If you are a prospective or admitted student and want to know what life as a Bora Laskin student is like, please do not hesitate to connect with our Student Ambassadors. They bring a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds and most importantly, want to share their experiences with you!
Ambassadors 2026-27
Yvonne Oni
Yvonne Oni is a second year law student at Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Queen’s University in 2016. Before beginning law school, Yvonne worked in finance related roles, including insurance sales and operations, and later in regulatory compliance at a provincial Crown agency, where she gained experience working with legislative and regulatory frameworks.Yvonne’s legal interests include constitutional law and human rights law. She appreciates Bora Laskin’s close knit and supportive environment, particularly its small class sizes, approachable faculty, and strong sense of community among students and staff. Outside of her studies, Yvonne enjoys engaging in community initiatives, baking, and spending quality time with her husband.
Yvonne can be reached at yooni@lakeheadu.ca
Louis Chan
Louis is a first-year law student with a background in Criminology, focusing on environmental
impacts and a strong interest in advancing Indigenous initiatives. His legal interests include Environmental Law and its intersection with Indigenous Law, as well as Animal Justice.
Outside of class, Louis enjoys baking, cooking, and reading (for pleasure). He is actively involved in club activities and regularly supports events hosted by student organizations across the school.
Louis can be reached at lchan12@lakeheadu.ca
Paige Simms
Paige has just completed her 1L year at Bora Laskin. She is originally from Connecticut, but moved to Toronto 6 years ago. She has an undergraduate degree in History and Philosophy from the University of Toronto and a Master's in Intellectual History from the University of Edinburgh. Before attending Bora Laskin, Paige worked authenticating art and artifacts for an auction house. She is interested in Intellectual Property law. Paige loves to read and is currently a member of 2 book clubs. She is also an avid user of Goodreads and enjoys writing reviews of the books she reads. Her favourite thing about Bora Laskin is its sense of community. Coming to Thunder Bay from another province or country can be daunting, but the students and city welcome you with open arms!
Paige can be reached at: epsimms1@lakeheadu.ca.
Nicholas Binette
Nicholas Binette is a first-year (1L) JD candidate at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law and is originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He brings a background in public service, leadership, and legal studies to law school. Nicholas serves as a MasterCorporal in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves as a Human Resources Administrator with the Office of the Judge Advocate General and Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. He holds a BA (Honours) in Law and Legal Studies, and is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University.
Alongside his studies, Nicholas has been active in teaching, mentoring, advocacy, and community service. He has worked as a teaching assistant, participated in mooting, volunteered as a moot judge for undergraduate students, and founded the Lakehead Tax Centre, which provides free tax filing support to students and community members. His interests include legal research and writing, access to justice, fitness, sports, and service-driven leadership. What Nicholas values most about being a student at BLFL is the school’s close-knit community and the opportunity to connect legal education with practical service and meaningful community impact.
Nicholas can be reached at: nbinette@lakeheadu.ca
Cory Martins
Cory Martins is a first year law student at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. Cory is originally from Toronto. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where he pursued a double major in Criminology and Women and Gender Studies. Following graduation, he spent several years working in senior leadership roles in the retail sector with companies such as Alo and Apple, gaining valuable experience in team management and client relations.
Cory’s favourite part of being a student at Bora Laskin is the strong sense of community among students and the opportunity to build meaningful connections. Studying in Northern Ontario has also allowed him to engage more directly with professors and members of the local legal community. He has particularly enjoyed the Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC), which offers hands-on exposure to different areas of law and helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through his first year, Cory has developed an interest in contracts and property law, though he remains open and excited to explore a variety of practice areas.
Cory can be reached at cjmarti1@lakeheadu.ca
Kunal Pandya
Kunal Pandya is a second-year JD candidate at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. Originally from India and now based in Ontario, he brings an academic background in commerce and accounting, including a Master of Commerce, and is a licensed paralegal in Ontario. Before law school, Kunal gained legal experience and continues to build practical skills while staying actively involved in the school community through student initiatives, volunteer work, and student governance.
As a student at Bora Laskin, Kunal values the school’s strong emphasis on experiential learning. Through clinical placements at the Lakehead University Community Legal Services clinic, the Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC), and advocacy opportunities,he has developed practical legal skills while working closely with faculty and peers. He
also appreciates the close-knit community within the law school, where faculty and fellow students make genuine efforts to support each other’s growth and success. This collaborative environment allows him to contribute meaningfully while continuing to grow as a future lawyer. Outside of academics, Kunal enjoys cooking, hiking, and singing.
