My Future in Law: - Bennett Jones

My Best Assignment
Daniel Masliyah
McGill University
One of the most interesting assignments I worked on this summer involved preparing
briefing materials for the Bennett Jones mission to China. It combined both legal
and market research, so I learned a lot about cutting-edge issues in the China-Canada
relationship.
Graeme Harrison, Calgary office
I was responsible for managing the status of all of the material contract assignments for
one of the biggest M &A deals in recent history. In this capacity, I worked very closely
with my mentor and a senior partner. I contacted clients directly and was given a lot of
individual responsibility – it was a great learning experience.
Fabian Abele, Toronto office
The best assignment I worked on this summer was a large fraud file, where I was
directly involved with meeting with the client, drafting a defence, as well as drafting
the legal arguments for the factum. I worked extensively with one associate and one
partner on the file, and they both made me feel valuable and part of a team. At the end
of a week’s worth of meetings with the client, the client specifically told me that they
really loved working with me, which made the whole process more worthwhile and
enriching.
Elissa Ferrari, Toronto office
The best assignment I worked on was in relation to a $75 million private placement
for the creation of a cross border real estate trust. Bennett Jones was representing the
lead agent on the offering. I took part in reviewing the offering memorandum, but
played a substantially larger role conducting the legal due diligence on the Canadian
corporation creating and managing the fund. This included visiting the corporation
and their counsel’s offices to review relevant contracts and documents. I, along with an
associate, wrote the 38 page due diligence report.
Arnie Fridhandler, Calgary office
The best assignment I worked on this summer was an appeal. I was responsible for
drafting the factum, and my basic work product was filed in the Alberta Court of
Appeal (after being approved by the partner in charge of the file, of course).
Gabrielle Maunier, Calgary office
The best assignment I had this summer was contesting an application for default
judgment in Provincial Court. One of our clients was out of the country and unable
to attend and due to the size and nature of the matter I was asked to do it. It was an
interesting experience as I got the application dismissed and I was thankful the lawyer
trusted me enough to attend court on my own.
Mike Selnes, Calgary office
I was asked to co-write a paper with a lawyer about priorities between first mortgagees
and second mortgagees. I will be coming back in September to present the paper in
front of the entire Real Estate practice group, which is an amazing opportunity that few
students from other firms would have.
Michelle Seto, Toronto office
During my first week at Bennett Jones, I picked up an assignment that required me
to read through all the disclosure documents on a class action file. While the task was
grueling, I became the expert on the file and continued to be the go-to person for
any questions; as a consequence, I prepared all of the memoranda and documents
used in the examination of over 20 witnesses. The trust that the partners’ place in us as
students is humbling, but it also matches their expectation of excellence.
Matthijs van Gaalen, Toronto office
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