even if you're not a member of that club's executive! 

Il y aura plusieurs opportunitées au courant de l’été pour rejoindre des comitées, obtenir une position d’executif, etc. N’ayez pas peur de déposer votre candidature, vous faites maintenant parti de la faculté au même titre que les 2L,3L et 4L. Si vous avez des questions au niveau du processus, veuillez contacter le VP Club.

3. I don’t use social media. Is there an alternative place to get information about student life? Also, is ‘vital’ information ever posted just on Facebook, etc.? 

A Facebook account can be helpful, since it's the main platform of communication for most of the clubs at the faculty. Especially in the case of firm events and panels, there's usually Facebook events that will help you keep track and exchange with other students. That being said, the LSA sends out "the Brief" via email which contains most of the important information, so you can still be kept up to date. The CDO also sends out its newsletter via email. 

4. How do you get involved in student life? Who should we go see?

Monitor the LSA’s platform. Nous organisons beaucoup d’évènements, mais une bonne portion est gérée directement par les Clubs. There’s a lot of drop-in options, with no commitment attached also. We do a lot of promotional work for the events, so keep an eye out! 

H. Degree Planning 

1. Should students plan to meet with an advisor to discuss courses, minors and majors?
2. Is taking a minor or major recommended for students who have specific legal interests, or should students who are unsure about their future also consider taking a major or minor?
3. La Faculté permet ses étudiant.e.s d’entreprendre un programme de mineure de 18 crédits ou 24 crédits. Est-il possible de convertir une mineure en majeure en obtenant des crédits supplémentaires grâce à des cours d'été ou en restant plus longtemps à la faculté pour suivre davantage de cours?
4. How many courses per semester is recommended? Do people generally do 5 classes per semester?
5. How long are the classes, and how many classes should we take in 1L? 
6. When is the integration workshop? 
7. Are there any electives that we need to take? 
8. How does it work to get courses credited from another Quebec's university? (I did law courses at UQAM that have the same title and description as courses in the BCL/JD program, that I would like to get credited) 
9. Do you recommend completing the degree in 3, 3.5 or 4 years? What are the advantages and disadvantages in each case? 
10. I am very interested in studying abroad and have already taken a look at the partner schools. Beyond the GPA requirements, is it hard to be selected/participate in these exchanges?

1. Should students plan to meet with an advisor to discuss courses, minors and majors? 

Yes our Advisors are always available to discuss about courses or the opportunities that are offered during your Law program such as Minors, Majors, Exchanges but that is not something you should be concerned with at this stage during your first term. 

2. Is taking a minor or major recommended for students who have specific legal interests, or should students who are unsure about their future also consider taking a major or minor? 

There are various reasons for wanting to take a minor such as to explore other areas of interest or to broaden your skills. It’s a good opportunity to complement your Law degree.  Keep in mind that a minor is a program outside of the law faculty (ex. faculty of arts, science or management). If you have an interest in philosophy or political science, you can take a minor in that – it doesn’t have to be related to a legal interest or a legal career.

3. La Faculté permet ses étudiant.e.s d’entreprendre un programme de mineure de 18 crédits ou 24 crédits. Est-il possible de convertir une mineure en majeure en obtenant des crédits supplémentaires grâce à des cours d'été ou en restant plus longtemps à la faculté pour suivre davantage de cours ? 

Les mineurs et les majeurs sont distincte étant donné que les majeures (Négociation commerciale et Résolution des Différends; ou Droits de la Personne et Développement International) sont gérées au sein de la Faculté et les mineures (offerts par la Faculté des arts, la Faculté des sciences, ou la Faculté de gestion Desautels de McGill) sont gérées au sein de la faculté avec laquelle vous en complétez une. Les deux programmes comportent deux exigences distinctes et il serait beaucoup plus simple de choisir l'une ou l'autre option dès le départ. 

4. How many courses per semester is recommended? Do people generally do 5 classes per semester? 

We go by credits rather than by classes because not all courses are 3 credits.  Some are 4 (JICP, Tax, Bs Ass) some are 1 (Advocacy or Focus Week). The program is 105 credits which, if you follow a regular 15 credit per term load, would take 3.5 year. Some student take summer courses or take a higher load (up to 18 credits) and accelerate their program to graduate in 3 years. 

