Abigail Green, JD ‘22, Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka, JD-BCom ’23, and Eric Fleming, JD ‘23, have achieved an impressive milestone in their legal careers by securing positions at the highest court in the country.
“The Faculty of Law is proud of the deep ties it has with the Supreme Court,” says Kristen Boon, the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean of the Common Law Section, who clerked for former Supreme Court Justice Ian Binnie. “One of the reasons students come to uOttawa is to be in our nation’s capital, and to be close — literally and figuratively — to the most important national institutions: Parliament, government departments, agencies and the Supreme Court.”
Abigail Green will clerk in Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin’s chambers. Abigail is a registered member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Her commitment to Indigenous rights and representation is evident through her involvement as an Indigenous Learner Academic Mentor and her current role as an Educator with Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year (ILOY)at the Royal Military College of Canada.
Having already completed a clerkship at the Federal Court and currently pursuing her LLM at Queen's University, Abigail excited about the next step in her legal journey. “I am incredibly excited for my upcoming clerkship with Justice O’Bonsawin - it is almost unimaginable. It is an immense honour and privilege to serve the first Indigenous Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.
“I am extremely grateful for my community, family, and mentors, including those at uOttawa Faculty of Law, who have continuously supported me in my legal career.”
Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka has accepted a clerkship in the chambers of Justice Mary T. Moreau. During her studies at uOttawa, Bernice-Marie distinguished herself through her active involvement as Executive Editor of the Ottawa Law Review, as well as a Research Assistant for Professor Anne Levesque, a Teaching Assistant for Professor Suzanne Bouclin and a Research Intern for the Technoship Program with Professor Jeremy de Beer.
Bernice-Marie worked as a Research Assistant at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2022-2023 as well as a guide-interpreter at the Court from 2020-2022. She is actively involved in her community, as a volunteer for the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program and Fora Network for Change. From 2021-2023 she was Coordinator of the uOttawa Business and Juris Doctor (JD-BCom) Mentorship Program, and she has served as a Board member for several organizations, including VP of Finance for the French Common Law Student Association (RÉCLEF).
Currently completing a judicial clerkship with Justice George R. Locke of the Federal Court of Appeal, Bernice-Marie expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the important work of the Court and collaborate with her future colleagues. "I'm looking forward to working with Judge Moreau, as well as my future colleagues. Being able to contribute to the important work of the Court is a privilege, and I am excited about the prospect of tackling complex legal issues!"
Eric Fleming will join Justice Suzanne Côté’s chambers. Before pursuing law, Eric completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba, studying Political Studies and Philosophy. He received the Faculty of Arts Medal in the Honours Degree for the highest grade-point average in any Honours Program in the Faculty.
During his undergraduate degree, he assisted at a human rights and social policy consultancy focusing on the rights of Indigenous peoples, locally, nationally, and internationally. Following this, he moved to Ottawa, completed a Master of Arts in International Affairs at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and worked as an analyst at the Department of Global Affairs on Canada’s Middle East Strategy and response to the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Eric completed his JD in 2023, with a specialization in Environmental Law. While at uOttawa he was Executive Editor (English) at the Ottawa Law Review and worked as a research associate at Smart Prosperity Institute, focusing on critical habitat protections, area-based conservation, and forest carbon offsets. He is in the process of completing his articles as a l Law Clerk at the Ontario Court of Appeal. When not in books, you can find Eric canoeing in the backwoods of Manitoba. Following his time at the Supreme Court, he hopes to return to Manitoba to practice law.
Reflecting on his journey, Eric expressed gratitude for the support he received during law school. "My time at the University of Ottawa gave me a tremendous advantage in applying to the Supreme Court. Whatever success I have attained has been due to the overwhelming support, wisdom, and kindness of uOttawa’s professors and the collegial backing of my peers."
The achievements of these three inspiring alumni underscore the Common Law Section's commitment to producing exceptional legal professionals equipped to address the most pressing legal challenges facing society. More than 100 Faculty graduates have clerked at the Supreme Court.
This year, uOttawa students have also secured clerkships with the Ontario, Federal and Nova Scotia Courts of Appeal, as well as numerous trial courts.
Dean Boon also stated:
“Our students are so uniquely fortunate to have the opportunity to regularly interact with members of the Court throughout their studies. It is part of what makes the University of Ottawa so special.
“My year at the SCC provided incredible experiences I will always remember. The intellectual stimulation, mentorship, lifelong friendships were fantastic. I know that this experience will be transformative for Abigail, Eric, and Bernice-Marie.”