Kunal can be reached at: khpandya@lakeheadu.ca
Ryan Paul
Ryan is entering his third year of studies at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law after previously studying business and education. Originally from Mississauga, Ryan lived in Kitchener, Ontario and Kelowna before moving to Thunder Bay for law school. Prior to beginning legal studies, Ryan worked in as a recruiter in the staffing industry and in student support roles in post-secondary education. Ryan values BLFL’s tight-knit community, small class sizes, and highly supportive and welcoming student body. Ryan appreciates that the school’s small class size creates ample opportunities for students to pursue academic and personal interests and to quickly build relationships with peers, staff, and faculty.
Ryan enjoyed participating in basketball and football intramurals in his first year and was involved in interest-based clubs and the Lakehead Law Journal. In the summer following his 1L year, he worked as a Student Caseworker at Lakehead University Community Legal Services and continued the role throughout 2L. Ryan additionally worked part-time as a Constitutional Law Course Tutor and as a Research Assistant throughout 2L. Ryan looks forward to spending his upcoming summer and completing his Practice Placement at a local firm inThunder Bay.. Outside of law school, he enjoys the city's food scene, access to beautiful nature, and year-round outdoor activities.
Ryan welcomes prospective students with questions about the BLFL experience to email him at Rpaul4@lakeheadu.ca.
Robb Bogler
Robb Bogler is a first-year student at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. He is from Grand Valley, a small town outside Waterloo, Ontario. Before starting law school, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo, earning a degree in Legal Studies and Philosophy. His academic background gave him a strong interest in legal ideas, critical thinking, and clear writing. He also brings prior work experience that helped him build strong communication skills, professionalism, and confidence working with a wide range of people.Robb is especially interested in family law, civil litigation, constitutional law, and human rights, along with the broader social and human questions that often sit behind legal problems. His background in philosophy continues to shape the way he thinks about law, particularly the relationship between legal rules, fairness, and everyday life. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, writing, good conversation, and anything involving cats.
What Robb likes most about being a student at Bora Laskin is the sense of community. He appreciates being part of a law school where professors, staff, and students know one another, and where people are approachable and supportive. He has enjoyed becoming involved in student life and values the welcoming, close-knit community at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. Robb welcomes questions and can be reached at rsbogle1@lakeheadu.ca.
Lauren Perron
Lauren is a 1L student from Dundas, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate degrees at McMaster University, earning an Honours Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. Prior to attending Bora Laskin, she worked in a small law firm as both an Administrative Assistant and Legal Assistant. In the summer of 2026, she will work as a Caseworker at the school’s community legal clinic. She is most interested in pursuing a career in environmental, medical malpractice, or family law. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys working out, playing sports, painting, and travelling. Her favourite aspects of Bora Laskin are the small class sizes, the hands-on learning through the IPC program, and the many opportunities to get involved. She especially values the strong sense of community, where students are friendly, supportive, and willing to help one another succeed. Prospective students are welcome to reach out to Lauren at Lgperro1@lakeheadu.ca to learn more about her experiences and the school.
Holly Horvath
Holly Horvath is a second-year (2L) student at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. Prior to attending law school, Holly received a Bachelor of Arts with a Specialization in Law and Justice with Honours from Laurentian University. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, Holly is passionate about expanding legal opportunities in Northern Ontario and improving access to justice for individuals in rural communities. Holly’s areas of interest include criminal law, family law, indigenous law, and child protection.
Holly is heavily involved with Lakehead University Community Legal Services, where she has worked during the summer following her first year, throughout her second year, and continuing into her third-year summer and academic term. In addition to her clinical work, Holly is the Co-President of the Women in Law club, Director of 2L Issues with the Lakehead University Law Students’Society (“LSS”), a Student Mentor, and a Student Ambassador. Outside of her studies, Holly is an avid hiker and loves to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities that Thunder Bay has to offer. She also enjoys wandering through Thunder Bay’s local artisan shops and thrifting for hidden gems. Holly can be reached at hmhorvat@lakeheadu.ca.
