Five Reasons to Attend USask Law

Co-authored by Joel Hacker & Sam Rezazadeh

The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law presents a wide array of in-class and out-of-class opportunities. Make no mistake, EVERY law school in Canada has a respectable program and offers a quality legal education. But, as USask law students, we hope to share a few primary attributes that we believe help make USask Law one of the many outstanding places for students to complete their legal education.

1. The College of Law’s Collegial Environment — Joel Hacker

The College of Law student body is a highly welcoming and collegial environment. As a student from Ontario who did not know anyone from Saskatchewan prior to starting law school, I felt instantly welcomed by both the faculty and the student body. In particular, because the Class of 2023 completed the entire first year of law school online, having an inclusive and supportive learning environment made all the difference in the world. Law school has a reputation for being competitive, largely due to the realities that the grading curve presents (i.e., only a limited number of students can achieve top grades). However, at USask Law students are more than willing to form study groups and help one another succeed, so you will not feel the competition as much as the support from your peers.

Student wellness services also play a prominent role in USask Law’s culture. In addition to the University of Saskatchewan Student Wellness Centre, specific wellness services are available to law students. For example, “Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Inc” is an organization that provides a free, confidential assistance program for Saskatchewan lawyers, judges, law students, and their immediate family members. The USask College of Law actively promotes this service. They also participate in “Just Balance” — another initiative that provides mental health support to law students and the broader legal profession. Law school is a demanding journey, and having these resources at one’s disposal can impart a lot of peace of mind during the more challenging times.

2. The Career Development Office — Sam Rezazadeh

Located on the second floor of the Law building sits the Career Development office, held by Mrs. Shari Thompson at the moment, where students can find helpful information about professional life during and after graduating from law school. In Saskatchewan, the majority of recruitment starts from year one (the 1L year), and the Career office holds many Professional Development sessions right from the start of the academic year.

The Career Development website has all the information that the students need to search and apply for jobs. In addition, the office sends out weekly emails to the students reminding them of important deadlines and events. The office is also available to conduct cover letter reviews, résumé reviews, and mock interviews.

The office has connections with almost all the law firms and legal practitioners across Canada. It is always ready to connect the students with the right people for networking and career advice. This proactive communication between the Career Development Office and the students sets the College of Law at USask apart.

This office also guides USask law students from day one of their law school journeys until they secure an articling position post-graduation. The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law has had a more than 95% hiring rate in the past few years. So when a student decides to start their journey at USask Law, they can be sure that they are never abandoned when it comes to the career market (even after they have graduated).

3. The Law Building/Surrounding Geographic Area — Joel Hacker

The University of Saskatchewan is a very scenic area with tremendous architecture and history on campus. In addition to the College of Law building’s aesthetic appeal, it is also simple to navigate. The law library possesses some of the oldest records in the country in its archives section, which is a valuable asset when it comes to research assignments. There is also a rich history at USask Law. Not only is it the third-oldest law school in Canada, having been founded in 1912, but it was also the first law school in western Canada. As a result, there is a vast and robust alumni network for USask law students to cultivate.

As a side note, while Saskatoon is famous for its brutally cold winters, the USask campus has underground tunnels that allow students to minimize their outdoor time in the frigid temperatures!

4. The Courses — Sam Rezazadeh

USask Law delivers a variety of courses that satisfies academic and legal needs. Everything from business law to personal law courses is offered. Indigenous and Aboriginal law courses will be one of the fundamental parts of your Juris Doctor degree. The Indigenous Law Centre at USask Law publishes the Canadian Native Law Reporter, one of the leading publications on this subject.

USask Law also has a somewhat liberal form of pre-requisite courses. For example, Civil Procedure and Evidence courses are not compulsory courses. This flexibility allows students who want to explore other areas of the law and take a tailored course load to their interests. I used this to my advantage to take some extra classes such as Immigration Law and Labour and Employment law in my second year while finishing all my degree pre-requisites. My 3L year is now open for me to take any courses that I like or even go on an exchange program.

USask Law is also renowned for its moot teams. A moot is where teams from different law schools participate in mock trials or negotiation competitions. Our school offers moots in many areas to choose from, including international law, environmental law, tax law, and indigenous law (to name a few). In addition to the moots, the College of Law is heavily involved with Pro Bono projects in Saskatchewan. These projects deliver a hands-on experience to law students through organizations like “CLASSIC” (Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner Inc.).

5. Overall Experience — Joel & Sam

Right from the onset, we felt welcomed and well supported by USask. The information for career services and classes is always shared online, and the faculty and staff at USask Law are approachable for any student questions. The faculty genuinely wants the students to succeed and carve out their own success stories.

The world of the law, especially in Saskatchewan’s legal community, is heavily based on making connections and maintaining good relationships with people. At USask, you will learn how to professionally approach law firms for jobs, contact your professors for academic and professional support, and present yourselves in the best ways possible.

Upon graduating from USask Law, we believe that students will be both academically and professionally poised to adjust to new challenges and responsibilities in the legal world.