Humber’s Legal Association committee says it provides space for open-minded debates

President of Humber’s Legal Association Maria Rausch, 22, says conversations around accessing social justice should happen more often. 

“This is a very important topic we should all be discussing and working towards as many countries are going through an economic crisis. A lot of people don’t have the funds to go to a lawyer, and we as paralegals become an easier way to access justice. We need more people involved in law to help build a change for the future generation. Humber students have that spirit, and are very inspiring,” she says. 

Rausch is currently in her final year of a bachelor of paralegal studies, and has been president of Humber’s legal association since spring 2023.

The legal association was originally founded by Laura Delle Donne in spring 2021, as an initiative to bring paralegal students closer in spite of COVID-19. 

Rausch says when she first started her program all classes were online and didn’t get a chance to meet fellow classmates.

“I started my program in September 2021 and didn’t have in-person interactions, having the legal association was crucial for me to understand the Canadian legal system as an international student, and build a community,” she says. 

Rausch is originally from Brazil and first collaborated in the association as a general member. 

 Rausch says she has been able to hone some skills in her position as president. 

“It teaches you a lot of lessons in event planning, budgeting, management and leadership,” she says.  

The legal association hosts diverse events from intellectual law property workshops to an array of guest speaker series from all legal backgrounds. The association also provides alumni mixers, where Humber graduates come to speak with current students and give them advice. 

Rausch says events such as the alumni mixers helped her connect to other students and learn about job opportunities. 

“I now work in the previous office of the last president of the legal association, and I started as a member. This illustrates the importance of networking,” she says. 

Rausch is also the captain of Humber’s moot team, and has participated in eight moots so far in her undergraduate program. 

Moots are mock trials that simulate the experience of being inside the Supreme Court of Canada. In these trials, they argue questions concerning law and policy while studying a case.

Last Tuesday, the association had their first annual meeting, in which they discussed this semester’s event programming. Upcoming events include an introductory mooting pilot on Oct. 8, and collaborations with the Princeton Review and the Law Society of Ontario. 

Rausch says she feels thankful for having a space like the legal association, as her graduation approaches.

“Almost all of us are going to graduate, I feel very thankful for all the support from our members in the committee,” she says. 

The legal association will be opening their executive to a re-election come fall 2025.

Dion Desserre, 31, is Humber’s Legal Association communications executive. Similarly to Rausch, Desserre was introduced to the association in his first year in the bachelor of paralegal studies. 

Desserre was hired for the communications executive position last spring, priorly he was a general member within the association. 

Desserre says he always wanted to be part of a student’s club like the legal association. 

“I wanted to join a club that would allow me to meet legal-minded individuals, and expand my own legal knowledge,” he says.

Desserre is in charge of running the association’s social media, coordinating events and campaigns, as well as assisting student’s inquiries. 

Desserre says he has enjoyed working in the legal association. 

“It has been amazing, I get the opportunity to make an impact in the association and further our reach in both campuses. I get to participate in building an inclusive diverse environment where people can come together and speak about legal issues, how it impacts our future and how we can make change,” he says. 

Desserre says the association is always looking for more students to join. 

“We are always looking for more students to come join us, we are open to everyone, to all students willing to learn and discuss their thoughts on the legal system,” he says. 

Learn more about the legal association and upcoming events at: https://humberlegal.com/