5. How long are the classes, and how many classes should we take in 1L? 

You need to take all compulsory classes in first year (each term there are 5 courses plus Integration Workshop). The number of hours of the class per week generally relates to the credit weight.  For example, Indigenous Legal Traditions is a 3 credit course and it meets for 3 hours per week. The only exception is Integration Workshop which is a 3 credit course but its meeting times are different given the nature of the course. 

6. When is the integration workshop? 

Integration Workshop is a course that runs from the very first week of term until mid-term in the Winter semester.  There is a week devoted to Integration Workshop at the start of each term (where you do not follow your regular classes).  It then continues with plenary sessions as well with small group sessions led by an upper year student.

7. Are there any electives that we need to take? 

Not in your first year! You may start taking elective classes starting in your 2nd year. 

8. How does it work to get courses credited from another Quebec's university? (I did law courses at UQAM that have the same title and description as courses in the BCL/JD program, that I would like to get credited) 

Seuls les « Étudiants diplômés en droit » et les « Étudiants en transfert » peuvent recevoir des crédits pour études universitaires antérieures en droit. Bien que les étudiants inscrits dans le programme BCL/JD puissent prendre jusqu'à six crédits hors droit au cours du programme, ces crédits ne peuvent provenir d’études universitaires antérieures. 

9. Do you recommend completing the degree in 3, 3.5 or 4 years? What are the advantages and disadvantages in each case? 

Everyone’s journey is different. We have students doing all three of these options and there is no right or wrong answer. The usual pace would have you finishing in 3.5 years. However, you may have valid reasons to want to finish earlier in which case you should do some planning as you will have to do some summer courses or term essays in the summer.  There may also be no rush (you are a cegep student and don’t mind spending more time in school and may want to do a minor) in which case you can spread out your degree over 4 terms.  But note, you must take a minimum of 12 credits per term to maintain full-time status and you may only study part-time if you have been granted permission to do so. 

10. I am very interested in studying abroad and have already taken a look at the partner schools. Beyond the GPA requirements, is it hard to be selected/participate in these exchanges? 

Poursuivre ses études à l’étranger dans le cadre d’un programme d’échange est une option très populaire pour nos étudiants en droit, en particulier au cours de leur dernier trimestre. Nous avons plus de 35 universités partenaires en droit, où nous avons un nombre garanti de places d'échange pour nos étudiants allant de Rio (Brésil), Tel Aviv (Israël) à Melbourne (Australie). One of our requirements to go one exchange is a minimum of 2.70 CGPA, but your letter of intent which explains your academic, career and/or personal reasons for wanting to undertake an Exchange at the host institution of your choice is also a crucial aspect of your application in order to be selected. Students may choose up to 4 Universities as part of their Exchange application so generally students do end up being selected to one of their 4 choices if space permits. An Exchange information session will be given during your 2nd year since you can only go on Exchange as of your 3rd or 4th year.

I. Financing Your Degree 

1. When should we pay our tuition and how?

1. When should we pay our tuition and how? 

You will receive an email from McGill Student Accounts when your “e-bill” is ready to be paid. (https://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/) 

J. Career and Development Office

1. Should students who plan to take the QC bar aim to take as many French courses as English ones? 
2. Do 1Ls have access to OCIs? When do these usually take place? Do firms like NYC's Sullivan & Cromwell interview at McGill? 
3. Would the length of program impact the timeline of applying for summer internships or searching for a job in any ways?
4. What are habits of the most successful alumni, both in and out of school?

1. Should students who plan to take the QC bar aim to take as many French courses as English ones? 

It depends on the individual. While it is not mandatory to take a certain number of courses in French, if you are not yet perfectly bilingual, it can help you immerse yourself in French within a legal context. It can also give you an indication of how comfortable you feel in a French learning environment. Bar School courses are in French, even though you have the option to answer questions in English.

2. Do 1Ls have access to OCIs? When do these usually take place? Do firms like NYC's Sullivan & Cromwell interview at McGill? 

