Business and Arts Clinic summer students left to right: Ken Vong (2L), Lisa Haydey (3L), Moira Kennedy (3L), Serena Bevilacqua (2L), Kassandra Taverner (3L), Connor Giesbrecht (3L), Kaeten Wadwa (3L).
L. Kerry Vickar Business and Arts Clinics summer student team ready to help
Faculty of Law experiential learning clinics welcome record number of students
The Faculty of Law’s L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts have expanded capacity this summer, hiring a record number of seven law students.
The Clinics are operated by law students and supervised by experienced lawyers to provide free legal services to clients anywhere with an internet connection in Manitoba. Students work directly with clients to gain practical skills and to help clients address everyday legal needs in various areas of the law including corporate, commercial and intellectual property. Demand for Clinic services, innovation and expansion of services has driven the need to hire more law students this summer to meet the increased needs of Manitobans who can not afford legal assistance.
MEET THE TEAM
Lisa Haydey (3L) [MPT/2020] is thrilled to return to the Business Law and Arts Clinics, where she and Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020] have worked since May 2023, this time as Project Coordinators. Lisa holds a Masters in Physiotherapy from the University of Manitoba and a BA in Honours Psychology from the University of Winnipeg, where she also fulfilled the requirements for a 3-year BA in Conflict Resolution.
Lisa Haydey, 3L
Lisa loves applying her diverse educational background to help clients. “I’m thrilled to be returning to the Business Law and Arts Clinics. Through my work with the Clinics, I get to help Manitoban artists and entrepreneurs every day, working with an amazing team of people. I couldn’t have imagined a better experience,” says Haydey.
She adds, “As a student, working with the Clinics has provided me with vital practical legal experience. It’s wonderful being able to share that with incoming students and to continue growing my own skills as an aspiring lawyer. After only a couple of weeks, our whole team is managing files, collaborating, and sharing useful research with each other. It’s a testament to how well our supervisors, Nick Slonosky [LLB/1979, BComm (Hons)/1976] and Yvan Larocque, run the Clinics, and to the dedication of each of the Students-at-Law who are all inspired to help others in need of legal assistance.”
Kassandra Taverner, 3L
Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020] shares Lisa’s enthusiasm and thoughts about returning to the Clinics. Kassandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Manitoba and is an artist, mainly working with clay. She believes this summer’s team, much like last summer, will (again) be the Best Ever.
Kassandra also shared her thoughts about interest in the Arts Clinic, “As public knowledge of the Arts Clinic has increased, it’s remarkable to see the number of online intake forms increase as well. It confirms the very real need Manitoban artists have for the Clinic’s services: providing education and protecting artists’ rights.”
Moira Kennedy, 3L
Prior to law school, Moira Kennedy (3L) commenced a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies. Her passion for helping businesses and entrepreneurs comes from working in her grandparents’ small business as a young adult. She went on to work in a provincial Crown corporation, helping her understand businesses big and small.
“Through my work as the chair of the board of directors at a local non-profit women’s centre, I know how vital legal services can be, though they are often unaffordable or inaccessible,” says Moira. “I am excited to help remove this barrier for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits at the Business Law Clinic.”
Connor Giesbrecht, 3L
Connor Giesbrecht (3L) started undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba before entering law school. Connor is interested in pursuing corporate commercial and intellectual property law as future areas of practice, and is excited to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and artists achieve their goals and learn more about Manitoba’s local business community.
“As most of the opportunities I have pursued in my time in law school so far have been advocacy focused, I am looking forward to developing my skills in the field of business law while helping the individuals and organizations that drive Manitoba’s economy succeed,” says Connor.
Kaeten Wadwa, 3L
Kaeten Wadwa (3L) [BA/2022] completed a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) in Psychology and has served as a committed volunteer throughout his life. Driven by his passion for business law and desire to give back to Manitobans, Kaeten is excited to provide legal assistance to businesses and artists in need.
Kaeten shared why he was drawn to the Clinics, “When I first learned of the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and the services it offered, I immediately wanted to get involved. It presented a unique opportunity for me to practically explore the breadth of business law while making a tangible impact on the lives of Manitobans. I am excited to strengthen the Clinic’s community-minded reputation and support local businesses in a meaningful and constructive way.”
Ken Vong, 2L
Prior to law school, Ken Vong (2L) [BComm (Hons)/2022] completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the Asper School of Business. Ken has a passion for advocacy and strives to provide business owners and entrepreneurs with the necessary assistance to navigate their individual needs.
“Legal advice should be accessible to everyone, I hope to alleviate certain barriers that are faced by small business owners,” says Ken. “With both the Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Clinic for the Arts I am looking forward to connecting with entrepreneurs to help them succeed.”
Before attending law school, Serena Bevilacqua (2L) [BA/2019] pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Psychology and Sociology. This interdisciplinary background has equipped her with a deep understanding of human behavior and social dynamics, which she integrates into her approach to legal advocacy.
Serena Bevilacqua, 2L
Serena’s academic journey has instilled in her a passion for social justice and a commitment to providing access to legal assistance for the local community who do not already have a lawyer and cannot afford legal services. Serena emphasizes the unparalleled learning experience that the Business Law Clinic will provide to law students to practise, support and advocate, by providing free legal assistance.
The Clinics will continue to operate at full-speed throughout the summer, providing free assistance to entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups, innovators and family businesses, non-profits, charities, artists, art, culture and community groups that do not have a lawyer and cannot afford legal assistance. Students at the Clinics provide advice, and information, conduct legal research and draft legal documents while upholding the standards of social responsibility of practicing law in Manitoba.
Addressing the persistent challenge of access to justice remains a central focus of the law students and the Clinics’ work. As part of their summer experiential learning, the law students will be actively involved in community outreach with those involved in Manitoba’s vibrant entrepreneurial and artistic ecosystem to learn more about their needs and what students and the Clinics can do to improve service to those with unmet legal needs.
For more information about the Business Law Clinic, visit the Business Law Clinic’s website, or follow the Business Law Clinic on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn. For more information about the Arts Law Clinic, visit the Arts Clinic’s website, or follow the Arts Clinic on Instagram, Twitter (X) and LinkedIn.