Students connect with potential employers at the annual Windsor Law Career Fair, held at Caesars Windsor. The event brought together employers, alumni and students for networking and career exploration. (SARA MEIKLE/University of Windsor)
By Sara Meikle
Each year, the Windsor Law community comes together in a show of mentorship, opportunity and connection that reflects the school’s deep commitment to its students and alumni.
The Windsor Law Career Fair returned March 4 at Caesars Windsor, drawing nearly 300 students — the largest turnout in the event’s history — along with alumni and employers for a day of panels, roundtables and one-on-one networking.
A cornerstone of Windsor Law’s calendar, the fair provides an invaluable bridge between students exploring career paths and firms seeking emerging talent. This year’s event reflected the diverse opportunities across the legal profession, with representatives from legal clinics, employment, tax and litigation boutique firms, small and mid-sized practices, national “Big Law” firms, and municipal, provincial and federal government offices.
This year, the fair featured 79 employer booths, more than 170 employer representatives, five panels with 33 panelists, two roundtable events with 42 employers and 60 employers participating in coffee chats, reflecting the breadth of opportunities available to students.
The Windsor Law Career Services Office (CSO) is central to the success of the event and the Law School’s broader career programming. Operating exclusively for Windsor Law, the CSO leverages its extensive network of alumni, community partners and employers to connect students with meaningful career opportunities.
Windsor Law Dean Reem Bahdi highlighted the immense effort that goes into making the Career Fair a success and the benefits it brings to the entire community.
“This event doesn’t just happen. A tremendous amount of planning goes into this day to ensure it’s meaningful for students, alumni and employers alike,” she said. “The scale and energy of the day reflect the CSO's dedication to our community and showcase Windsor Law’s commitment to preparing students while fostering lasting relationships across the profession.”
For first-year law student Abby McDermott, the career fair was an unforgettable experience.
“This was a great opportunity to speak directly to employers and learn not only about the work they do, but the culture of the workplaces and opportunities for growth in the industry,” she said.
McDermott highlighted the benefit of combining structured sessions with personal interactions. The panels and roundtables provided valuable insights, while one-on-one conversations at booths allowed her to connect directly with employers, ask questions and build confidence for next year’s recruitment.
“I was able to connect with employers about how my career aspirations align with the work they are doing. Putting faces and names to large firms made the process feel less intimidating and more personal,” she said.
Mary Kolitsopoulos, another first-year student, said the event offered clarity and reassurance for students navigating their first steps in the legal world.
“As a first-generation law student, I did not know much about working as a lawyer. Being able to talk to upper-year students and practising lawyers helped ease many stresses about entering the workplace,” she said.
The boutique firm roundtables gave Kolitsopoulos a chance to hear directly from lawyers about different paths to articling and associate positions, showing her that career journeys aren’t always linear. She especially valued the one-on-one conversations, which felt more accessible than cold emails and allowed her to build personal connections.
“It's a must-go event. There are invaluable connections to be made, and incredible stories shared to help guide you on your path to becoming a lawyer,” she said.
The fair also emphasizes alumni involvement, a highlight for both students and employers. Amanda Allen, a 2024 Windsor Law graduate and now a family law associate at Siskinds LLP, returned as an employer this year.
“It was a full-circle moment,” she said. “The recruitment process can feel overwhelming, so I was happy to share my insights both as an alumna and a lawyer to help improve the journey for future candidates.”
Allen highlighted the impact Windsor Law alumni have had at her firm.
“Windsor Law alumni consistently bring strong values, teamwork and professionalism that align with our firm’s culture,” she said. “They contribute meaningfully to our teams and help foster an environment of collegiality and inclusion.”
Chris Osei-Kusi, a 2022 Windsor Law graduate and associate in capital markets and securities at McMillan LLP, said the fair offers immense value to employers.
“It gives us the opportunity to interact with bright minds who are eager to learn about the firm,” Osei-Kusi said. “Each year, we leave energized by the quality of the students we meet in Windsor and the conversations we have.”
For Osei-Kusi, the students’ preparation stood out.
“Each question was well thought out, reflecting a genuine understanding of our practice areas and the legal industry more broadly and made for meaningful conversations,” he said.
With its unique combination of alumni mentorship, employer engagement and student participation, the Windsor Law Career Fair sets the Law School apart, offering an experience few other schools can match.
The event continues to solidify Windsor Law’s reputation as a leader in preparing aspiring lawyers, while showcasing the talent, professionalism and potential of its students and alumni.