The term OCIs (On-Campus Interviews) specifically refer to 2L organized recruitments for the United States, Toronto, Ottawa, Vacouver/Calgary for students in their second year (if graduating in 3 years) and students in their third year (if graduating in 3.5 or 4 years). With that said, there are many other recruitment processes outside of OCIs, including 1L recruitments and IP recruitments which are open to first year students. It is important to note that to be eligible for a 1L recruitment a student needs to be in either their first year (if graduating in 3 years) or second year (if graduating in 3.5 or 4 years).  

Regarding the US 2L Recruitment, large firms do participate. Some firms participate more frequently than others. This year, White & Case, Goodwin, Kirkland & Ellis, and Morrison & Foerster, among others, are participating.  

3. Would the length of program impact the timeline of applying for summer internships or searching for a job in any ways? 

It does.  Different timelines do influence your eligibility to participate in organized recruitment processes. This is because the jobs you secure during these processes typically turn into your post-graduation job (articling) the following year. For this reason, it is important that you have a good understanding of when you can graduate. There are exceptions to this. For example, securing a summer job through an independent job search as this job does not have the expectation that you will also return the following year to article. Also, for Course aux Stage (Montreal Recruitment) eligibility is dependent on the number of credits completed (typically can apply as of second year).  

4. What are habits of the most successful alumni, both in and out of school? 

It is hard to say which are the specific habits of the most successful alumni and students as what works for one person may not work for another. Generally speaking, students who are self-aware and have taken the time to reflect on what motivates them and what is important to them career-wise tend to have an easier time with interviews and networking.  

K. LWAs 

1. What is the best way to take advantage of the LWAs’ services as a 1L? 
2. Are LWA’s available to 1Ls before we start in the Fall? 

1. What is the best way to take advantage of the LWAs’ services as a 1L? 

We offer workshops on mental health and wellness topics throughout the year that you can sign up for. We also offer one on one consultations, you can make an appointment with us through the following web link (that I will place in the chat): https://www.mcgill.ca/wellness-hub/law-students-group-programming. You can also get in touch by emailing us if you have questions.  To make an appointment for a one on one consultation you do not need to be in distress or have specific concerns, you can also make an appointment if you would just like to talk to us, know more about resources on and off campus or for any questions on wellness and health topics.   

2. Are LWA’s available to 1Ls before we start in the Fall? 

Newly registered students are eligible for LWA and student wellness hub services as of August 15 2022.  

L. Black & Indigenous Flourishing 

1. What is the Assistant Dean’s role in relation to a 1L student? 

1. What is the Assistant Dean’s role in relation to a 1L student? 

Mon mandat englobe beaucoup de choses, mais je vais répondre spécifiquement à ce que mon rôle est par rapport aux étudiants en première année de droit. En tant que doyen adjoint, mon rôle auprès des étudiants de première année est de les soutenir et de les encourager. Il s'agit de veiller à ce que les besoins des étudiants en droit noirs et autochtones soient entendus, d'aider à comprendre les politiques de l'école et de clarifier les processus. 

I work as a resource person alongside student groups and associations, such as BLSAM and ILADA. I am available for questions pertaining to the faculty and how it works. You can consider me as a resource guide and a helping hand through your journey at McGill Law as well as a facilitator. I will do my best to answer your questions, provide information and point you in the right direction or just to talk. I serve as a resource for those encountering equity and inclusivity issues. I act as an intermediary and liaison between students, staff, student associations, EDI Initiatives, initiatives for Black and Indigenous students internally and externally.  

I would like to remind you that if you are a Black or Indigenous law student, I am here if you need to talk about anything related to discrimination, racism, racial gaslighting, racial fatigue, microaggressions and passive aggressiveness that you may have experienced, or may be experiencing 

Even if you are not a Black or Indigenous law student feel free to share. Don't be shy to reach out if you have questions related to culture, spirituality or gendered issues, multicultural relationships, and cross-cultural dynamics. 

Writing circles are offered biweekly during the evenings for students to creatively express themselves, each is a one-hour and fifteen minutes session, where you can expect to enter a facilitated space where you are invited to write with the support of prompts, techniques and strategies to dive deeper into your ideas, your power and your voice. Included are experiential activities and mindfulness techniques which students say helps ground themselves and find their core while doing legal work 

There are also biweekly therapeutic support groups for Black and Indigenous students who need support 

Students can also see me by scheduling an appointment. I am always available for you, feel free to reach out anytime.