MEET THE FJC TEAM
Raquel Medeiros
Queen's University Faculty of Law
Raquel Medeiros is an incoming 2nd year student at Queen’s University Faculty of Law. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Before law school, Raquel was a former competitive swimmer, lifeguard, and swim coach for the Mississauga Aquatic Club. Here, she developed strong interpersonal skills and a deep sense of responsibility for the safety and well-being of others, qualities which are vital in family law. Working with people of all ages and backgrounds increased Raquel’s sense of empathy that she hopes to bring forward helping clients going through challenging family situations. In law school, as a volunteer with PBSC Radio, Raquel facilitated research on children within the family law system, furthering her interest in bringing access to justice in the family law field.
Outside of law, Raquel enjoys going for a swim, crocheting, and doing escape rooms.
Emily Ernst
University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Emily Ernst is a second-year student at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Before attending law school, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society with a minor in Indigenous Studies, graduating with high distinction.
Emily is passionate about facilitating access to justice, particularly in the field of family law. Having completed a Transformative Mediation Certificate at Community Justice Initiatives, she believes in a trauma-informed, compassionate approach to family law matters.
Emily's first-year experience at law school was not confined to the classroom. Through Pro Bono Students Canada, she actively volunteered at Luke's Place, a non-profit organization that supports women leaving abusive relationships as they navigate the family law process. This practical experience, coupled with her eagerness to learn, fuels her ambition to provide clients with quality services and solutions to their legal challenges.
Sarah Bonner-Proulx
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Sarah is a student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University. Sarah was born and raised in Northern Manitoba.
Prior to law school, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Life Sciences at the University of Manitoba while working full-time as the Vice-President of Advocacy for the university's students' union.
Sarah is committed to facilitating access to justice and providing quality services to historically underserved populations. When she’s not at work or school, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors, experimenting with new recipes and exploring new places with her friends and dog, Sasha.
Meena Sankarkumar
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Meena Sankarkumar is entering her third year at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. She attained an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University. Prior to starting law school, she worked in the Ontario Public Service.
In her second year of school, she volunteered with Elizabeth Fry – Toronto where she was responsible for developing and presenting public legal education materials to community members. This experience helped solidify her interest in working on social justice initiatives. She is very excited to join PBSC’s Family Justice Centre as a Student Caseworker to help families access and navigate the family law system.
Outside of law, Meena enjoys reading, biking, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Vael.
Sophia Tripodi
Osgoode Hall Law School
Sophia Tripodi is currently in her third year at Osgoode Hall Law School. Before pursuing her Juris Doctor, she dedicated her time to volunteering as a Conflict Resolution Mentor for the Peace-by-Peace Non-Profit Organization. In this role, she engaged elementary school students across the Greater Toronto Area, teaching them essential skills such as active listening, de-escalation, and effective communication. Through youth outreach, Sophia identified barriers hindering access to the Family Justice System.
Driven by her passion for family law, Sophia sought out practical experience in the field. She completed internships at boutique family law firms and the Family Responsibility Office, further solidifying her commitment to skill development. Sophia is particularly interested in honing her oral advocacy and mediation skills, which has led her to enroll in the Osgoode Mediation Intensive- Small Claims Court Division.
Outside of her academic pursuits, Sophia finds joy in her hobbies. She has a love for animals and photography, often combining both interests by capturing adorable pictures of her poodles, Theo and Luna.
Suraiya Damji
Western University Faculty of Law
Suraiya has just completed 1L at Western University. She previously attended the University of Guelph where she studied Criminal Justice and Public Policy with a minor in Psychology.
Her main interests include Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and family law, which she has pursued by achieving a certificate in family mediation and completing an internship with the Dispute Resolution Centre at Western Law. She aims to continue developing her ADR skills and understanding of family law in hopes of assisting individuals better navigate the family justice system.
In her free time, Suraiya enjoys karaoke sessions with her friends, watching romance shows and movies, and trying out new baking recipes.
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Fiona Mucko
University of Windsor Faculty of Law
Fiona is an incoming second-year student at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Prior to attending law school, she completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Psychology and Political Science at the University of Toronto.
In her first year of law school, Fiona volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada on a research project and was the first-year representative for the Windsor Family Law Society. She is passionate about facilitating access to justice within the family law sphere and eager to help individuals navigate their legal challenges.
Outside of law, Fiona enjoys rock climbing, yoga and spending quality time with friends and family.
David Baxter
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law
David is a Guelph resident entering his third year at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University. Before starting law school, David had a successful ten-year career as an academic librarian, including five years in the mental health and addictions sector. His experiences seeing how legislation and policies affect social determinants of health were a driving factor in his decision to become a lawyer.
David plans to practice family law and is especially interested in serving the unique needs of 2SLGBTQ+ and polyamorous families. Through PBSC, he previously volunteered with the KindSpace Trans ID Clinic, and he intends to offer pro bono trans ID services in his own community once he is a lawyer.
In his leisure time, David is often in a karate class, playing video games, following professional sumo wrestling, or spending time with his family.