For a fuller picture of my past work experience, please visit my LinkedIn profile.
Education
McGill University, Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Bachelor of Common Law (LLB) — May 2019
Vermont Law School, Environmental Law, Strategic Litigation, Mediation — Exchange, Summer 2018
New York University, M.A. in Food Studies: Food Systems (Summa Cum Laude) — May 2015
Emerson College, B.S. in Journalism (Magna Cum Laude), Honors Program — May 2011
Law + Policy Experience
Counsel - Department of Justice | July 2020 - Present
+ I provide legal advice to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Judicial Clerk - Federal Court of Canada | Aug. 2019 - July 2020
+ I assisted the Honourable Associate Chief Justice with research & editing, attended hearings, and conducted various long-term research and writing projects for the Court
Summer Student - FASKEN | May 2019 - August 2019
+ I worked with lawyers in the environment and agri-business sectors
Founder and Clinical Director - The Food & Agriculture Law Clinic | July 2018 - Present
+ I manage & coordinate law students doing pro bono legal research for food-focused non-profits
Research Assistant - Law, Governance & Society Lab at McGill | Aug. 2018 - June 2019
+ I conducted research & drafted papers for Prof. Sebastien Jodoin, with a focus on the policy impacts of strategic
environmental litigation
Consultant - Compass Start-Up Legal Clinic | Sept. 2018 - May 2019
+ I supported start-up clients by providing research & legal information on various aspects of business law
Judicial Clerk - Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAQ) | Sept. 2018 - May 2019
+ I assisted Real Estate division judges of this provincial administrative tribunal with research & drafting
Research Assistant - The Labour Law & Development Research Lab at McGill | Oct. 2017 - May 2019
+ I conducted research for Canada Research Chair in Transnational Labour Law Prof. Adelle Blackett,
including editing her book on international domestic work standard-setting for Cornell University Press
Legal Volunteer - Pro Bono Students Canada | Sept. 2017 - June 2018
+ I supported care worker clients of PINAY Quebec in filing immigration, criminal & labour law claims
through court visit accompaniment, drafting legal memos & responding to queries
Projects Chair - The Food Law Student Network | Jan. 2018 - May 2019
+ I managed and coordinated policy & legal research and draft sample legislation for food organizations
Co-Founder and Managing VP - The McGill Food Law Society | Sept. 2016 - May 2019
+ I built McGill Law’s only food law organization; maintained strategic partnerships with lawyers, advocates & academics;
and managed branding and communications
Legal Intern - Harvard University’s Food Law & Policy Clinic | May 2017 - Aug. 2017
+ I advocated for progressive food waste policies to members of Congress and their teams;
researched & wrote op-eds, reports, toolkits about laws and policies at all levels of government
Select Journalism Experience
Freelance Journalist for VICE, Eater, Forbes, GOOD, Lucky Peach, etc. | Sept. 2013 - May 2019
+ I reported and wrote features about U.S. and Canadian food policy for major media outlets
Editor-in-Chief for Taste Talks | Feb. 2016 - Aug. 2016
+ I built and ran an editorial platform for a multi-city food festival series’ audience of 50,000+
+ I managed a $75,000 budget and a team of over 70 freelance contributors
Content Curator for Facebook | July 2015 - Feb. 2016
+ I curated top content for FB’s platforms and advised media executives on food-related projects
Research Assistant for Michael Moss | Aug. 2015 - Aug. 2016
+ I assisted Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Michael Moss with research for his book on food addiction, advised him on social media, and coordinated several appearances
Organizing + Community Work
Admin Team Member, The Montreal Restaurant Workers Relief Fund | March 2019 - Present
Co-Organizer of The Christie Bike Ride | May 2017 - Sept. 2018
+ I organized McGill Law’s annual charity bike ride, which supports access to justice initiatives
Co-Director of Healthy Legal Minds | Sept. 2016 - Oct. 2018
+ I raised awareness about mental health and wellness in the legal profession through advocacy and student programming
Montreal Coordinator for the Canadian Cross-Border Legal Coalition | April 2017 - Aug. 2017
+ I coordinated volunteer lawyers and students at Trudeau airport during the 2016 US travel ban, as well as drafted press releases and translations
Select Awards + Scholarships
Human Rights Working Group Bursary & The Internship Excellence Award | May 2017
+ Awarded two bursaries for my work at Harvard
The Frances S. Norych Scholarship | 2016-2017
+ Awarded to an incoming law student “with a distinguished academic record who is expected to enrich the McGill community”
Dunn Robbins Wine & Food Scholarship | June 2015
+ Awarded by Les Dames D’Escoffier New York for outstanding work in food writing and education
President’s Student Leadership Award | May 2015
+ Awarded by the President of NYU for my work with the Wagner Food Policy Alliance, a student alliance between NYU’s Food Studies and Public Service schools to advance food policy reform
John C. Zacharis Scholarship | 2007-2011
+ Awarded a scholarship for demonstration of academic excellence, professional initiative, and contributions to the Emerson community
Honours Scholar | 2007-2011
+ One of 60 out of 800 incoming Emerson students awarded a half-tuition scholarship and enrolled in a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, culminating in a thesis project about food media
Languages: Fluent in English + Fluent in French + Intermediate in Spanish