Law student discovered the power of compassion thanks to teachers

Each year, the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (The Centre) hosts a Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception (STRR) which gives outstanding students nominated by their respective faculty an opportunity to thank and celebrate two educators – one from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and one from their time at the University of Manitoba – who have most inspired them.

This year’s STRR reception was held on May 5, 2025 with Cody Buhay selected as the Faculty of Law’s Outstanding Student. In turn, Buhay chose his Grade 11 and 12 Math and Chemistry teacher, Sabrina NganTian-Angeles and UM Faculty of Law Clinical Counsel, Allison Fenske as teachers who had the most lasting impact on his education and life.

“Both of these teachers have taught me the same and valuable life lesson: the power of compassion,” Buhay said in his reception speech, explaining that he chose law as a career because he wanted to have a career where he could help people by using his critical thinking skills.  

He was drawn towards criminal defence law because it involved advocating for marginalized people who could not advocate for themselves. “The most important thing I’ve learned to best prepare to practice in this area of law is to have compassion for clients,” he said.

…Fenske taught me about the importance of compassion for clients when working as a lawyer. In her classroom, compassion was not just talked about. It was demonstrated.
– Cody Buhay, 3L

When he was chosen as the Faculty of Law’s most outstanding student for The Centre’s STRR event, Buhay chose NganTsen-Angeles and Fenske because they best taught him the power of compassion. In high school, Buhay shared that he was not a very good student. “I would describe myself as a bit of a trouble-maker back then. I tested patience and pushed boundaries. However, Madame NganTsen-Angeles never gave up on me. Instead of frustration, she met me with kindness and calm, day after day.”

In retrospect, he said, “I will always remember the kindness that Madame NganTsen-Angeles showed me and I will try to carry that forward to my future clients.”

STRR awards 2025 outstanding law student Cody Buhay (middle) with (left to right) Dr.  Jennifer L. Schulz, Faculty of Law Associate Dean (Academic), Sabrina NganTsen-Anderson (K-12), Allison Fenske (post-secondary) and Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, UM VP Academic.

When considering his post-secondary instructors, he realized that it was Fenske who best taught him about compassion. Fenske was his supervisor at the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre UMCLC during the summer after his second year of law school, and then taught him throughout his clinical experience course at UMCLC during his third year.

“[Allison] Fenske taught me about the importance of compassion for clients when working as a lawyer. In her classroom, compassion was not just talked about. It was demonstrated,” he said. “She taught me that being a good criminal defence lawyer means more than knowledge of the law. It means understanding your clients. Many come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. They might not trust easily or communicate clearly. Some may have things going on in their lives that prevent them from fully engaging in the legal process. Despite these challenges, these clients still deserve to be heard and understood.”

More than once, Fenske reminded him of the importance of compassion when working with specific clients. She especially reminded him to “give clients some grace and the benefit of the doubt.”

He concluded, “Both of these educators that I have spoken of tonight have taught me that compassion is not a weakness: it is a strength. And it is one I will carry with me as I pursue a career in law.”

Please watch Cody Buhay’s full speech (starting at 1:12:20) on the University of Manitoba’s YouTube Channel.

Story submitted by Faculty of Law.