Sanjna Farma
Sanjna will be entering her third year of law school this upcoming fall. She is from Brampton, Ontario. Sanjna attended the University of Guelph for her undergraduate degree. She majored in Biological Science and minored in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Sanjna is passionate about social justice which was her main motivation for attending law school. She plans on carrying this interest with her and attempting to create change through practicing family law after she graduates from law school. She is also interested in other areas of law such as real estate law, entertainment law, sports law, and criminal law. Sanjna loves the community that Bora Laskin Faculty of Law offers. The small class sizes allow students to form lifelong friendships and make it easy for students to seek individualized feedback from their professors, which plays a major role in their success at school! This is her favourite part of attending Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. In her free time, she loves to make music and play sports. Her favourite sport is volleyball and she played in the intramural league in her first year of law school. She loves to chat and is always looking to meet new people! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her at ssfarma@lakeheadu.ca if you have any questions or would like to connect!
Leah Van Ginkel
Leah Van Ginkel is a first-year student at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law from Richmond Hill, Ontario. Leah completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa, where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology. Throughout her studies, she developed an interest in how legal systems interact with social issues and impact individuals and communities.
Outside of school, Leah enjoys spending her time baking and travelling when she can. She enjoys creating and testing new recipes, as well as exploring different places with friends and family whenever she has the chance. Travelling allows Leah to experience new cultures and broaden her perspectives, and she is always open to meeting new people and learning from those around her.
Leah was drawn to BLFL for its close-knit environment and the opportunity to engage in First Nations-focused outdoor experiences, while developing a deeper connection to the land and community. She appreciates the program’s emphasis on experiential learning and the ability to build meaningful relationships with classmates and professors in a small class setting.
Leah can be reached at: Lmvangi1@lakeheadu.ca
Lovleen Goraya
Lovleen is entering her third year at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law this fall. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, she completed her undergraduate studies at York University, where she majored in Political Science and earned a Professional Certificate in Public Administration and Law. She also completed the Paralegal Education Program at Humber College. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked as a law clerk at a personal injury firm in Toronto, where she gained valuable legal experience that inspired her to pursue a career in law.
At Bora Laskin, Lovleen serves as Co-President of the Asian Law Students’ Association, where she has helped foster community and representation in Northern Ontario, including co-organizing the faculty’s first Diwali celebration. She is also involved in mooting and clinic work, further developing her advocacy and client-focused skills. Through Bora Laskin’s Integrated Practice Curriculum, she has gained hands on experience in litigation and advocacy, which has strengthened her interest in pursuing a career in family or criminal law.
Lovleen values the close knit and supportive community at Bora Laskin and is grateful for the meaningful connections she has built with faculty and peers. As a student ambassador, she is passionate about connecting with prospective students and sharing her experiences. Lovleen can be reached at: lgoraya@lakeheadu.ca
Maureen Wainwright
Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Education in Educational Counselling from the University of Ottawa.She also completed a Social Service Worker Diploma at Confederation College and a Paralegal Graduate Certificate at Durham College. Originally from North Bay, she spent many years working in education as a teacher, counsellor, university course instructor, and administrator in northern British Columbia, Ottawa, and northern Ontario.
Her interests in the law include Indigenous/Aboriginal law, poverty law, social justice, youth, family, and criminal law. Over the past year, she participated in the Debwewin summer law student program, worked as a criminal law course tutor, served as the LSS VP of Academics and treasurer of the Indigenous Law Students Association, and competed in the Kawaskimhon Moot. She will be working with Legal Aid Ontario in Kingston this summer. An avid traveller and outdoor sports enthusiast, Maureen also volunteers at music and film festivals and is dedicated to supporting marginalized youth.
Maureen can be reached at mlwainwr@lakeheadu.ca.
The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre in Etobicoke has been one of the places where Jigme has been able to reconnect with her cultural heritage and engage in advocacy.
A premature baby who weighed just one pound and 10 ounces, Seth was given a less than a 1% chance of survival. "Growing up, I faced many challenges, including ADHD and severe hearing impairment," says the Toronto native and first-year student at Lakehead's Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay. "These obstacles led others to doubt my ability to succeed, but I've always been determined to prove the naysayers wrong."
"I was diagnosed with hearing loss when I was 13 and have used hearing aids ever since," Rylind says. The second-year history and political science student explains that "the Orillia campus being about an hour from my home in Huntsville has been beneficial for creating connections with friends and profs and the small class sizes are great."
